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dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
09:18:27

Subject: Scratches!
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What is everyone's recommendations (product) for taking out those nasty scratches in the clearcoat? Please let me know your experiences. What works, what doesn't? Thanks!

P.S. DC paint is soft as butter. You breathe on it and it scratches.



Nitro Junkie
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
09:27:53

RE: Scratches!
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Try meguires scratch X



dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
09:29:24

RE: Scratches!
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nitro - you've used it and it works well?



xplikt
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
10:21:53

RE: Scratches!
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I've used it and it does work pretty good, I prefer 3M 39009 for most of my markings, but it's by no means a worthless product, I would try the 3M stuff first though.

BTW, I really know what you means by the paint being as soft as butter -- hell I don't know if I'd even give it that.



dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
10:41:18

RE: Scratches!
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xplikt-is the 3M 39009 something that's easily found in autoparts stores?

Thank God no one's opened their car door into my Dak yet. I'd hate to see what that would leave....bare metal? I pamper that thing and it still scratches up. I wash it with the softest mits, dry it with a chamois and make sure to use a separate mit for the tires/wheels etc and not use that on the body. Maybe they were under the dirt to begin with but still.....



Zaurusman
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5/06/2002
10:48:49

RE: Scratches!
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Unfortunately, if they hit the styled metal down there it leaves bona-fide dents. :-( So far I've only had chips to the bare metal on the front bumper though, knock on wood, after four and a half years. Fine scratches and brush marks from the do-it-yourself carwash all over the place, though.

How much better than Scratch-X is the 3M product,xplikt?

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Zaurusman
'98 RC Red Sport V6 5spd 3.21 15x8's
http://home.earthlink.net/~tiborkun/Dakota/Index.htm

Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
10:51:44

RE: Scratches!
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I use the California Water Blade, it works awesome. I had a black.... uhh....uhhh...s-10 and it didn't scratch it at all. It's a silicon T shaped blade with a plastic handle, and it works just like your wipers on the window. I've used it for about 1 1/2 to 2 years and not a problem. I highly recommend it.

btw I bought it at Murray's I couldn't find it at AutoZone. I saw it on (when it used to be called) shade tree mechanic.



Clevite 77
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
10:54:23

RE: Scratches!
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oops forgot to mention I paid $20 bucks,
it may have come down in price though, it also looks like the blade is replaceable, I haven't looked into it though.



xplikt
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
10:56:00

RE: Scratches!
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I've sometimes have gotten a haze from Scratch-X other vehicles and I think it's because it's too harsh. I've always had better luck with 3M 39009 for light scratches stuff, 39002 (I think that's the number) for deeper stuff. Always start with something lighter first, then, if that doesn't work, try something heavier. These are all rubbing compounds of some sort and the area NEEDS to be waxed afterwards.

Yeah, NAPA I know sells it fir sure in a lil larger bottles, but Wal-Mart or Checker might have it, but I don't think I've seen the 39009 in those though -- make sure you get the right one too, depending on if your vehicle is dark or light.



dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
10:58:15

RE: Scratches!
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clevite - I have the Waterblade too. That didn't seem to pose a problem on mine either. However, it still doesn't change the fact that the topcoat is soft and scratches can come from anywhere. I just need something that will DEFINITELY remove them so I can go buy the Zaino and put some kind of protective coating on it.



Zaurusman
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5/06/2002
10:59:18

RE: Scratches!
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Is flame red considered light or dark by these guys? It's not silver white, nor graphite or black.

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Zaurusman
'98 RC Red Sport V6 5spd 3.21 15x8's
http://home.earthlink.net/~tiborkun/Dakota/Index.htm

dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
11:00:50

RE: Scratches!
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xplikt-you say it needs to be waxed afterwards. Would Zaino be ok to use since it's not really wax?



Nitro Junkie
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
11:41:31

RE: Scratches!
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dan, no I haven't tried it yet but xplikt has a good idea to 3m stuff is good I think the only place around where I live that you can get it is at autobody shops, just what I have heard havn't looked yet. Good luck



xplikt
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
13:07:03

RE: Scratches!
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Hell yeah, that's the best you can use! I use it too BTW, hehe. Zaino owns all other waxes.

Since you have Zaino or know about Zaino, have you tried a couple coats of Z5 to see how it fills many of those small scratches?



dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
13:20:09

RE: Scratches!
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:-) That was my next question! Wondering how Z-5 works. That way I can just buy the Zaino system WITHOUT having to use some other scratch remover first. But I think you answered that on my Zaino thread ???



Black Magic
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
15:15:00

RE: Scratches!
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Well it happened today....
I washed and waxed my black dak yesterday. I met some people for lunch today and they said "damn! when did you do that?" I said DO WHAT!?
I looked on the passenger door and there it was in all its glory... Some ass-hole at my work with a 1984 mini-van opened his door into mine!
It left bare metal and a nice dent.
Now I don't know what to do. Does anyone know a good way to remove dents and touch up bare-metal scratches?




dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
15:33:31

RE: Scratches!
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Dents - two options (and I know this due to a dog kamikaziing my Cavalier - thank God I wasn't driving my Dak). Have it fixed normally and pay a few hundred bucks because of labor costs and due to the fact when they repair a dent, the section has to be re-cleared. Yup, for one lousy little goose-egg dent, you are out $100-$200. OR try to find an autobody shop that does paintless repair. They take this machine and "roll" the dent out. But since this dent actually damaged the paint, you will have to either use touch up or have it painted and blended. My Cavalier fortunately didn't have the paint damaged. Only the metal dented. People say paintless repair still does not yield the results of conventional autobody work. Hope this helps.



scott
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
15:34:10

RE: Scratches!
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Check the phonebook for paintless dent repair places. We use them at work (bodyshop) and the ones we have used work great.Most of them are mobile , so they`ll come to you. I had a small dent on the bottom of my rear drivers side door from the day I bought it but didnt want anyone else painting on my truck.I never got around to fixing it myself , so oneday while the guy was there doing something else , I had him take a look at mine...10min. later...gone , and I didn`t have to paint on my new truck.
As far as the chip , try a local automotive paint distributer , they can mix up any color.Might even try a few bodyshops , we mix up t-up paint all the time for people for little or no money , then the next time they need paint or bodywork they usually come back.



xplikt
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
15:46:02

RE: Scratches!
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Wow scott, that is a very impressive way to handle a business, I bet it does keep them coming back. When someone does ask those few people where to get work done...wonder where they'll say, lol.

That sucks about the dent, when I cleaned up my truck from winter a couple weeks ago I had a half dozen "WHAT THE F*CK IS THAT!!"s..makes you so angry!



Black Magic
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2002
16:21:56

RE: Scratches!
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Thanks for the advice...
I think I'll take it in and see if the insurance company can cover any of it.
The passenger side door must be cursed. I had a grandma roll her shopping cart right into it and not even notice. I was still sitting in the truck. Luckily no scrapes, just two minor dents.
When I got out of the truck... PISSED, I asked if this was her cart, with it still sitting against my truck she turned, looked and said "No, I'm done with it."
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH



dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2002
08:37:59

RE: Scratches!
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Then you ask her who her insurance company is or at least get her name and address (or her license plate # and file a police report) so you can take her to small claims court. Maybe you should leave a little disposable camera in the truck in case these things happen again. Take pictures right away.



scott
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2002
09:06:44

RE: Scratches!
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...or ram it back into her car and say , now I`m done with it to!...no..no..no that wouldn`t be nice . I take that back.



dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/07/2002
09:14:20

RE: Scratches!
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LOL - mean but...............funny!!! The visual image of that alone is priceless.



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