DIY pintriping the easy way(with some questions)

[AAXD]

Pinstriping looks particularly good on our beloved trucks. One way to achieve a professional quality pinstriping job every time is to go off roading. The results will astound you. I find that conifers provide the most detailed pinstripes while deciduous varieties give a more subtle, rubbed look.



...ok in all seriousness, is there any easy way to protect against tree pinstriping when out on the trail aside from wrapping my truck in bubble wrap. I typically apply a few coats of wax and it seems to help but there are always new stripes every time I go out. Anyone have any suggestions regarding removing prticularly deep off road scratches where rubbing compound isn't enough?

[stolenheron]

ever try a clay bar?

[atvsmurf]

clay bars work well, but only remove surface contaminants, you can try some rubbing alcohol on a terrycloth towel to get similar results on a small area, or to see if they are surface and worth buying the clay bar... the bars are a lot easier to use on a larger area, and will clean very well...
as far as anything beyond rubbing compound, you would need to step up to a process like used on new paint, sand and buff, or just the buffer with compund... you could prolly do the same damage with the rubbing compound, but would just be using a lot of elbow grease... with these two you are basically removing the surrounding layers of paint, to bring them down to the level of the scratch...neither of which is very good,
another option would be one of those novelty products, as seen on t.v., quite a few of these will work like magic, but most of the time the results are short lived, as the ones i have seen work as a filler, which will eventually wash/wear its way out of deeper scratches...

[roverandom]

Just keep up with the waxing and don't worry. If you use your truck off road and minor scratches occur, continuous buffing, rubbing down with compounds and the use of clay bars will only serve to thin your paint.
Each of these products remove a small amount of the paint surface in order to get a smoother more uniform reflection.
Off road = scratched paint, you know this. You can't do too much about it. Just clean thoroughly and wax every six months or so and polish by hand or a low speed random orbit polisher.
Hope this helps.

[atvsmurf]

orjust don't wash it

[cellulararrest]

Get a nice thick coat of mud on the truck before going through any tighter trails. Believe it or not the mud actually helps protect the paint

[D90DC]

Clear vinyl protective film... The stuff the new cars have when delivered. You can add it prior to the trail run... It works... Some of the film can be left on a more permenant ... As for me i like chequre plate.... Check this link out ...
3M Scotchprint® Graphics : Scotchgard™ Graphic and Surface Protection Film 8991

Also if you clay it a couple of times or color sand you will cut through the very thin clear coat on the LR... Ask me how i know....

[apbtpetey]

Originally Posted by AAXD

Pinstriping looks particularly good on our beloved trucks. One way to achieve a professional quality pinstriping job every time is to go off roading. The results will astound you. I find that conifers provide the most detailed pinstripes while deciduous varieties give a more subtle, rubbed look.



...ok in all seriousness, is there any easy way to protect against tree pinstriping when out on the trail aside from wrapping my truck in bubble wrap. I typically apply a few coats of wax and it seems to help but there are always new stripes every time I go out. Anyone have any suggestions regarding removing prticularly deep off road scratches where rubbing compound isn't enough?

The answer really depends on how "deep" the scratches are. If rubbing compound isn't enough, I wouldn't waste my time with the clay bar. Clay bars are good for removing surface contaminants and minor scratches, but is time consuming and if rubbing compound isn't working on them, then the clay isn't going to do any better.

You can try using a rubbing compound with a power buffer, WORD OF WARNING..........If you go that route make sure you are very careful and don't press to hard or stay on one spot for to long because you'll burn through the paint. The other option is to wet/color sand, again be careful as you can do alot of damage if done wrong. These are best bets though if the hand rubbing compound isn't working on getting them out.

As for preventing them honestly it's hard to prevent them off-roading. The 3m stuff might help out, but I imagine it's got to be on the expensive side.

[79ROVERJP98]

remove with a buffer, or if its deep, wetsand with 1500-2000, then buff

[HEY_LT]

Hey guys, I have a 95' Cunty, still in its original green finish, but one side looks a little faded with water drip lines , not too bad.. what works to get rid of them..?

[HEY_LT]

"County"....; that did not sund good...

[ArmyRover]

for general clean up I like the meguiars 3 step system it's cheap and does a good job. You can find it at about any auto parts store or walmart.

Step 1 is a paint cleaner
Step 2 is a polish
Step 3 is a carnuba wax

[666666]

thanks participation!