Carwash or keyed?

[atalarico]

So, being the anal retentive type, I noticed something weird on my 4Runner on Saturday when I went to go replace my radiator. It looked like I had gotten keyed! I was furious and thinking of all the possible places it could have happened or how it could have happened. The driver's side scratches were about level with the door handle and in sort of a wavy pattern. I found a few on the tail gate, and found a few on the passenger side as well.

Luckily, I have a bottle of touch-up paint from Toyota, and I figured this would be a good time to learn how to use it. As I was filling in the scratches with the ballpoint pen tip (super neat feature, btw), I noticed the scratches *seemed* mechanical in nature. Just something about it made me think, "Oh, I wonder if it was the brush carwash that I'd been going to for the past few years."

Now, don't get me wrong, my paint has seen better days and has more than a few battle scars. However, I like to be the one doing the scarring, and the thought of being keyed is/was unsettling.

So, I thought about it, and I think it might be the case that it was the wash. Even during the wash on Thursday, I kind of remember thinking that the brushes seemed closer than normal and a bit firmer.

Is there any way to definitively tell whether it was a car wash or some punk ass with a knife/key? Since it was last week, and I've painted them, I'm not going to go cause a scene at the car wash. There's not much I can do there, right?

 

[JayRolla]

So, being the anal retentive type, I noticed something weird on my 4Runner on Saturday when I went to go replace my radiator. It looked like I had gotten keyed! I was furious and thinking of all the possible places it could have happened or how it could have happened. The driver's side scratches were about level with the door handle and in sort of a wavy pattern. I found a few on the tail gate, and found a few on the passenger side as well.

Luckily, I have a bottle of touch-up paint from Toyota, and I figured this would be a good time to learn how to use it. As I was filling in the scratches with the ballpoint pen tip (super neat feature, btw), I noticed the scratches *seemed* mechanical in nature. Just something about it made me think, "Oh, I wonder if it was the brush carwash that I'd been going to for the past few years."

Now, don't get me wrong, my paint has seen better days and has more than a few battle scars. However, I like to be the one doing the scarring, and the thought of being keyed is/was unsettling.

So, I thought about it, and I think it might be the case that it was the wash. Even during the wash on Thursday, I kind of remember thinking that the brushes seemed closer than normal and a bit firmer.

Is there any way to definitively tell whether it was a car wash or some punk ass with a knife/key? Since it was last week, and I've painted them, I'm not going to go cause a scene at the car wash. There's not much I can do there, right?

Car wash should not take paint off.

Have you gone wheeling in any brush or trees lately? Good old Colorado Pin Striping?

 

[atalarico]

Car wash should not take paint off.

Have you gone wheeling in any brush or trees lately? Good old Colorado Pin Striping?

I did think about that possibility, as we went wheeling/camping/climbing up at Hermit Pass two weekends ago. However, I didn't go through any tight trees or brush! I would have heard this, I think, because it went down to the white (primer?) and one went down to the metal.

PS Don't go to Hermit Pass...it was terrible. All the campsites were unoccupied and located in these really stupid places with dumb views of mountains and junk, and the road went all the way to just below 13,000 feet with access to a couple awesome 13er climbs. Really, don't go. /sarcasm

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I did think about that possibility, as we went wheeling/camping/climbing up at Hermit Pass two weekends ago. However, I didn't go through any tight trees or brush! I would have heard this, I think, because it went down to the white (primer?) and one went down to the metal.

That doesn't sound like woods-pinstriping.

 

[atalarico]

That doesn't sound like woods-pinstriping.

Yeah, I have quite a bit of woods pin striping already, and it's not like this. I guess I'll take some photos later.

 

[KidVermicious]

I have pinstriping from juniper and scrub oak that's wavy and made it into the primer. Just saying...

 

[JayRolla]

I did think about that possibility, as we went wheeling/camping/climbing up at Hermit Pass two weekends ago. However, I didn't go through any tight trees or brush! I would have heard this, I think, because it went down to the white (primer?) and one went down to the metal.

PS Don't go to Hermit Pass...it was terrible. All the campsites were unoccupied and located in these really stupid places with dumb views of mountains and junk, and the road went all the way to just below 13,000 feet with access to a couple awesome 13er climbs. Really, don't go. /sarcasm

Your right, that trail does not have issues with tight spots.

I love Hermit pass, have done it few times. Where you able to finish the trail? Last year I went there was an avalanche that looked to cover entire road at the top. Was not able to get to final lake. And that was at the end of the summer.

Good place to camp, real easy cake trail, good to take the family or newbie wheelers on.

 

[atalarico]

Your right, that trail does not have issues with tight spots.

I love Hermit pass, have done it few times. Where you able to finish the trail? Last year I went there was an avalanche that looked to cover entire road at the top. Was not able to get to final lake. And that was at the end of the summer.

Good place to camp, real easy cake trail, good to take the family or newbie wheelers on.

What a neat place! It was my first time there and it was my first weekend trip ever since I've been relegated to weekend warrior status with my new job. I was expecting a crazy busy road and a disappointing seclusion experience (because how many places named "Hermit" in Colorado are hermit-like anymore?), but I was surprised! I could have driven all the way up the pass, but we went there to camp and scramble/climb/hike, so I parked it right before the last switch back at a nice "parking" spot about 400 feet below the pass. It was one of those things where I knew I could keep driving because we had gotten through the hardest parts, but me and the lady were a bit done with jarring rock roads and just wanted to go summit stuff and get active.

The road is definitely clear all the way since you've been up last, and it's a beautiful drive! It wasn't super popular with the ATVs and other ORVs, but popular enough to make me want to look harder for a nice and secluded camping spot well off the road (which I found).

 

[BrianSD_42]

Where are the pictures bro. seriously.

 

[atalarico]

Where are the pictures bro. seriously.

Uggh, I know, but I already filled them in with paint, so it might be hard to determine anything.

Here are a few I just snapped but it's getting dark a little earlier these days.

It's also hard to tell which scratches are new =p

Edited: I had to remove two because they're blurry and dark.

 

[JeepKiller]

Brush scratches man. This is a keyed car.

 

[hounddogman]

I happen to have a scratch that's down to the primer on the passenger side by the tail light that I got when looking for a camp site on Hermit Pass .

 

[atalarico]

Well, that's reassuring then (no sarcasm intended, really!)! I was getting all worked up and thinking about all of the ways to catch this SOB, some of which involved signs saying "Smile, you're on Mosin vision!"

I wish I had taken some pictures before I painted because it really seemed closer to that last image posted of what a keyed car looked like.

Like I said though, ultimately it's nbd because, as you can tell from the photos, it's not like I have a mint paint job. I just felt a little violated.

Thanks all!

 

[gamefreakgc]

If you had made someone mad enough to key your car, it would not just be a couple of scratches here and there. It would be on every surface of your 4Runner.

Seems to be common out here when people cheat on their spouses/significant others. Seen quite a few keyed cars in my neighborhood.

 

[atalarico]

If you had made someone mad enough to key your car, it would not just be a couple of scratches here and there. It would be on every surface of your 4Runner.

Seems to be common out here when people cheat on their spouses/significant others. Seen quite a few keyed cars in my neighborhood.

Well the "new" scratches were on the driver's side, rear hatch, and passenger's side, so that's why I initially thought keying. I guess it's kind of like trying to figure out what caused food poisoning. You can never be sure, so why not go eat another piece of street sushi!

 

[gamefreakgc]

Well the "new" scratches were on the driver's side, rear hatch, and passenger's side, so that's why I initially thought keying. I guess it's kind of like trying to figure out what caused food poisoning. You can never be sure, so why not go eat another piece of street sushi!

I just realized that my post might have implied you cheated on someone. Obviously I don't know you personally but by no means would I ever suggest that you did something like that. :frusty:

 

[atalarico]

I just realized that my post might have implied you cheated on someone. Obviously I don't know you personally but by no means would I ever suggest that you did something like that. :frusty:

:lol: No, no I didn't take it like that! I think it's awesome that you felt bad enough to come back and clarify because I would have done the same thing. =)

FWIW, I don't think I have any upset exes out there wanting to seek revenge...or do I?

I honestly thought that maybe my old boss or this *really* upset road-rager last week saw where I park and did it. Other than that, I would venture a guess at a local teenager was bored and saw an opportunity. Ah well! More excuse to take it to the body shop at the end of my street and start working on the outer beauty project (now that all the inner/mechanical stuff is taken care of for now).

 

[JeepKiller]

If you plan on wheeling then why bother to get the paint restored? All it would make most anyone do is avoid the narrower/brushy trails.

 

[RedSled]

Well the "new" scratches were on the driver's side, rear hatch, and passenger's side, so that's why I initially thought keying. I guess it's kind of like trying to figure out what caused food poisoning. You can never be sure, so why not go eat another piece of street sushi!

Do you have young kids that ride their bikes around your truck? I had that happen before, the handle bars got me. Just throwin it out there.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Do you have young kids that ride their bikes around your truck? I had that happen before, the handle bars got me. Just throwin it out there.

Don't tell us young dads that... my kids will be perfect when they get to that age right? They couldn't possibly mess up anything on my 4Runner... or my couch... or anything else in the house...

In fact kids are the more tidy than adults I hear...