Slight scratches from Ice.

[furso]

I have some light scratches on the hood and front part of the frunk from Ice sliding off when cleaning the snow and ice off. I don’t want to make it worse by using something that I shouldn’t have

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[CyberGus]

A scratch that you cannot feel is minor. The recommended "Scotchbrite Blue" pads can help blend it out. Of course, you'll make a shiny spot, so remediation requires working the whole panel or plane.

There's a refinishing procedure in the Collision Repair manual, but that's probably overkill.

 

[furso]

Thanks for your reply. It is very interesting how steel is resistant but yet delicate.

 

[REM]

Thanks for your reply. It is very interesting how steel is resistant but yet delicate.

well, stainless steel is not delicate by any means. The ice you scraped away contained sharp silica fragments. That is what made scratch marks; not the ice.

 

[furso]

Living in the North East iced up headlights was problematic also.

unfortunately our garage is about 8 inches short of length to have it in

 

[mongo]

I have some light scratches on the hood and front part of the frunk from Ice sliding off when cleaning the snow and ice off. I don’t want to make it worse by using something that I shouldn’t have

Meanwhile, I use an ice scraper on the hood...
?

 

[TyPope]

Living in the North East iced up headlights was problematic also.

unfortunately our garage is about 8 inches short of length to have it in

Well, the nose would be snow free if parked right...

 

[AlmostHuman]

Pictures?

 

[CyberLucky]

I *really* scratched mine - was parked right up next to a pillar and didn't account for the rear wheel steering wheel I pulled out, and the back end swung out and scraped the pillar. It was horrifying - think it was day 3 of my ownership. Worst scraping sound I've heard. It left yellow paint from the pillar on my right rear panel. I ended up using a foam sanding pad to wet sand it out and blend into the surrounding area. Took awhile but, amazingly, you can't tell it ever happened. It's been a few months now and I'd forgotten about it until now. I thought I'd certainly have to replace the panel. Two lessons learned: I can sand out a lot of damage, and always be mindful, when turning in tight proximity to objects, that the back will swing out towards them! I pull straight out now until I have clearance, and keep a close eye on the tail.

Tldr: pretty sure you can buff your ice scratches right out.

 

[dalton108]

well, stainless steel is not delicate by any means. The ice you scraped away contained sharp silica fragments. That is what made scratch marks; not the ice.

I don’t know that I agree with this anymore. Last time I was out offroading I was stunned to get back and see pinstriping from just tree branches. I expect that kind of stuff on my FJ Cruiser (and it’s very simple to buff out of the clearcoat). I was led to believe I would never see that on this truck and I now know that’s not true. I am disappoint!!!

They are very light scratches I’ll give it that … they look almost like as if there were spiderwebs strung across the surface, but it just doesn’t matter if their “light scratches” if the removal process is time-consuming and tedious to blend in the panels and all of that kind of stuff.

I don’t think I’ve gained anything if all I can say is, “well it’s not really scratch that’s just surface level and blah blah blah.” if it looks like it’s all scratched up from just encountering some bushes, then for all intents and purposes it is all scratched up and not what I would refer to as tough from that standpoint.

And if the process for fixing it takes longer than it does to repair minor scratches in clearcoat with Scratch-X then what benefit have I actually gained over a regular painted steel surface?

Again I understand other benefits but to be frank they’re not really showing up anywhere that I can see. These trucks are suffering heavy damages and collisions the engineering is certainly protecting the occupants but I’m not seeing any major benefits from what is turning out to be a fairly temperamental material to deal with.

 

[REM]

I don’t know that I agree with this anymore. Last time I was out offloading I was stunned to get back and see pinstriping from just tree branches.

Are you sure those weren't just transfer marks instead of scratches?

Also, I'm not sure why any would could reasonably expect to perform real offroading and not have minor damage; that absolutely comes with the territory.

 

[dalton108]

Are you sure those weren't just transfer marks instead of scratches?

Also, I'm not sure why any would could reasonably expect to perform real offroading and not have minor damage; that absolutely comes with the territory.

I think you’re missing my point.

Of course I expect that that’s why I have scratch X for my FJ. The correction takes minutes and doesn’t require me to do a whole panel. These are the same bushes/Pinion Pines that I always encounter.

Correcting that on clear coated paint is simple. Literally a couple of minutes by hand! I’m not going to need to plan out blending strategy or fear that I’m going to create a noticeable change in finish that will stick out like a sore thumb!

I’m not sure what you’re defending or arguing. You can say that stainless steel is “tough”all you want to that will not change the fact that it is very temperamental and in many surprising ways delicate.

People that are Type A and anal, like I am, maybe want to know that because this may not be the material for you.

*Transfer marks would not have survived my car’s weekly detailing. So no definitely light scratches. I live in a desert everything, out here is rough and hard and sharp. This truck is supposed to be “tough enough for any planet.” We’re on home turf here.

 

[furso]

Yeah I always was the one that noticed everything about my vehicle. This by far has been the biggest challenge for me to deal with the stainless steel. I am not interested in the wrap either. I wish I had a garage that could handle the CT size but we don’t. The black floor mats drive me crazy also lol. Thanks for all the information and thoughts

 

[CyberLucky]

Of course I expect that that’s why I have scratch X for my FJ. The correction takes minutes and doesn’t require me to do a whole panel. These are the same bushes/Pinion Pines that I always encounter.

Correcting that on clear coated paint is simple. Literally a couple of minutes by hand. I’m gonna need to plan out blending straor fear that I’m going to create a noticeable change in finish.

If the depth of your clear coat is less than the thickness of the stainless steel (which it is, by some significant degree), then the number of corrections you'll be able to make on your FJ will reach the limit more quickly (unless, of course you apply more clear coat). In my experience, it wasn't that hard to blend the correction with the surrounding stainless steel, and I didn't do the whole panel.

Regardless, your overarching point stands: driving among the trees and rocks will necessitate some time spent on correction if you don't like a rugged look, and that time will vary by material/treatment.

 

[dalton108]

If the depth of your clear coat is less than the thickness of the stainless steel (which it is, by some significant degree), then the number of corrections you'll be able to make on your FJ will reach the limit more quickly (unless, of course you apply more clear coat). In my experience, it wasn't that hard to blend the correction with the surrounding stainless steel, and I didn't do the whole panel.

Regardless, your overarching point stands: driving among the trees and rocks will necessitate some time spent on correction if you don't like a rugged look, and that time will vary by material/treatment.

Your point is valid.

In practice, I’ve had my FJ for 10 years and we’ve done trails most weekends. There’s been more than enough clearcoat to correct the pinstriping I get. Don’t get me wrong I’m not out there trying to scratch the truck up but enjoying the trails is mission number one. I don’t baby my vehicles, we’re not cruising the malls.

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