Help! I scratched the clear coat on my brand new car!

[subemaniac]

Hi Everybody,

I hope I can get some help please. I just got a new Subaru Forester in dark gray metallic and was trying to rub off some adhesive on the roof left over from the protective shipping plastic. Even though the car appeared clean, there must have been some dirt, because I created some fine scratches in the clear coat about the size of a quarter. I only noticed it in the reflection from indirect light in my garage. I can't see it outside in the light and can't feel it with my fingernail But it's bugging the heck out of me and I just want to fix what I did. If it was a lighter color, I might not have seen it at all.

So, I really don't want to make matters worse and would hope it would be a minor fix. Would some Ultra Compound be the best to use? Could I just put a small dab on a cloth and lightly polish out the scratches? Would I then need to then use something else to seal where I polished?

I guess I learned my lesson on this one! Thanks!

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Help! I scratched the clear coat on my brand new car!

The usual idea is to use the least aggressive product first. So I'd try the polish first then the compound if that wasn't enough. Where are you, neighbor?

[subemaniac]

Re: Help! I scratched the clear coat on my brand new car!

OK, so maybe try some ultimate polish? I'm actually in Centennial.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Help! I scratched the clear coat on my brand new car!

Yeah. I'm in Ken Caryl Ranch.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Help! I scratched the clear coat on my brand new car!

The usual idea is to use the least aggressive product first. So I'd try the polish first then the compound if that wasn't enough. Where are you, neighbor?

I would agree with the above, try polish first, then compound if needed. If compound is needed, it will be best to do a pass with the polish after, and then follow with a coat of wax for protection.

If working by hand, we typically like to use separate clean soft foam wax applicator pads like our W0004 Soft Foam Applicator Pads. Some general tips for applying, always work on a clean and cool surface. Keeping your hand flat, apply the product in circular, overlapping motions, with moderate pressure, working in for about a minute or so. The product should break down to a light wet translucent film, which you will want to wipe off with a microfiber towel, like our X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel, before it dries. If product ever does dry on the surface, you can always re-apply a little more wet product to help take it off.

[subemaniac]

Re: Help! I scratched the clear coat on my brand new car!

OK, thanks very much for the information! I appreciate it!

[subemaniac]

Re: Help! I scratched the clear coat on my brand new car!

Just a quick shout out to say thanks on this. I got some Ultimate Polish and it took out the scratches and then some. Everything I found on the car left over from the "great detail dept" at the dealer (NOT!) I was able to polish out with little effort. That stuff is AMAZING! Got the car looking GR8! I'm a believer in Meguiar's!