Speaking Of Scratches...

[awonderingdawn]

Following PaleoMama's thread- I'm curious, how do you repair your own scratches? I've seen a ton of techniques online, and I know it depends on the depth of the scratch what part of the car it's on/ the temperature outside/ the climate you're repairing in/ etc. But how have YOU repaired scratches in the past if you've chosen to go the DIY route.

 

[rickc5]

Our 4Runner gets more rock chips than scratches, and I just use Toyota touch-up paint that you can buy from your dealer. Other brands of touch-up paint from parts stores don't adhere nearly as well as the factory paint. Just use the smallest amount of paint to fill the chip/scratch. You can then use polishing compound to smooth out the finish, but that may remove too much of the touch-up paint. Work on small stuff first until you get results you're happy with.

 

[awonderingdawn]

Our 4Runner gets more rock chips than scratches, and I just use Toyota touch-up paint that you can buy from your dealer. Other brands of touch-up paint from parts stores don't adhere nearly as well as the factory paint. Just use the smallest amount of paint to fill the chip/scratch. You can then use polishing compound to smooth out the finish, but that may remove too much of the touch-up paint. Work on small stuff first until you get results you're happy with.

Awesome, thanks for that detailed response RickC5. How long does it typically take for that factory touch-up paint to dry?

 

[toyotafan]

If you prep it right, using the touch up paint should dry fully in just a couple of hours, not sure about the cure time as it's really only good for very small scratches and rock chips and you'll always have a mismatch with the clearcoat (well, usually) when using this technique.

Here's a cool looking product that I just came across.

 

[toyotafan]

Haha, love this guy. He says to use WD40 to fix scratches on your car.

 

[awonderingdawn]

Haha, love this guy. He says to use WD40 to fix scratches on your car.

Holy crap! That's awesome! Does it seriously work though? I want to try! My best friend has a super scratched car- I'm going to try it!

 

[toyotafan]

Holy crap! That's awesome! Does it seriously work though? I want to try! My best friend has a super scratched car- I'm going to try it!

Try it on a junker first.

 

[awonderingdawn]

Try it on a junker first.

Haha, her car is a junker. We intend to try this out today. Shall be interesting- but I'll post the results tomorrow. I really need to get a camera so we can take pictures,

 

[rickc5]

I can't wait to see this!

 

[awonderingdawn]

We tried it and unfortunately it didn't work. It made the car look shiney and clean- but it definitely didn't buff out scratches. She has a red car, though- and he did do this on black paint. Maybe the paint color makes a difference? Needless to say, it didn't work for us. *sad face.

 

[rickc5]

Oh, shucks! Just when I thought WD-40 might actually be good for something besides "Water Displacement, Formula #40" (the actual, unabbreviated name for the product, which was developed to keep bare steel from rusting as it was being transported). Folks use it for lots of things though. But, it isn't a lubricant, so never try to use it as one.

 

[toyotafan]

one of those internet videos i guess. i might give it a try myself actually.