New Car - Marking on Paint from Shipping (Plastic)

[NewbieCar]

I just bought a new car and noticed that there is a marking on the paint on the hood; the edges are symmetrical so it seems that it is something either from factory or during shipping. The car dealer indicated that this is from the white plastic they use during shipping -- he said that sometimes, moisture gets underneath and it takes time for this marking to disappear. Well, it has been 9 days since they prepped the car (and thus removed this plastic) and it's still there.
I live in the Northeast, and it's Winter but the temperatures have been an average of 45 degrees lately -- some days even 60. I have taken the car out a couple of times and drove it around, even in the sunlight, but this condition persists.
Can you tell me what this might be (if not the remnant of the plastic) -- either way, how do I fix this? (The dealer offered to fix it, but, I'd rather do it myself).
Thanks in advance,
"NewbieCar"

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: New Car - Marking on Paint from Shipping (Plastic)

Is it adhesive residue or paint marring? If it is adhesive residue you can use 3m adhesive remover, IPA mix, WD40, Goofoff...................etc to remove. Then wash the area and apply a cleaner wax or just wax. If it is marring from the plastic flapping against the paint while in transport or driving around, then you will need some compound and polish to remove. Try a medium cut polish first and then go to the compound. Do you know how new the paint is? Meaning was the car just built or was it on the lot?

[wifpd4]

Re: New Car - Marking on Paint from Shipping (Plastic)

Yep, agree with inya. Try ColorX. The other thing I might suggest is clay-bar the car. No telling where a new car has been or how it got there. There may be surface contaminates including rail dust from a train ride. Claying will remove those bonded contaminates and provide a smooth surface upon which to continue your concerned car care. ColorX is a delicate cleaner-wax that may remove your defects. It also is something to have around in the future as a useful all-in-one.

As inyadreems indicated you may need to step up, I might suggest perhaps to Ultimate Compound. Look at some of the photos from the Saturday classes to see how well Ultimate Compound works.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: New Car - Marking on Paint from Shipping (Plastic)

All of the suggestions offered are potentially good ones, provided the issue is something easily fixed. Without a picture it's a bit difficult to fully diagnose. But since this is a known issue that the dealer has, apparently, addressed in past we'd be inclined to have them sort it out for you first. If anything goes wrong, of if there is some real damage here, best to leave that to the dealer so there's no way they can come back on you and your process as being the cause. Something just sounds a bit strange with "we've seen it before and it will go away over time". That statement is either true and it will go away over time (define "over time" for us though, Mr. Dealership - a week, a month???) or they were just trying to get rid of you and hope that you're the "average" car buyer who won't give it a second thought rather than a detailing junkie.