Is this a clear coat scratch?

[Moabal]

Hi,

I noticed a scratch or something on my front bumper. There is no feel to the touch. It just looks “darker” than the rest of my paint.

Tried rubbing it off with a microfiber cloth and no dice.

Going to try to buff and polish later.

Do you think this is a clear coat scratch based on how I am describing it?

 

[D.J.]

Did you post a completely out of focus image?

 

[Moabal]

Did you post a completely out of focus image?

Actually the picture is not bad. It’s just hard to show with the paint color, size, and lighting.

 

[D.J.]

Actually the picture is not bad. It’s just hard to show with the paint color, size, and lighting.

All I see is an unfocused image

Can you use a business card or something flat right beside the subject? - so the camera can focus at the correct distance from the lens

 

[Moabal]

All I see is an unfocused image

Can you use a business card or something flat right beside the subject? - so the camera can focus at the correct distance from the lens

Like I said it is how is looks.

 

[D.J.]

That looks like it will wipe right off with any paint polish.

Certainly doesn't look like a scratch

 

[Moabal]

That looks like it will wipe right off with any paint polish.

Certainly doesn't look like a scratch

I’ll give it a try and let you know how it goes. Standard microfiber with no polish does nothing. Getting the polish on Monday.

 

[StingertimeNC]

I have a "stain" on my bumper like that. Tried light cutting compound and polish and it did not take it out. It was some kind of grease I picked up at the track from somebody else's car, and it sat on the car for two days, by the time I washed it and tried the other stuff, it just didn't come all the way out.

 

[Moabal]

I have a "stain" on my bumper like that. Tried light cutting compound and polish and it did not take it out. It was some kind of grease I picked up at the track from somebody else's car, and it sat on the car for two days, by the time I washed it and tried the other stuff, it just didn't come all the way out.

Is there a technical name for this kind of scratch or whatever it is?

 

[nhcowboy28]

Is there a technical name for this kind of scratch or whatever it is?

Car jizz

 

[Rodtheviking]

Is there a technical name for this kind of scratch or whatever it is?

Schmutz?

Looks like some road tar or grease from something.

 

[smmrfld]

I’d leave it.

 

[stoopid]

Looks like something rubbed fairly hard. Polish should take it out, might require several minutes. Remember to wax the area after.

 

[AtomicGTL]

merlin the paint king should pitch in

 

[MerlintheMad]

^^I've nothing further to suggest than the rubbing and polishing compounds and then wax/ceramic if the blemish goes away.

 

[Moabal]

^^I've nothing further to suggest than the rubbing and polishing compounds and then wax/ceramic if the blemish goes away.

Thanks I will try this out tomorrow. Have you ever seen anything like this?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Thanks I will try this out tomorrow. Have you ever seen anything like this?

I have not. The closest I have experienced is a large patch of guano that sat on my decklid for hours (mostly during the night, I suspect) after I parked under a tree in my son's driveway: it left a patch of "blemish" in the clearcoat that showed when you got sunlight glare to spank across it. But that went away after several car washes.

You are sure it wasn't there before, therefore it is a surface cleat coat blemish and not something inside/under the clear coat: which is encouraging: you should be able to fade it or rid yourself of it altogether. (Unless the clear coat soaked up some chemical that reacted with it this way: if that has occurred then it could happen that a penetrating stain could permanently darken the clear coat and even the paint beneath: but I do not know what liquids encountered on the road would do that: we need a chemist if your dark spot doesn't respond to rubbing compound: or at least a detailer who knows what caused this.)

 

[Moabal]

I have not. The closest I have experienced is a large patch of guano that sat on my decklid for hours (mostly during the night, I suspect) after I parked under a tree in my son's driveway: it left a patch of "blemish" in the clearcoat that showed when you got sunlight glare to spank across it. But that went away after several car washes.

You are sure it wasn't there before, therefore it is a surface cleat coat blemish and not something inside/under the clear coat: which is encouraging: you should be able to fade it or rid yourself of it altogether. (Unless the clear coat soaked up some chemical that reacted with it this way: if that has occurred then it could happen that a penetrating stain could permanently darken the clear coat and even the paint beneath: but I do not know what liquids encountered on the road would do that: we need a chemist if your dark spot doesn't respond to rubbing compound: or at least a detailer who knows what caused this.)

I dont think it was there. I will see what happens when I try to polish. Worse case scenario, if that does not work that means its a problem with the original paint which should be covered under warranty?

 

[MerlintheMad]

I dont think it was there. I will see what happens when I try to polish. Worse case scenario, if that does not work that means its a problem with the original paint which should be covered under warranty?

For 36 months paint is covered (or 36K miles, whichever arrives first).

 

[Moabal]

Good news everyone! It came out. This was the first time ever “buffing” paint pout.

I used a hand applicator kit as I have no business using a drill.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08464LFP...t_i_VY0TYCRN96M5HMV8SX2E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for all the support on my first paint “crisis” with this car.

See attached for results.