[BMW335PA]

I was simply tying to show my Patriotism by having a magnetic flag on my car. Its pretty small, a little bigger than a business card, I put it on my trunk lid next to my license plate.
Today I went to take it off, and the damn thing was like fused to my car. I finally pulled it all the way off, only to reveal what looks like sticker residue on my paint.
How am I going to get this off with? any suggestions?
I hope to God I didnt ruin my car...

(please hold off all comments about how stupid I was putting a magnet on my car. I know that now, and could kick myself in the ass for doing it.)

[ga-bmwdrvr]

I had it happen on my wife's car with my son's soccer magnet. Wash the area well and use a mild polish. I used Meguiars ScratchX by hand with a microfiber cloth and it came right off.

[BMW335PA]

I would have never thought this could happen, I had the same magnet on my 2001 for five years, and it never left a mark or stuck to the car like it did this time...insane.

[BMW335PA]

Originally Posted by ga-bmwdrvr

I had it happen on my wife's car with my son's soccer magnet. Wash the area well and use a mild polish. I used Meguiars ScratchX by hand with a microfiber cloth and it came right off.

What color was your wife's car? Is the Mequiars ScratchX safe for a Jet Black car? I would hate to cause more scratches trying to get this mark off.
Thanks

[shimshimhada]

Wash it, goo gone and wipe off with a clean MF towel.

[ga-bmwdrvr]

My wife's car is hunter green. On a black car you may want to try Shim's suggestion first. Always start with the least agressive. ScatchX used properly should be safe.

[BMW335PA]

goo gone is safe on the paint?
is goo gone the same as goof off?

[drcain]

If there's some sort of glue residue from stickers/etc wd-40 also dissolves that stuff---may save you a trip if you don't have the goo gone/goof off stuff. (I use it all the time to get rid of the sticker residue on jewel cases,etc). Regarding using products that dissolve glue/etc on cars, I thought a number of them also dissolve wax? I never worried much about it since I think I only had a small spot I was getting off the car one time with it so used it anyway. I read others would re-wax the spot after they were done cleaning it with some of the goo removing cleaners.

[picus]

Originally Posted by BMW325

goo gone is safe on the paint?
is goo gone the same as goof off?

Yes.
No. Goof Off is a dried paint remover, Goo Gone is an adhesive remover.

Any adhesive remover will likely work, including good old 50:50 rubbing alcohol/water or WD-40.

Yes, all of the above will remove wax. Re-apply wax over areas you use these products on.

[BMW335PA]

Gotcha.
The thing is though, its not sticky, cause it was only a magnet. What I think happened is moisture got between the magnet and body panel. So it looks like the residue of a sticker, but its not sticky.
Guess I'll have to try some sorta cleaner wax.

[BMW335PA]

Took the car to a local detail/body shop. The guy looked at it, proceded to tell me how magnets are murder on cars. He tried some stuff on it, didnt say what it was, but I asked it if was a cleaner wax, he said milder than that, but the mark remains. UGH! He said it looks like its just into the paint. So I guess I'm really screwed.
He suggests I just put the magnet back on.
Should I even try anything else? ScratchX?

[shimshimhada]

Originally Posted by BMW325

Took the car to a local detail/body shop. The guy looked at it, proceded to tell me how magnets are murder on cars. He tried some stuff on it, didnt say what it was, but I asked it if was a cleaner wax, he said milder than that, but the mark remains. UGH! He said it looks like its just into the paint. So I guess I'm really screwed.
He suggests I just put the magnet back on.
Should I even try anything else? ScratchX?

Could you take a picture of it? Milder than a cleaner wax. That's not going to take out anything.

[BMW335PA]

I'll try to take a picture of it tonight, will see how it comes out.

[picus]

Milder than a cleaner wax? What did he soak it in breast milk? At least try some ScratchX on it.

[ga-bmwdrvr]

"milder than cleaner wax" sounds like he used a quick detailer, that would not do much. He should have tried some clay (another option).

[JOYRIIDE1113]

Another reason why you should never go to a detailshop. Most are just ignorant to their own game...

[BMW335PA]

The pictures didnt really come out. Sorry.
My buddy is coming by this weekend, I'll let you guys know how it goes.
Thanks for all your help.

[BMW335PA]

OMG, my friend is a amazing. Ofcourse I stayed inside...LOL only to come out and see the final results. He used some ScratchX and Meguires #6, and the mark is all gone, except for the littlest bit. Unless your really looking for it, you dont even notice it. I'm one happy camper.
Thanks again for all your suggestions.

[joony79]

Originally Posted by BMW325

I would have never thought this could happen, I had the same magnet on my 2001 for five years, and it never left a mark or stuck to the car like it did this time...insane.

maybe its because you got METALIC paint?

[mj41]

3m makes a citrus based, non toxic adhesive remover. It works great for removing stickers, tar, or any other gunk. I used in on my 323ci and have had no problems. The natural citrus works wonders.