Fixing deep scratches in cladding with Showroom New

[VXorado]

I found you can successfully use SN to help cover up deep scratches in the cladding.

On the trail earlier this this year, I took the wrong line on an obstacle and my tire slipped off a rock. This caused the VX to go off camber and wedge the cladding to a nice piece of granite. I had to drive out of the obstacle which scratched the cladding a bit. Overall some terrible off road driving. :upsetgray

I was determine to clean up the damage. I used 400-1500 grit sand paper and sanded down the cladding. This caused the cladding to lighten up a lot which was more noticeable than the initial scratches. I next applied 6-8 coats of SN over a few days and the results turned out better than expected. You be the judge. :bgwb:


http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/106_2870_zps666dfa38.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/106_2872_zpsb15db0c2.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/106_2873_zps0c03fdf5.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/106_2875_zpsc2230afa.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/106_2876_zpsb95d82fe.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/106_2878_zps4d68a971.jpg

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/106_2880_zpsb0b654e1.jpg

One month after
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/106_2964_zpseb32645f.jpg

[vt_maverick]

Nice work! Can you see a difference in the texture between the area you sanded and the rest of the cladding? I don't mean the scratches but the areas between the scratches - are they smoother than the rest of the cladding?

[Mile High VX]

I've got some similar damage from a trip to Moab courtesy of Biju...this looks like a good fix for me.

Nice work as always Jon...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

[evillecutter]

witchcraft! looks great

[VXorado]

Thanks Guys, I hope it helps. I wanted to post this because MShardeman had some trouble a few years ago removing some deep scratches from the lower cladding and I figured this method would work.


Nice work! Can you see a difference in the texture between the area you sanded and the rest of the cladding? I don't mean the scratches but the areas between the scratches - are they smoother than the rest of the cladding?

You do lose some of the texture with the sanding. It's only slightly noticeable on close inspection because the SN adds an even matte color. I chose to leave some of the deep scratches visible to avoid sanding down all of the texture.


The end result won't look 100% new but will be a huge improvement over leaving deep scratches in the cladding. I've also tried heating before with little success.

The best method: Don't Scratch The Cladding!!!! :mado:

[blacksambo]

Good tip. Thanks.