New to this section of the forum. Looks like you got some great advice here!
I would like to know how to get rid of the etchings in my paint from bird poo. I have been a loyal Zymol user and like their non abrasive, non synthetic philosophy. I have tried HD cleanse, cleaner wax and clay on this and it has not gotten them all out. I also have tried 3M IHG. I think I need a rubbing or polishing compound but am afraid to do more damage. Any advice on small scratches from unwise hard rubbing?
I got a 95 Hellrot M3. I heard this has no clear coat?
On another note, how do you keep your front air dam looking smooth after all the pits and rock chips?
Thanks in advance!
-///MD

Your best bet to get rid of the bird crap etchings is to repaint your car Estoril Blue.

It's time to try something with an abrasive quality to it.

I'd try a more abrasive cleaner wax like 3M Medium Oxidation Cleaner Wax. I've found the Light version at Napa and the Medium I've ordered from the 3M website.

If you have scratches as well and you have already tried a regular cleaner wax I'd try the 3M Medium as the abrasive quality is still far below a rubbing compound, but it is very effective and won't hurt your finish. I've removed light scratches, oxidation and water spot etchings with the Medium wax and a Porter Cable buffer.

I wouldn't bother trying to remove embedded etchings by hand as it probably will do more harm than good.

I went away last weekend to come home and find a quarter sized poop in the center of my hood, Cosmos black. I washed the car and there was a dull ring with no shine, a whitish color. I finally tried some white polishing compound on a microfiber cloth along with some Meguiars spray detailer. I kept spraying the spot with the detailer and rubbing gently back and forth, front to back in the direction of airflow. I kept the cloth well lubricated with the white polish and the deatiler. After some rubbing the paint shines again and you can slightly notice the ring on a very sunny day, if you know where to look, its barely visible. I cut down the paint as least aggressively as possible and it looks much better than than doing nothing. I NEED to get a car cover! :)

Hellrot has a clearcoat, Mugello doesn't. Zymol's non-abrasive theory is flawed because paint gets flaws that requires an mild abrasive to fix it. 3M IHG only fills in swirls and imperfections, but isn't abrasive so it doesn't actually fix. Bird poop etchings are either permanent or can be removed with a rubbing compound. Basically- you need a machine to achieve the results you are looking for. www.coastaltool.com has a great PC 7424 and www.properautocare.com has all of your pad needs. Good luck and happy detailing!

Great help guys, thanks! I will get a machine and take the leap of faith and sand my car...(figuratively speaking of course).

Best of luck MD. One more tip I'd like to throw in:

Start with the *Least Abrasive* compound you can. In this case I'd start by claying, of course, then begin with 3M Finesse-It II Machine Polish, then if that doesn't take it off move to 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound. That should take care of it.

After the Fine Cut Rubbing Compound you're going to get "compound swirls", which are a collection of minor scratches in one place. You need to use 3M Swirl Mark Remover to buff those off. It works like a charm.

Then seal, wax, and you're good to go!