cladding scratch

[nfpgasmask]

Anything I can do with this? Or is this something I just have to live with?

http://www.nofuture.com/myvx/cladding.jpg

:( A BUSH did this.

Bart

[Triathlete]

If your going to wheel it get used to it! Just add more then you won't notice "that" one so much! :winky:
I've got my share of "character" marks. :rolly:

[nfpgasmask]

If your going to wheel it get used to it! Just add more then you won't notice "that" one so much! :winky:
I've got my share of "character" marks. :rolly:

Yeah, well, I guess what bothers me about this is that it was seriously like a BUSH that scratched the cladding. I mean, come on, if a little bush can do that much damage, what will a serious trail ride do?

:nog:

Bart

[Triathlete]

I mean, come on, if a little bush can do that much damage, what will a serious trail ride do?

:nog:

Bart

I can send you a few pics! ;eeky;
Everything that lives here has huge thorns of some sort on it!

[Tetsuo99]

We call that "cowboy pinstriping" down here. I'm seriously considering bedliner as an alternative to weekly applications of tire shine.

[Triathlete]

When mine gets bad enough that is an option I am looking at. I like the finer type not the rough kind.

[SPAZZ]

FLITZ IT!!!!!!!!!!! :p

[pbkid]

yea ive seen triathlete's scratches, they dont bother him much, or for that matter rolling over tryin to get around moab ;Dy; .....if it makes you feel any better ill send you some pictures of my scratches...but seriously i wouldnt worry about it much because its small enough that your probably the only person who will ever notice it...

[transio]

Try using a hairdrier or heatgun and a knife tip to "retexturize it".

You could also probably covere it up nicely with some Flood Restora and a terry cloth. But you'd have to do the whole cladding with it.

[VehiX]

Get a microfiber cloth and spray this stuff on it. Do all of your cladding while you're at it. The scratch will still be there but will be FAR less noticeable to even you :). I'm finding I like this stuff better than the ICE that people here have been raving about lately. The ice didn't seem to do ANYTHING for me as far as making the cladding look better. This makes it shine and look like new for far less time and money. It seems to stay on for a while too.

If you do use this, keep in mind it is aresol like and the spray is very fine. I'd suggest a small face mask when applying it. It also produces some static for like the first 5 min. when applying it :_wtf:

You can do the entire cladding in about 10-15 minutes and have it look almost brand new!!!

http://www.meguiars.com/estore/products/product_G13415.jpg

More details to be had here:

http://www.meguiars.com/?car-trim-molding-care/Exterior-Trim-Detailer

[maxw]

Another thought is to use Turtle Wax Color Cure Chipstick Polish in Black.
You can use the "lipstick" at right angles to fill the scratch and then with a moist cloth place a VERY SMALL amoutn of the polish on it and GENTLY massage into the defect. It will emerge slightly darker but it will improve the appearance.

[maxw]

I was just doing some research on this and came across this site.
I purchased some and will let you know how it goes on my minor scratches.
The manager states it absolutely removes the scratches and is not just a cosmetic cover up.

http://www.koalaproducts.net/polish.htm

[SPAZZ]

clean the area first then a heat gun and your finger and smooth area gently
then FLITZ IT!!!!!!

[nfpgasmask]

...Thanks, it sounds like I have lots of options...

Bart

[rowhard]

SPAZZ, I have added a photo of my damage. Do you think I could save it with the heat gun trick?http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/cladding_damage_close-up.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/cladding_damage_close-up.jpg)

[nfpgasmask]

That is nasty... :eek:

Bart



SPAZZ, I have added a photo of my damage. Do you think I could save it with the heat gun trick?http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/cladding_damage_close-up.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/cladding_damage_close-up.jpg)

[VehiX]

SPAZZ, I have added a photo of my damage. Do you think I could save it with the heat gun trick?http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/cladding_damage_close-up.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/cladding_damage_close-up.jpg)

I'd worry about that rust spot first before even worrying about the clading.

How'd you manage that one :_wtf:

[nfpgasmask]

Hey VehiX, I'm gonna try this product tonight. I picked some up yesterday. So we'll see. My opinion of "Back to Black" is that it works ok, but it is a pain to apply and work with.

Bart



Get a microfiber cloth and spray this stuff on it. Do all of your cladding while you're at it. The scratch will still be there but will be FAR less noticeable to even you :). I'm finding I like this stuff better than the ICE that people here have been raving about lately. The ice didn't seem to do ANYTHING for me as far as making the cladding look better. This makes it shine and look like new for far less time and money. It seems to stay on for a while too.

If you do use this, keep in mind it is aresol like and the spray is very fine. I'd suggest a small face mask when applying it. It also produces some static for like the first 5 min. when applying it :_wtf:

You can do the entire cladding in about 10-15 minutes and have it look almost brand new!!!

http://www.meguiars.com/estore/products/product_G13415.jpg

More details to be had here:

http://www.meguiars.com/?car-trim-molding-care/Exterior-Trim-Detailer

[VehiX]

Cool, I hope it works out for you and that you like the product.

I just realized I said to get a microfiber cloth and to spray this on it. Don't spray it on the cloth then apply, rather, act as if you're spray painting your cladding by applying the product directly to the cladding then wiping it down to remove any excess. You can cover big areas at a time with this stuff.

Another tip I would suggest. I don't know about you but the gas tank and it's skid plate tend to dull out and get all oxidized on mine. Try wiping down the tank and skid plate and look at the dramatic difference. Makes it look brand new!!! :)

Let me know what you think when you're done.

[rowhard]

Rust spor was fixed. It was a old photo.

[rowhard]

The VX was damaged during shipment this past Jan. The right head light was also damaged which is the one I repaired in the article, 'Zen and the Art of Headlight Polishing' .

[Triathlete]

Another tip I would suggest. I don't know about you but the gas tank and it's skid plate tend to dull out and get all oxidized on mine. Try wiping down the tank and skid plate and look at the dramatic difference. Makes it look brand new!!! :)

Let me know what you think when you're done.

Or you can just put enough dents and scrapes in it that you can't tell the difference! :smack: After all thats why they are there. ;Dy;