[amtalx]

Hi all, I'm new to the forums (and ownership) so you'll have to forgive any obvious signs of ignorance.

Anyway, I purchased a black '08 328i not too long ago. The paint was pristine when I bought it, but after an unfortunate incident with some construction in a parking garage, I came back to find some very mineral-heavy water dried on the hood.

I figured a good claying and polish would take care of most of the problem. It did for the most part, but I've noticed there is a cloudy spot in the finish were I may have gotten a little too vigorous with the clay bar.

Has anyone experienced anything like this, or have any tips on how to clear it up?

[Envious Eric]

polishing should take care of it...

have any pics though?

[amtalx]

I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow. Dark outside at the moment.

Any recommendations for specific polishing products?

[Krells]

I have had good luck with Menzerna Super Intensive Polish followed by Final Polish. I doubt that you did any damage with the clay itself since it isn't really abrasive.

[zaxjax]

Try using a 50/50 mix of Vinegar and distilled water, and if that doesn't work a good polish is in order. I live in Annapolis if you need it polished out.

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by zaxjax

Try using a 50/50 mix of Vinegar and distilled water, and if that doesn't work a good polish is in order. I live in Annapolis if you need it polished out.

+1, before you start polishing,
Once I used clay-magic with diluted car wash (ran out of clay-magic lube) and I had smudge/cloudy from the waxy subtance in the clay, I need ISA(isopropil alcohol) 70% wipe down to clean it. Now I used diluted ONR for lube with all clays and it's good.

But again if you rubbed real hard instead of glide the clay around I don;t doubt you sracthed the clear-coat and need polishing.

[pander5]

Let me add to what the others have already said and say you can, most likely, take care of this yourself. You might want to first try what the others have said and do an IPA or vinegar wipedown just to make sure it's not residue from anything the claying may have left behind. Plus it will clean your paint real good for a buff session anyway. Second, do you have a buffer and an assortment of pads and polishes? That may be the fastest, easiest way to shine it back up again if it is indeed scarred just a bit from any abrasive action. Third, having followed zaxjax on this forum for a while he sounds like a good, experienced guy and I might take him up on his generous offer if you're not too far away.

Which balck is it? Sapphire or Jet?

In any event, don't stress out too much. We're here to help!

[amtalx]

I tried to get some pics, but it didn't work out well. The cloudiness is faint, and I couldn't find adequate lighting due to a cloudy sky (oh the irony...).

Many thanks for the 50/50 mix of distilled water and vinegar suggestion though. I've never heard that before. I'll give that a shot and try again for pics if I'm not successful.