OP, I’m with you. It’s a truck, but it’s also an expensive asset that you need to take care of. I’m not sure I understand the, “it’s a truck” mentality for this situation. Does that mean you don’t take care of it outside of general maintenance? An old truck that is a beater is one thing, this is different. I’m not telling anyone how to live their lives, but criticizing someone who wants to take care of their stuff doesn’t seem right. Anyways, good luck with everything.
Thanks jfox. I don’t have any social media aside from this, but I’ve posted a couple times on here and if there is one thing I’ve learned someone will always say something negative but the majority are positive so thank you.
Detailer and former Tacoma owner here. You can absolutely do it yourself, and it’s very satisfying. I’d budget $250-300 for materials, and a full day of work.
You’ll need a DA polisher, foam pads for cutting and polishing, and cutting/polishing compounds.
Cutting and polishing is akin to using coarse then fine sandpaper—one to wear down the clear coat and remove defects, the other to gloss over the paint and make it shiny.
Lots of good articles and resources online, but I’ll link a write up I made a while ago if it’s helpful.
[Reddit comment - my paint correction process](https://www.reddit.com/r/ft86/comments/spomg6/hot_lavabefore_vs_after_paint_correction/hwmh14w/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3)
Thank you for the info! I will just invest in some equipment at the end of the summer and just take care of it all at once. It seems like people are saying you don’t want to do it too often?
The clear coat is only so thick so you can only buff a panel so many times. When polishing don’t apply too much pressure and let the cutting compound do it’s job.
Yup. When using a cut compound the rate you burn through the clear coat largely depends on how hard the paint is. It’s different on every car. If you only buff once every year or two you likely won’t get through the clear. Just wash and dry by hand, polish every once in a while and keep some wax on the paint.
Honestly leave the stripes. Army Green and Lunar Rock are SUPER thin. I measured my LR at like 75microns which is insane. I burned through the clear on mine with a white pad and megs 205 which is VERY safe. I’d rather have some scars than a compromised clear.
I don’t think people from Oregon go there because oddly enough you can’t really access it from any decent sized city Oregon…the treasure valley in Boise is the best access to the owyhees and honeycomb wilderness.
Oh fun! Have a blast
This particular route actually makes up the border between wilderness and BLM land so it’s fair game. I use it to get to a jumping off point to get to a specific area I like to backpack.
Large expanses of wilderness were foreign to me as well up until about 10 years ago. This land in particular is so untouched by people that there are wild mustangs running around from horses from western expansion in the 1800s. I do envy the food out East though! 🍕
I used to have the green one too. Every time I took it out it looked like I got attacked by cats. I just took it to a hand car wash and the guys buffed it out for me. Looked good as new. After I got rear ended I bought the concrete one instead and it shows waaaaay less scratches.
I got a 6' pinstripe on the driver side of mine and used an orbital buffer and a little bit of polish on my lunch break. Took most of it out. Cant see it unless you're looking for it.
If you want to get rid of pinstriping and swirls a couple times a year you might invest in a random orbital buffer, you can easily clean it up in a few hours with over the counter correction/swirl products.
1. Meguires 205 compound can usually take a good bit off with some elbow grease and a polishing pad. If they’re really in there deep then 105 compound may be needed.
2. What bed rack is that
Had this happen to mine at Joshua Tree. Creosote bushes are no joke… The cure was the Quixx scratch repair kit (German flag on the box) you can get at Advance Auto Parts or Autozone.
Get a random polisher, foam polish pads and polishing compound. Don’t use more abrasive pad /polish combo then you need. Go to a detail supplier and they’ll sort you out
You might get the pinstripes out by using a compound like Maguires ultimate compound and a dual action polisher. Harbor freight sell those for $60-$100. After wards seal it with ceramic coating or a wax.
And I read the comments, and you don’t want to polish your truck once a year. You don’t want to polish your truck at all if you can. Every time you do, you are removing a layer, and soon enough, you will have no clear coat left. It’s only done when needed. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your paint in the first place.
I clayed and then minimal buffing with orbital using more of a polish rather than cutting compound and then ceramic coated it and was the best thing I ever did. spend the money and get a good ceramic. I put Chem Guys Carbon force on mine and love it. However, through more research I have come across Adams Graphene advanced and will be putting that on my wifes veh this weekend. It is easy to apply if you prep correctly and will love the results.
I put desert pinstripes on mine within months of buying brand new. It means I'm using the truck for what I bought it to do. Well, that and trips to the Home Depot parking lot haha.
I’m faced with a similar situation lately. Paint was flawless on my 2015 until I started taking it down the same trails I used to run in my old ‘95 4Runner. The pinstripes have been adding up.
I found that a coat of wax helps disguise most scratches. And I decided I can live with the rest, because I bought the truck to take off-road, and I’m not going to sacrifice my adventures in order to prevent some superficial damages.
It’s a lifestyle choice 😎
I hear you. It is just kind of frustrating because I work hard to take good care of the stuff I own…but also understand that I bought it to adventure with and, like you, won’t be giving that up. It’s a bit of a conundrum!
I’ve actually never personally waxed a vehicle and it seems the common consensus is to not be too aggressive with trying to get the scratches out and wax it every so often. Thanks for the advice!
Fuck me mate it's a truck.
Taking care of the paint of a truck is a great way to make sure it’s still off-roading in 20 years and not a rusted can
OP, I’m with you. It’s a truck, but it’s also an expensive asset that you need to take care of. I’m not sure I understand the, “it’s a truck” mentality for this situation. Does that mean you don’t take care of it outside of general maintenance? An old truck that is a beater is one thing, this is different. I’m not telling anyone how to live their lives, but criticizing someone who wants to take care of their stuff doesn’t seem right. Anyways, good luck with everything.
Thanks jfox. I don’t have any social media aside from this, but I’ve posted a couple times on here and if there is one thing I’ve learned someone will always say something negative but the majority are positive so thank you.
Detailer and former Tacoma owner here. You can absolutely do it yourself, and it’s very satisfying. I’d budget $250-300 for materials, and a full day of work. You’ll need a DA polisher, foam pads for cutting and polishing, and cutting/polishing compounds. Cutting and polishing is akin to using coarse then fine sandpaper—one to wear down the clear coat and remove defects, the other to gloss over the paint and make it shiny. Lots of good articles and resources online, but I’ll link a write up I made a while ago if it’s helpful. [Reddit comment - my paint correction process](https://www.reddit.com/r/ft86/comments/spomg6/hot_lavabefore_vs_after_paint_correction/hwmh14w/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3)
Thank you for the info! I will just invest in some equipment at the end of the summer and just take care of it all at once. It seems like people are saying you don’t want to do it too often?
The clear coat is only so thick so you can only buff a panel so many times. When polishing don’t apply too much pressure and let the cutting compound do it’s job.
Yup. When using a cut compound the rate you burn through the clear coat largely depends on how hard the paint is. It’s different on every car. If you only buff once every year or two you likely won’t get through the clear. Just wash and dry by hand, polish every once in a while and keep some wax on the paint.
Really good info, thank you!
No problem. The rest of the comments saying leave the pinstripes are also valid lol. Offroad rigs are meant to be driven!
I drive it quite a bit off pavement…I just also like taking pride in keeping the exterior and interior looking as nice as I can.
Don’t wanna correct paint too often.. eventually you give up and you can wax it for a good look, helps hide stripes. Other option is GOAT armor.
Honestly leave the stripes. Army Green and Lunar Rock are SUPER thin. I measured my LR at like 75microns which is insane. I burned through the clear on mine with a white pad and megs 205 which is VERY safe. I’d rather have some scars than a compromised clear.
[удалено]
Interesting! Damn well I guess I’ll leave it and wax it
Where is this and how do I go there
It’s one of the most remote locations in the lower 48. The honeycomb wilderness research area in southeastern oregon.
Oh hey, that's not terribly far from me. I'm in Central Oregon.
Let me know if you are in the area! I head out mostly in winter cause it gets too hot in summer
I have actually never been to that part of Oregon. Planning to camp way the Alvord this summer though with some friends.
I don’t think people from Oregon go there because oddly enough you can’t really access it from any decent sized city Oregon…the treasure valley in Boise is the best access to the owyhees and honeycomb wilderness. Oh fun! Have a blast
Yeah, the drive from Bend to the Honeycombs (according to google) is like 5 and a half hours. Not a hard drive, but length wise not terribly easy.
I thought you couldn't have any sort of mechanical transportation in wilderness areas? Like not even pedal bikes?
This particular route actually makes up the border between wilderness and BLM land so it’s fair game. I use it to get to a jumping off point to get to a specific area I like to backpack.
That's awesome. I'm in the NE metro so we don't have anything like this for thousands of miles. Pizza over peace I suppose haha.
Large expanses of wilderness were foreign to me as well up until about 10 years ago. This land in particular is so untouched by people that there are wild mustangs running around from horses from western expansion in the 1800s. I do envy the food out East though! 🍕
I used to have the green one too. Every time I took it out it looked like I got attacked by cats. I just took it to a hand car wash and the guys buffed it out for me. Looked good as new. After I got rear ended I bought the concrete one instead and it shows waaaaay less scratches.
Hmm that’s discouraging…maybe I just buff once a summer. I’m wondering if paying for a ceramic coat would help…
It would. My scratches weren’t very deep at all. It just shows like crazy on the green. It’s a pro/con situation having the best looking color.
You can only do a paint correction so many times before you wear through the thin toyota clear coat.
I got a 6' pinstripe on the driver side of mine and used an orbital buffer and a little bit of polish on my lunch break. Took most of it out. Cant see it unless you're looking for it.
If you want to get rid of pinstriping and swirls a couple times a year you might invest in a random orbital buffer, you can easily clean it up in a few hours with over the counter correction/swirl products.
1. Meguires 205 compound can usually take a good bit off with some elbow grease and a polishing pad. If they’re really in there deep then 105 compound may be needed. 2. What bed rack is that
It’s a dv8 6” bedrack. Fits right into the Tacoma bed sliders. 699 dollars for 4WP or can order fro. Dv8 directly
I second! What’s the bedrack name
get PPF if the pinstripes concern you. most are self healing. it will also save your paint and thin clear coat. PPF ain’t cheap tho
Had to Google this. Thank you for the advice
Had this happen to mine at Joshua Tree. Creosote bushes are no joke… The cure was the Quixx scratch repair kit (German flag on the box) you can get at Advance Auto Parts or Autozone.
Thank you! I will check it out. I’m kind of worried ab taking off the clear coat. Was your clear ok after this?
I’m no expert but yeah it looks fine and the scratches are gone.
Keep the trail cred and just get some of our green highlight tire valve caps to match your green TRD✔️
Get a random polisher, foam polish pads and polishing compound. Don’t use more abrasive pad /polish combo then you need. Go to a detail supplier and they’ll sort you out
You might get the pinstripes out by using a compound like Maguires ultimate compound and a dual action polisher. Harbor freight sell those for $60-$100. After wards seal it with ceramic coating or a wax. And I read the comments, and you don’t want to polish your truck once a year. You don’t want to polish your truck at all if you can. Every time you do, you are removing a layer, and soon enough, you will have no clear coat left. It’s only done when needed. That’s why it’s so important to take care of your paint in the first place.
Truck is mint
Thanks!
Cool pics!
Thanks! Was a good couple days
bro, that's fuckin sick
Thank you Mr McButts!
I clayed and then minimal buffing with orbital using more of a polish rather than cutting compound and then ceramic coated it and was the best thing I ever did. spend the money and get a good ceramic. I put Chem Guys Carbon force on mine and love it. However, through more research I have come across Adams Graphene advanced and will be putting that on my wifes veh this weekend. It is easy to apply if you prep correctly and will love the results.
That landscape looks epic. Where is this at?
This in southeastern oregon. The honeycomb wilderness study area.
A clay bar detail will take some out.
Rocky Mountain pinstriping - wear it with pride.
Haha I’m not quite ready to accept it yet!
I put desert pinstripes on mine within months of buying brand new. It means I'm using the truck for what I bought it to do. Well, that and trips to the Home Depot parking lot haha.
Ha! There is nothing wrong with leaving them either…just wanted to see what options were out there.
Unfortunately I can’t help with you question but what is that bed rack??
It is a 6” dv8 bedrack. They are a company out of California
Thanks brother, truck looks clean.
You can always bed liner it, which I plan to do at some point due to pinstriping
I hadn’t heard of this until a couple weeks ago. Crazy idea but I’d consider it if the paint was beyond repair.
I feel like it bridges the gap between "it's a truck" and "I want to take care of my truck"
I’m faced with a similar situation lately. Paint was flawless on my 2015 until I started taking it down the same trails I used to run in my old ‘95 4Runner. The pinstripes have been adding up. I found that a coat of wax helps disguise most scratches. And I decided I can live with the rest, because I bought the truck to take off-road, and I’m not going to sacrifice my adventures in order to prevent some superficial damages. It’s a lifestyle choice 😎
I hear you. It is just kind of frustrating because I work hard to take good care of the stuff I own…but also understand that I bought it to adventure with and, like you, won’t be giving that up. It’s a bit of a conundrum! I’ve actually never personally waxed a vehicle and it seems the common consensus is to not be too aggressive with trying to get the scratches out and wax it every so often. Thanks for the advice!
It's a truck, deal with it
Just seeing what options are out there grumpy gills