Tree's Are Destroying My Paint

[kbahus]

I knew I was going to get some pin stripping but after my last adventure yesterday the whole side of my FJ looks like it got keyed. It is particularly bad in the area between the windows and the fender flares. What are some options for repair and/or cover up and protection? I am concerned of rust in the future too. I have seen pictures of coatings on the lower rockers but my problem is much higher on the side.

 

[dmaddox]

3M makes a product called "perfect-it" (50 bucks for a container, but it lasts forever). It is a very mild rubbing compound / buffing agent.

Trees are going to destroy ANY paint job. The best thing you can do is get a good buffing wheel, hit it with some good quality buffing compound, and then afterward you wax it and keep dirt off it.

Imagine if your rig had mud or dirt on it, and you (pressing hard) wiped your finger all the way down your rig. The dirt between your finger and paint is scratching the crap out of it.

Tree branch = finger x 10 or more.

So keeping it clean and maintained is about all you can do, other than hugging the OTHER side of the trail vs. taking your cruiser through the branches.

good luck