[nosbocaj]

I just picked up my M3Cx a few weeks ago. I've never been a big detailing buff, but having such a beautiful car with stunning paint has changed that really quickly.

Yesterday a bird decided to duke on my hood (an inch above the PPF of course). I noticed it as I was leaving work and immediately went home to wash it off. After washing I noticed that it had already done damage to the clear coat. I tried my best to capture it in a photo.

I washed and clay barred the area, then started hand buffing it with a medium cutting pad and some 3D One. That's helped a little, but the majority is still there. Am I on the right track or is something more heavy duty needed?

Thanks!

[John in VA]

You'll need a machine or more cutting power. Got a similar poop etch on our Estoril Blue trunk lid that I need to address...

[nosbocaj]

Originally Posted by John in VA

You'll need a machine or more cutting power. Got a similar poop etch on our Estoril Blue trunk lid that I need to address...

Yeah that's what I thought. I'm thinking about picking up an orbital polisher for long term use. I'm sure this won't be the last time and paying a shop to fix these over and over will add up quickly. Crazy how much damage ~3 hours of bird poop can do.

[TboneS54]

Go as light as possible with the machine. I mean a polishing pad, not denser pad or MF or wool. Then a polish, not a compound.

A small thing like that, I would just do by hand if I didn't already own a machine. But getting a machine isn't a bad idea if you trust yourself. Random orbital (d/a) would be safest.

[M5Rick]

A coat of wax will protect from bird drops.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by TboneS54

Go as light as possible with the machine.

Just agreeing to this! So many times a much bigger issue can be created when not being careful.