[moemeight]

I was trying to wash my car and my callus ridden index finger or perhaps tip of my nail did this. Although I touch over it, it doesn't seem like it's deep or indented... but any suggestions from ya'll would be greatly appreciated...

[malvern_man]

Any compitant detailer should be able to polish that out for you. I had all my exterior gloss black trim PPF'd so it doesn't get marked/scratched.

[Murf the Surf]

If you have some rubbing compound or even toothpaste you can give it a try with a soft cloth, it looks like it should come out pretty easily.

[moemeight]

Thank you!

[tracer bullet]

Yep, polishing compound. Super easy DIY.

I'm using the word polishing compound, it's a super high grit (meaning super fine particles). Rubbing compound to me is the step prior. I don't think you need it if it's fingernail / finger caused.

Good around door handles and such over time as well. Don't forget to follow up with wax or whatever your protectant choice is.

[NoMods]

Sonax perfect finish is great and popular for its smooth cutting abilities, you can do it by hand instead of machine.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Yep, polishing compound. Super easy DIY.

I'm using the word polishing compound, it's a super high grit (meaning super fine particles). Rubbing compound to me is the step prior. I don't think you need it if it's fingernail / finger caused.

Good around door handles and such over time as well. Don't forget to follow up with wax or whatever your protectant choice is.

Definitely polishing compound should do the trick.

Once removed moemeight should follow the approach taken by malvern_man which is to put PPF on the car. I have PPF and ceramic on mine and it really prevents issues like this.

[HondaRC51]

Wow that's deep. Looks like a total lose. Id say scrap the car and go buy a new one.

All kidding aside I agree with Armoredsaint. The Sonax stuff worked well for me in the past. Microfiber and some elbow grease is your friend. Just dont go nuts on pressure as you can take whatever "film" is applied to the plastic off.

[BMWCCA1]

Just try a wax first before you get into abrasives.

[skyline408]

Or get it ppfd and it will hide the scratch.

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Just try a wax first before you get into abrasives.

Right! Going for abrasives off the bat is the wrong choice. Start with wax and work your way up.

[PMW0801]

Wax's don't have any "abrasives" to take that scratch out. Some wax's have fillers. You can use a finishing polish. That should do the trick. You don't need anything more aggressive than that.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by skyline408

Or get it ppfd and it will hide the scratch.

I don't believe that the PPF will totally hide the scratch.

[shimmy23]

your finger nail did this? pic of said nails! perhaps start with a claybar. maybe its "nail" rubbed onto it? if not, a light polish will easily remove this. no worries OP!

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by PMW0801

Wax's don't have any "abrasives" to take that scratch out. Some wax's have fillers. You can use a finishing polish. That should do the trick. You don't need anything more aggressive than that.

Yes some of them do. Meguiar's cleaner wax has very mild abrasives. I use it to remove marks on paint all the time. In fact Ive used it to clear up spider webs scratches on that same black door part.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Clea...0009IQX0E?th=1

[TboneS54]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

Yes some of them do. Meguiar's cleaner wax has very mild abrasives. I use it to remove marks on paint all the time. In fact Ive used it to clear up spider webs scratches on that same black door part.

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Clea...0009IQX0E?th=1

Waxes do not contain abrasives, only "cleaner waxes." You need to be specific.

---

If PPFing, it would get a light polish anyway as part of the prep for the film, so it'd be minimized by the polish first, then again by the ppf if any visual evidence of the marring still remained.

[BMWCCA1]

Most of the time I find that fingernails leave behind some of themselves but it's not really a scratch. I often successfully use just a plain wax in the door-handle "cups" which are full of fingernail residue. The oils and solvents in wax seem to work. If what you have is really a "scratch" as in cutting the paint, then you may need an abrasive, but I certainly would not start out that way!

[arucano]

always start with the least aggressive product. I have used Meguires polish (or equivalent) to attack some scratches. Be careful with more aggressive compounds because it will leave a dull surface.

[N1rve]

If waxes and polishes doesn't work, try Meguiars Ultimate Compound by hand first. 9/10 times, this removed a lot of scuffs and light scratches for me.

[RaisinCain27]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Most of the time I find that fingernails leave behind some of themselves but it's not really a scratch. I often successfully use just a plain wax in the door-handle "cups" which are full of fingernail residue. The oils and solvents in wax seem to work. If what you have is really a "scratch" as in cutting the paint, then you may need an abrasive, but I certainly would not start out that way!

I've experienced the same especially on the black trim pieces. Many times I thought I produced scratches while washing only then to have those "scratches" go away when doing the final wipe down with a drying aid or quick detailer.

Always start with the easiest, least aggressive product before diving into something that could make the situation worse or just more complicated.

[Redd]

Toothpaste also works

[Tejas1836]

Try this first