Scratched sides

[wallrats]

Just came from 5 days off roading in Sardinia. It was great; the only problem I have now is that the D4 sides are full of marks. The tracks had a lot of vegetation and tree branches that scratched the side of the car. Is there a way to remove these? :confused:

[Mike_S]

Pay a man who knows how to properly use a polishing buffer, you'll be surprised what they can take out. Anything down to primer is a repaint though.

I had a daft woman run into the side of my RRS, scraped it from front to back with her front bumper, chap I use to 'detail' the car occasionally came round and managed to remove the evidence in 20 minutes with his buffer & polish, I was fully expecting to have to repaint the entire side of the car (at her expense of course)

[Disco4SE]

Just came from 5 days off roading in Sardinia. It was great; the only problem I have now is that the D4 sides are full of marks. The tracks had a lot of vegetation and tree branches that scratched the side of the car. Is there a way to remove these? :confused:
Hi wallrats,
Meguiars make a product called Scratch X2.0. Its great for light scratches but you will need a pro for the heavy ones.
Cheers, Craig

[999]

Might be a bit late now, I try to keep my car waxed . It makes it heaps easy to clean and you find that most of the trail scratches are in the wax.
A 3hr wax once a month is worth it.

A good detailer will get your car back to show room shine. Check out some of the detailer forums online like "detail paradise"

[WhiteD3]

I had to pay $200 last week for a "machine polish" to get the lantana scratches out. This fixed 90% of them.

[CaverD3]

Or wear them with pride. :D

[wallrats]

Or wear them with pride. :D

I love to CaverD3, but it is only 4 months old;).
Thank you all for the info. I remember way back that I saw some photos of a disco with magnetic panels that you put on then you go off road. Can anyone tell me where I can find these?

[~Rich~]

You could always buy some of this film:

Product Page - OziShield : (http://www.ozishield.com.au/products.asp?cat=1197)

[Redback]

I love to CaverD3, but it is only 4 months old;).
Thank you all for the info. I remember way back that I saw some photos of a disco with magnetic panels that you put on then you go off road. Can anyone tell me where I can find these?

There are a few spray on protections here in Australia, Duco Scratch, 3Dfilmpro and Opti Coat, which is a permanent spray on paint protector, with a Lifetime Warranty on new cars and a 5 Year Warranty on used cars.

Search Google with "spray on paint protection" there's got to be this type of stuff in Europe.

Baz

[AussieAub]

This is the stuff I swear by:
Autoglym - car cleaning products, car care products, car valeting, car detailing (http://www.autoglym.com/enau/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=JHM)

Was put onto it by a BMW workshop body/panel sprayer mate of mine in UK whose dealership where he worked would ONLY use this stuff.
It's cleared up many a scratch on my D2, including marks oo the black plastic trim around the windows (just don't get it on the rubber!).
Also used to use it on "show" Mini's (Austin, not BMW!) back in the day with exceptional results.

That reminds me, must get round to giving my D2 a bit of TLC again soon....!! :angel:

edit: Almost forgot about this stuff too:
http://www.merproducts.com/car-polish.aspx
This stuff is awesome too, and I used it as well as the AutoGlym. Just not sure on availability in AUS.
If I could find it locally I'd be back to using that. I predominantly used this on my road bikes (m/c), and the AutoGlym on the cars.

Cheers.

[oldsalt]

Yep - ditto for AussieAub's comments re Autoglym products - they work a treat - and as he said don't get it on the rubber....plays merry hell with it !!!
cheers

[scarry]

Yep - ditto for AussieAub's comments re Autoglym products - they work a treat - and as he said don't get it on the rubber....plays merry hell with it !!!
cheers

X2

fantastic stuff,& the leather conditioner will also do a fantastic job on your leather lounge suit.

[rmp]

The first few scratches are the worst. After a while you just don't worry about it.

As Caver says, wear them with pride.

[Bushwanderer]

A friend looks with disdain at any 4wd that doesn't have scratches as she considers that the vehicle isn't being used for its design purpose.

She looks admiringly at my D1 and D3.

[chimpy]

I'm looking at possibly buying a 10m roll of magnetic sheet and cutting my own side panels. Comes in .3, .6 and .9mm thicknesses and under $200. Don't know if anyone else has gone down this route?

[rmp]

A friend looks with disdain at any 4wd that doesn't have scratches as she considers that the vehicle isn't being used for its design purpose.

She looks admiringly at my D1 and D3.

So, you're saying scratch the bodywork, impress the ladies?

[Duck's Guts]

A friend looks with disdain at any 4wd that doesn't have scratches as she considers that the vehicle isn't being used for its design purpose.
She looks admiringly at my D1 and D3.


So, you're saying scratch the bodywork, impress the ladies?

That doesn't apply to SWMBO. She is most UNIMPRESSED with the number of bush pin stripes I've applied!

[DiscoWeb]

Well, I have just today finished polisihing out about 6 months worth of stripping on my D3 and must say I am pretty supprised how well it has come up.

I used a Turtlewax scratch & swirl product and buffed it with a lambs wool disc on my electic drill.

Took out at least 95% of the marks and really only those that were deep have been left.

Provided they are not too bad this type of effort, about 1.5 hr of work makes it look like new.

Now I can drive around knowing i use the D3 for its intendend purpose but with it looking nice a shiny. Like the saying goes do not judge the book by its cover !!.

George.

[wallrats]

Well, I have just today finished polisihing out about 6 months worth of stripping on my D3 and must say I am pretty supprised how well it has come up.

I used a Turtlewax scratch & swirl product and buffed it with a lambs wool disc on my electic drill.

Took out at least 95% of the marks and really only those that were deep have been left.

Provided they are not too bad this type of effort, about 1.5 hr of work makes it look like new.

Now I can drive around knowing i use the D3 for its intendend purpose but with it looking nice a shiny. Like the saying goes do not judge the book by its cover !!.

George.

I took it to a sprayer yesterday for polish. It took him 8 hours to remove all scratches. He also did wax and washed it. Look better then when I took it out of the show room. :D

[Disco4SE]

Polished both my vehicles today with Eagle One Nanowax. It came highly recommended by an old dood down at Autobahn who has used every polish known to mankind.
It went on very well and looks great.......time will tell.
I know the bloke who supplies Nano products to ULR & MLR Melbourne. Have been using his Nano wipes (polish impregnated) for about 2 years now and have never used a better polish, however it works out very expensive, hence using the Eagle One Nanowax.
Worth a go I figure.
Cheers, Craig

[wallrats]

Has anyone used this...

Super Spray Mask - Paint Protection Film (http://www.percyshp.com/SuperSprayMask.html)

It looks good.

[Bushwanderer]

So, you're saying scratch the bodywork, impress the ladies?

Sorry rmp,
She's no lady, she's a friend. :D

(Gawd, I hope that she doesn't see this. :eek:)

Best Wishes,
Peter

[Scouse]

I'm looking at possibly buying a 10m roll of magnetic sheet and cutting my own side panels. Comes in .3, .6 and .9mm thicknesses and under $200. Don't know if anyone else has gone down this route?Is it special magnetic sheeting that sticks to aluminium ?

[Tombie]

Or wear them with pride. :D

Yep saves continually buffing away the clear coat which well eventually wear away and the vehicle will look worse!!!!

[petera]

I got a quote today from a Sydney outfit for applying the 3M product:
"Price for full coverage is simialr to car wrapping with coloured films etc..

Rally kit installed cost $5500

Full sides and bonnet, guards, bar would suffice for your usage I would
suggest a pro kit with full sides.

Pro kit Full sides will be $3500"

I can't see myself rushing out to get it:eek:

[chimpy]

Is it special magnetic sheeting that sticks to aluminium ?

I'm not planning to protect the bonnet or tailgate, just the steel side panels and doors where most of the scratching occurs

[jh972]

Yep saves continually buffing away the clear coat which well eventually wear away and the vehicle will look worse!!!!

Yep, totally agree. Just wash it and leave it - in a few days you won't notice the scratches!
Haven't polished mine in 4 years, and boy is it scratched - but only if you look closely. I'm saving the clear coat for the big detail when I trade it!
John

[~Rich~]

Has anyone used this...

Super Spray Mask - Paint Protection Film (http://www.percyshp.com/SuperSprayMask.html)

It looks good.

I still have some of a equivilent product in my shed.
Next time I'm going on a trip where I expect Lantana I'll be using it!
You used to be able to buy it from Opposite Lock.
My last 4WD was a Burgandy L/Crusier and although the stuff looks like orange peal when applied it does the trick.
Can leave on the car up to 3 mths they say.
Goes on white, dries clear. Best with 2 coats.
Cleans off easily with a High Pressure washer.

One little thing is if the car gets wet the film goes white again but stays on even when a branch drags along the sides.

[~Rich~]

Do you want to save some of the pain associated from driving through overgrown tracks?
Well "Road Warrior" paint protection film may be for you!
The last product I mentioned has disappeared from the market. I found this product via the web and luckily they have an Aussie distributer. I ordered a bottle which is 1 ltr and covers 6 sq m for $54.95 plus postage.
No word on how long you can leave it on but it looks like it can be just left on!
Apply using a small paint roller, yes it will give a "textured" finish but it is worth it for the result once you peal it back off.
The US site: www.roadwarriorplus.com/ (http://www.roadwarriorplus.com/)
Purchase in Aus here: www.roadwarriorplus.com.au/home (http://www.roadwarriorplus.com.au/home)
It's a white liquid that dries clear, yes with a good soaking it turns milky again but does not blow off in the wind. I still requires pealing off or using a high pressure cleaner to blast it off.

[Tote]

I'm very happy with the results that I have had with the Bowdens range of polishes in removing scratches AUTO BODY WAX | BOWDEN'S OWN (http://www.bowdensown.com.au/auto-body-wax)

Not cheap but very good

Regards,
Tote

[~Rich~]

Protection applied - Road Warrior
Road Warrior Plus Australia — Products (http://www.roadwarriorplus.com.au/products)
I don't mind the textured finish. :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/05/873.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/807.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/07/347.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/394.jpg


Can't see it from a distance.

[Graeme]

Rich, I hope you applied it right to the top of the doors and pillars.

[~Rich~]

Hi Graeme,
No I havn't done the black pillars as I find them easy to polish off any scratches.
We are heading cross country so we will be passing by very scratchy vegitation, would you recommend doing the pillars?
I have done the tops of the doors up to the roof rails to save marks from accessing the roof rack.

[Graeme]

Hi Rich,
The most visible scratches on my D2 were high up on the pillars, mostly when going from The Twins across to the Colson Track through the Hale River dead scrub. I mananged to dodge or push with the bull-bar or drive over the top of most of the lower branches but sometimes the higher ones couldn't be avoided.

Have a great trip!

[~Rich~]

Thanks Graeme,
That's exactly the route we are partially taking, also from Colson to the geographical centre may occur heavy scratching too.

[~Rich~]

Well I've got to say the Road Warrior coating is fantastic.
We drove through some very scratchy tracks on my last trip and felt so comfortable that I was not ruining my paintwork.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/multi-state-reports/155953-simpson-desert-trip-australia-geographical-centre-july12.html

Once home you can wet down the surface and pick off a corner and peal the coating off:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/07/340.jpg

Even easier is to use a pressure washer and blast it off, I had the whole car clean in just over 30min!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/07/339.jpg

Still need to give the car a proper wash and detail but already it looks great already.
Also not at bit of polishing needed. :)
Best $50 I've spent.