Help! Exterior Detailing Question (brake, chip, buy, drivers)

[Carlingtonian]

The gray metallic paint on my car (which I've had for less than a month) is shiny and in great condition overall. However, it has four small flaws:

• A dime-sized scatter pattern of what may have been tree sap--brown/orange in color;
• A small dark spot the size of a pencil eraser;
• A dull area (2-3 inches) on the roof that looks like some idiot rubbed too hard to remove a bird dropping; and
• A tiny dark speck on the nose that probably came from some flying pebble.

Should I have a detailer do paint correction for the whole car (before applying a sealer)? This would probably fix the above problems, but then I wonder if taking down the entire clear coat--they don't do spot correction--would not make sense. These flaws are only visible from a foot or so away. Overall, the paint looks great--and I don't want to lose nanometers of clearcoat just to get rid of them. Unless, that is, the new sealer would make up for that.

I recently bought some Klasse All in One polish and Klasse sealer online. Could I spot-correct and seal these areas myself?

Thanks for any advice!

[Mr.Cat]

Year and model?

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cat

Year and model?

Does it make a difference? It has a clearcoat.

[CCc girl]

Try some acetone first with a soft cloth. Don't rub too hard, you can scratch the clear coat if you rub hard enough with the softest rag.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by CCc girl

Try some acetone first with a soft cloth. Don't rub too hard, you can scratch the clear coat if you rub hard enough with the softest rag.

Terrible idea! Acetone strips paint. But maybe you knew that.

[wankel7]

Originally Posted by CCc girl

Try some acetone first

Ehhhh, and follow it up with some brake fluid

I would wash it first. Then buy a clay bar and go over the car twice with it then give it a wax.

[CCc girl]

Acetone will most certainly NOT strip automotive paint. Detailers use it all the time to remove bugs and tar.

I will tell the OP not to use it on black rubber trim and moldings, it gives them a white faded look.

Managed a detail shop for three years BTW.....

[IShootNikon]

Originally Posted by CCc girl

Acetone will most certainly NOT strip automotive paint. Detailers use it all the time to remove bugs and tar.

I will tell the OP not to use it on black rubber trim and moldings, it gives them a white faded look.

Managed a detail shop for three years BTW.....

Than you should know to use the least aggressive method and go from there. Like someone else posted, start with clay bar and if that doesn't remove it try a light finishing polish. You can pick up some OTC ones at Walmart or local shop. Meguiars M205 (or comparable one)

[smokingGun]

try applying Meguiar's Color-X polish/wax yourself before shelling out $$ for a pro detailer. It's pretty effective for minor blemishes on daily drivers. As far as micro-chips, you just have to learn to live with them. Believe me, I know it hurts to see those light dust-like specks on your hood, but there's really no way to prevent them unless you vinyl wrap your vehicle.