Scratches in the Clear Coat, how to remove?

[osxcode]

My brand-new 4runner has scratches in the clear coat.

I've tried Rubbing Compound, Wax and an Orbital buffer but they don't seem to remove.

Any suggestions?

Since this Crappy dealer
(southbay toyota, torrance CA)

did this, I don't want to go back there.

It doesn't seem deeper than the clear coat.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Uneek]

You can try Meguiar's Scratch-X. It's worked well for me for scratches around the door handle areas.

But if it's the scratch is deeper and possibly broke through the clear and you might need a rotary buffer and more aggressive compounds. A rotary buffer can be helpful but dangerous at the same time (can burn through paint if left in one spot too long). If you don't have experience with one, you might want to leave it up to a professional (detailer or body shop) to buff out with a rotary buffer.

 

[osxcode]

You can try Meguiar's Scratch-X. It's worked well for me for scratches around the door handle areas.

But if it's the scratch is deeper and possibly broke through the clear and you might need a rotary buffer and more aggressive compounds. A rotary buffer can be helpful but dangerous at the same time (can burn through paint if left in one spot too long). If you don't have experience with one, you might want to leave it up to a professional (detailer or body shop) to buff out with a rotary buffer.

Thank you ~ you are always extremely helpful !!!


javascript:smilie('')

 

[mikehinthehouse]

more than likely it needs to be high speed buffed. I would not do this yourself if you dont know what you are doin.. If the dealer caused the scratches go to your local REPUTABLE detailer and get a quote then make them pay for it... it probably will not be cheap I used to detail professionaly and I would charge about $250 if it was a light color and $300 if it was a dark color.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Or spray the area yourself and use a mild rubbing compound to do the initial blend and then polish the crap out of the hole panel and it should do the trick.

 

[Falls]

Being someone who is heavy into car detailing and do other cars for people , take it to a professional detailer and have them buff it. A rotary buffer can be a real bad thing if used improperly.

If you want a good polisher get a Porter Cable 7336 or a 7424 , velcro back and get pads. It works well and for me gets most of my off road pinstripping off or hidden . Any questions let me know . Always be careful about using rubbing compound or polishing compound. DONT use the stuff from the local hardware store , its really not a good thing and made for what you want to do.

 

[Falls]

more than likely it needs to be high speed buffed. I would not do this yourself if you dont know what you are doin.. If the dealer caused the scratches go to your local REPUTABLE detailer and get a quote then make them pay for it... it probably will not be cheap I used to detail professionaly and I would charge about $250 if it was a light color and $300 if it was a dark color.

Take a look at his truck and what good detailing can do. Sweet !

This is the 1st truck I've had that has not been black . I love black but most likely will never go back ! I love keeping my stuff looking sweet when it's not muddy , the black is a full time job and the buffing marks ,scratches just are to much.

 

[jeremysoca]

falls

I have a porter cable polisher also and some offroading "pinstriping". What products do you use to work out the scratches? Problem is, anything semi aggressive will take clear coat right off

 

[robsrunner]

Bone headed dealers!!

In my opinion if the dealer did the damage make sure they fix it properly. Never assume you can take your car elsewhere and give them the bill. Just make sure you show the damage to the service manager and explain that you will not be happy unless its fixed right and not made worse. They have the ability to call in outside companies that will professionaly fix it. Once they realize you are not someone that will be happy with the porter going off on your paintjob with a power buffer you can demand they take it to a pro. Trust me I have plenty of experience dealing with issues like this.

Bottom line is you shouldn't have to fix it yourself or pay someone else to do it. I know dealers are a pain to go back to but unless you are comfortable and have the proper experience your only alternative is to pay someone else to fix it.

On a side note I live in the Torrance area and the service manager at Southbay Toyota is very fair. We bought our Sienna there and it needed some touch up after we bought it and they took care of it.

Forgot to ask how bad is the damage? Any pictures?

 

[robsrunner]

Bone headed dealers!!

In my opinion if the dealer did the damage make sure they fix it properly. Never assume you can take your car elsewhere and give them the bill. Just make sure you show the damage to the service manager and explain that you will not be happy unless its fixed right and not made worse. They have the ability to call in outside companies that will professionaly fix it. Once they realize you are not someone that will be happy with the porter going off on your paintjob with a power buffer you can demand they take it to a pro. Trust me I have plenty of experience dealing with issues like this.

Bottom line is you shouldn't have to fix it yourself or pay someone else to do it. I know dealers are a pain to go back to but unless you are comfortable and have the proper experience your only alternative is to pay someone else to fix it.

On a side note I live in the Torrance area and the service manager at Southbay Toyota is very fair. We bought our Sienna there and it needed some touch up after we bought it and they took care of it.

Forgot to ask how bad is the damage? Any pictures?

 

[osxcode]

Bone headed dealers!!

In my opinion if the dealer did the damage make sure they fix it properly. Never assume you can take your car elsewhere and give them the bill. Just make sure you show the damage to the service manager and explain that you will not be happy unless its fixed right and not made worse. They have the ability to call in outside companies that will professionaly fix it. Once they realize you are not someone that will be happy with the porter going off on your paintjob with a power buffer you can demand they take it to a pro. Trust me I have plenty of experience dealing with issues like this.

Bottom line is you shouldn't have to fix it yourself or pay someone else to do it. I know dealers are a pain to go back to but unless you are comfortable and have the proper experience your only alternative is to pay someone else to fix it.

On a side note I live in the Torrance area and the service manager at Southbay Toyota is very fair. We bought our Sienna there and it needed some touch up after we bought it and they took care of it.

Forgot to ask how bad is the damage? Any pictures?

Thanks so much for your reply. I didn't trust that dealer to touch it again especially since the apparent scratches were really minimal. I HAD to use the Clay Bar because the paint was in horrible condition, even though it was brand new. If you ran your hand over the surface, it was not smooth. I used the Mothers Clay Bar to remove the contaminants in the paint from the factory and it's smooth as silk. After about 10 hours of hard labor, clay bar and a final sealer wax , it could not be more beautiful. The scratches that I had came out with Mothers Scratch Remover, very easily. The one scratch that i thought was in the clearcoat ended up being way below the surface, a very thin line that occurred during painting when it was being produced. It's so thin that I don't even care about it. That Clay Bar is one of the best body care inventions! I finally have a brand new better than showroom quality 4r.

 

[mikehinthehouse]

Thanks so much for your reply. I didn't trust that dealer to touch it again especially since the apparent scratches were really minimal. I HAD to use the Clay Bar because the paint was in horrible condition, even though it was brand new. If you ran your hand over the surface, it was not smooth. I used the Mothers Clay Bar to remove the contaminants in the paint from the factory and it's smooth as silk. After about 10 hours of hard labor, clay bar and a final sealer wax , it could not be more beautiful. The scratches that I had came out with Mothers Scratch Remover, very easily. The one scratch that i thought was in the clearcoat ended up being way below the surface, a very thin line that occurred during painting when it was being produced. It's so thin that I don't even care about it. That Clay Bar is one of the best body care inventions! I finally have a brand new better than showroom quality 4r.

looks good man.... more than likely what you where feeling on the paint was either rail dust, or just road grime from it being shipped. Im glad the scratches came out... Silver is an easy color to maintain too! Enjoy the new runner!

 

[mikehinthehouse]

Thanks so much for your reply. I didn't trust that dealer to touch it again especially since the apparent scratches were really minimal. I HAD to use the Clay Bar because the paint was in horrible condition, even though it was brand new. If you ran your hand over the surface, it was not smooth. I used the Mothers Clay Bar to remove the contaminants in the paint from the factory and it's smooth as silk. After about 10 hours of hard labor, clay bar and a final sealer wax , it could not be more beautiful. The scratches that I had came out with Mothers Scratch Remover, very easily. The one scratch that i thought was in the clearcoat ended up being way below the surface, a very thin line that occurred during painting when it was being produced. It's so thin that I don't even care about it. That Clay Bar is one of the best body care inventions! I finally have a brand new better than showroom quality 4r.

looks good man.... more than likely what you where feeling on the paint was either rail dust, or just road grime from it being shipped. Im glad the scratches came out... Silver is an easy color to maintain too! Enjoy the new runner!

hey Falls thanks for the compliments... I spend alot "ALOT" of time keeping my truck looking this way! its alot of hard work but worth every second if you ask me! You just cant beat a clean black vehicle!
MikeH

 

[robsrunner]

Glad you were able to get it taken care of. Looking good!

:clap: