Scratches on black 2011 TE

[glocke12]

I picked this up back on the night of the 15th.

The next day I gave it a pretty good look over, and found one decent sized scratch under the license plate holder. I figured that must have happened either during delivery, or when the salesman was changing my plates over.

I also noticed hundreds of what look like "micro" scratches in the paint. THese are not visible from 3 feet away, but when your up close (<12") they are fairly noticeable.

Today I gave it a good wash and wax, and found yet another scratch on the passenger door, this one is new, and I have no idea where it came from. Ive pretty much babied it since I got it (only 780 miles so far!), parking well away from other cars so it cant be from someone else parking too close.

My questions are:

1) Will the scratches under the license plate holder and door buff out?

2 What the heck could all of these "micro" scratches be from? They are present in both pictures in the attached link.

By the way, the larger scratches are not as noticeable as these photos make them appear.

MobileMe Gallery

 

[Chisty]

I have the same micro scratches in my black sr5. I think i got them from car wash. Wish I could remove them!!!!

 

[glocke12]

I have the same micro scratches in my black sr5. I think i got them from car wash. Wish I could remove them!!!!

Yeah, but the thing is Ive never taken this through a car wash. Ive had it two weeks, and aside from some spot cleaning with some mguiers and a microfiber cloth, today was really the first day that I washed it. I think they were there from the start...

 

[mysticz]

Try Scratch X it took out most of the pin stripping I get from trails especially the ones from cow mountain.

Same side current.

 

[glocke12]

Now IM actually wondering if the micro scratches were caused by the microfiber towels I use. not knowing any better I picked up a 25 pack from a wholesale club for like ten bucks or something...:cry2:

 

[jmbaker3]

I picked this up back on the night of the 15th.

The next day I gave it a pretty good look over, and found one decent sized scratch under the license plate holder. I figured that must have happened either during delivery, or when the salesman was changing my plates over.

I also noticed hundreds of what look like "micro" scratches in the paint. THese are not visible from 3 feet away, but when your up close (<12") they are fairly noticeable.

Today I gave it a good wash and wax, and found yet another scratch on the passenger door, this one is new, and I have no idea where it came from. Ive pretty much babied it since I got it (only 780 miles so far!), parking well away from other cars so it cant be from someone else parking too close.

My questions are:

1) Will the scratches under the license plate holder and door buff out?

2 What the heck could all of these "micro" scratches be from? They are present in both pictures in the attached link.

By the way, the larger scratches are not as noticeable as these photos make them appear.

MobileMe Gallery

If you can feel them with your fingernail they are too deep. Thru the clear coat and base coat. If they are clear coat surface then you could se 3m Finesse-it and then polish that out. You better know what you are doing, or you will be getting a new paint job. If you aren't sure take it in to a high quality body shop and get their opinion. The swirls you see are common and more visible in black paint...Take a look under fluorescent lights at your next night time gas stop...don't freak out! 3M

 

[fins]

Now IM actually wondering if the micro scratches were caused by the microfiber towels I use. not knowing any better I picked up a 25 pack from a wholesale club for like ten bucks or something...:cry2:

Bingo. Spend a little more money on quality MF towels from Griot's or Zaino. If the scratches on the clearcoat, you could buff them out with the proper polish and a random orbital buffer. Good luck.

 

[glocke12]

Bingo. Spend a little more money on quality MF towels from Griot's or Zaino. If the scratches on the clearcoat, you could buff them out with the proper polish and a random orbital buffer. Good luck.

Thanks...Im not going to mess around. I was going to get a new set of rims, but instead Im just going to take it high quality detail shop and have them see what they can do.

So, can someone point me to a specific microfiber towel that is best for spot cleaning with mguires...

Also, I have a lambswool mitt for washing..Is that ok? It wasnt cheap, (ten bucks from pepboys).

 

[jmbaker3]

Thanks...Im not going to mess around. I was going to get a new set of rims, but instead Im just going to take it high quality detail shop and have them see what they can do.

So, can someone point me to a specific microfiber towel that is best for spot cleaning with mguires...

Also, I have a lambswool mitt for washing..Is that ok? It wasnt cheap, (ten bucks from pepboys).

Never dry wipe a black or dark color vehicle. Always wet it, with hose, soap it and rinse it. When you dry wipe, or spray a detailer on the paint, all you are doing is wiping the dirt and grime about.

 

[glocke12]

Never dry wipe a black or dark color vehicle. Always wet it, with hose, soap it and rinse it. When you dry wipe, or spray a detailer on the paint, all you are doing is wiping the dirt and grime about.

hmm...thanks...now the question is, will someone that knows what they are doing being able to get those micro scratches out?

 

[jmbaker3]

Also, I have a lambswool mitt for washing..Is that ok? It wasnt cheap, (ten bucks from pepboys).

I wouldn't use that either...they hold dirt. Get some hand towels from Sam's Club, bulk pack. Wash the truck from TOP down. Never use the towel you use to clean your wheels or lower part of the truck...it will be loaded with grit. Top down works.

 

[jmbaker3]

Try Scratch X it took out most of the pin stripping I get from trails especially the ones from cow mountain.

Same side current.

That's some serious offroading! Something to be said for "silver".

 

[vinblastine]

Black SR5

These 4Runners have soft paint. I think I created scratches from using the wrong towels (old t-shirt) to wax. Or the ScratchX. I bought the buffer and pads from amazon. However the amazon pads did not work and created millions of microscratches, I think they are fake meguiars pads. I ordered pads from meguiars and they worked perfectly. No more cobwebs. If you live in S. cali mequiars in Irvine will show you how to correct your paint like new. My car is no longer afraid of the sunshine.
When I first got my car I made the mistake of using ScratchX over the whole car. Don't make that same mistake. But it can be corrected.

 

[Koz]

Get used to fine scratches. This is common on ALL black vehicles! You will need to get SPECIAL products to keep the scratches to a minimum; things like high quality microfiber towels and wash mitts. You will also have to use SPECIAL procedures to wash and wax your vehicle. Forget about trying to keep the scratches off by rubbing by hand. You will need a quality DA buffer (not a $40 Walmart buffer). Black is the best looking color on a vehicle but I will NEVER own another one!

Koz

 

[vinblastine]

when doing paint correction start with the least aggressive product and work your way up.

 

[harper7]

Koz nailed it !

I used to always buy black vehicles and thought white and silver were for old folks. Maybe the old folks learned and had something there as in, there is alot less work on silver and whites!I bought a silver and agree the black ones look better when they're all shined up. I just didn't want to spend the time on the black paint upkeep anymore.

My 4Runner ,although I keep it clean,is in no means a show truck and has scratches and swirls all over it from offroading. I did buff out some major scratches from a run in with a mesquite tree on my drivers rear door.As he said ,invest in a good orbital polisher if your anal about scratches. I have an old Porter-Cable polisher that I picked up in a pawn shop years ago that works great with Meguiars polishes.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Completely agree with koz and Harper. That's exactly why I have the white. I couldn't be bothered with getting all pissed off at the swirl and scratch marks that comes with owning black, well that and the instant dust covering you get 15 minutes after your done washing it.

 

[glocke12]

Ok, so I am looking to upgrade my detailing kit i guess.

For wax buffing and spray detailing Im getting these:

Micro Fiber Speed Shine® Cloths, Set of 3 - Griot's Garage

For washing the upper portion of the my ride im getting this:

Merino Wool Wash Mitt - Detailing Tools - Tools - Griot's Garage

And Ill just keep using the wool wash mitt I already have for the the lower portion and bumpers...

Hopefully these will prevent MORE scratches from appearing...

 

[Nick B]

AutoGeek.com Automotive Super Site has a great selection of microfiber towels . I should know because I've spent over a hundered bucks there on towels for my black TE and my black Raptor .