Arizona pinstriping

Arizona pinstriping (or Arizona pinstripes) is the colloquial term for the thin, shallow scratches along the sides of trucks and SUVs usually formed when branches, twigs, or thorns scrape along the side of the passing vehicle. This term likely originates from Arizona, a U.S. state well-known for its adventurous Wild West culture and numerous off-road trails. GeneRally, scratches that are severe enough to remove layers of paint are not considered Arizona pinstriping.

In off-roading culture, the term is often used to differentiate off-road-capable trucks and SUVs that are actually used off-road from their urban and suburban counterparts that are used almost exclusively on paved roads and are purchased mostly as status symbols. An off-road-capable vehicle (especially SUVs) with "Arizona pinstriping" is generally considered evidence that the owner actually uses the vehicle for its intended purpose.

References

http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/arizona_pinstriping/

Arizona pinstriping (or Arizona pinstripes) is the colloquial term for the thin, shallow scratches or marks along the sides of trucks and SUVs usually formed when branches, twigs, dirt, stones or thorns scrape along the side of the vehicle. This term originates from Arizona, used by local off-roaders, is a U.S. state well-known for its adventurous Wild West culture (it is the home of Tombstone) and bountiful off-road trails. Generally, scratches that are severe enough to remove layers of paint are seen as having used your vehicle to its fullest potential.

In Arizona off-roading culture, the term can be used to differentiate off-road trucks and SUVs that from their city-slicker counterparts that owners customize exclusively to look good and are used as status and ego boosts for thier drivers. An off-road vehicle with "Arizona pinstriping" is evidence that the owner actually uses the vehicle for its intended purpose.