Pin Striping

Any good products to remove minore pin-striping from bushes, etc? Thanks guys!

 

Take it to a detailer and have them do it right.

Also, don’t bother doing this until you’re ready to sell. You can only do this so many times.

 

There is a guy on this site, I cannot remember his name right now, but he used some rubbing/buffing compound and a polisher to get his pin striping out. It was horrible, and he spent about 3 hours cleaning it up.

He posted before and after pictures of it; and he did an amazing job.

 

Thanks, I am debating trying myself as they are fairly small although there is a section that's fairly deep. I may have the dealership perform if its not too expensive. I was also debating just having the truck wrapped in clear for protection. That or I will become a landscaper on every trail I ride from now on. lol

 

The best solution is to scrape part of you bumper.

Then you will forget about the pinstriping. Trust me.

 

FYI- If you can feel a scratch with your fingernail, it's too deep to "correct".

 

I would lose my shit lol.

 

Yes, part of it I have been able to buff out with just a bit of heat but there is a decent section that I can feel with my hand. Off to Toyota I go, I guess.

 

Eh. It’s a badge of honor.

I half ripped off the silver valance on the rear bumper. Had to get that replaced, and had a body shop fix the scratches because they were deep.

Front silver valance got gouged good on a rock because a spotter didn’t take into account that the vehicle would potentially roll forward when shifting into reverse. Some scrapes on body colored plastic as well.

Front valance is gone with a new winch bumper in its place. Those other scratches would be gone too if I had gotten a full bumper, but if I get a viper cut, then they’ll go away as part of that.

The vehicle is meant to be taken offroad, so these things happen.

 

Eventually, but its only got 1k miles on it so would have preferred to not have a stripe down the entire side just yet lol.

 

Check the link. It was horrible. It took me 4 days.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/pinstripes-ill-show-you-pinstripes.22335/

 

Yeah, it was you! I remember now.

 

It isn't rocket science. Take your time and it will come out. I have buffed it twice. The first time I probably took off more paint than most will doing 5 buffs.

I was told the same. That info was incorrect. I could hook most of the scratches and still managed to get them out.

 

I knew who you were referring to.

 

My father used to custom paint vehicles and he said the same thing. I guess they have come a ways in clear coats since he retired.

 

Thank you! I picked up some Meguires to try, hoping for the best.

 

I saw on the link to the pin-stripe fix that another user recommended a clear wrap. Anyone try these or having any luck with them?

 

If you are going offroad, I suspect that the wrap won’t provide a ton of protection.

Someone makes some big-ass magnets you can put on your vehicle for offroad protection. Of course, if you have any grime under them, maybe you have a new issue.

 

Looks like I need to be prepared to bail out and do some bush trimming next time lol

 

With pinstripe removal you’re removing a layer of your clear cloat and the clear coat on Toyota is extremely thin as it is so keep that in mind. I’ve seen mild pinstriping on Toyota trucks in fact I know a guy who went only once with his brand new 4Runner hit some brush and a professional detailer couldn’t get it out because he would have to remove too much clear

the guys with underground lunar rock and white or any matte have an even thinner layer of clear coat

 

A good waxing should hid/fix the majority of superficial pinstriping. But prevention is important, which is why i use a Graphene flex wax that works really well.

 

You CAN get them out. Whether or not you should is another conversation entirely. The clear is extremely thin. Premature clear coat failure is the risk you accept when buffing out scratches you can feel.

 

After seeing the aging paint on white 4Rs around our town, when we bought ours I made sure to clear out as much garage space as possible so we can park them inside, purged probably 300 sqft of junk and worth the peace of mind, our driveway is overshadowed by some really messy trees.

Meanwhile my 2005 corolla's paint is like new sitting outside all these years. SMH.

 

I'd rather have the paint look good than have a gazillion, deep pinstripes. I knew about the thin clear coat and I rolled the dice. If the paint fails I will post the results. Been 3 years and it is holding up well. I was using wax two or three times a year, but have switched to spray-on ceramic a year ago. So far, so good.

 

I'm going to do it again tomorrow but it seems to be working ok. You can definitely still see it in a very specific light angle. Not sure if I'm wearing the clear coat down, I just used some Meguires scratch fix and a microfiber towel.

 

Whats the deal with the ceramic?

 

There are plenty of personal grooming products that should help with that.

 

Here's the prep work. You want to get as much grit and crap off the paint as you can, as well as removing minor scratches, before using ceramic the 1st time. Don't be afraid of the polisher. It ain't rocket science. You tube is your friend. It really is easy-peasy, but it is time consuming the 1st time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2-L_1wJwCE

Then I used the spray on ceramic. I was skeptical, but damn, the shit really works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soeNmYv__zY

 

Can't remember for sure, but ScratchX might have some oils in it to mask a scratch (along with abrasives).

 

Ceramic won't help prevent scratches. But it will help protect paint from weathering. Pro-level ceramic coatings can last years. Consumer level spray and wipe products are just kind of like a spray wax.