Did I damage clear coat paint?

[Silvia]

Yesterday I removed the bonnet vinyl strips off my mini cooper. There was wax build up on the edge of where the stripes were. I used goo gone then rubbed with paper towel over and over again as it was not easy to remove the stripes. After washing the area with Gold class wash, I noticed there is a couple of smudge mark there.

I am wondering now if I damaged the clear coat? I hope not but would feel better if someone tells me I didn't.

[Murr1525]

Re: Did I damage clear coat paint?

Pics may help, but I would really doubt it.

[TOGWT]

Re: Did I damage clear coat paint?

Paper products (shop towels, tissue paper, newspaper, etc) are made from cellulose (wood) fibres, which will invariably cause micro scratches to a paint surface.

[yalerd]

Re: Did I damage clear coat paint?

Probably what you are seeing are some inflicted defects. Pics would help

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Did I damage clear coat paint?

While the Goo Gone was a good choice to remove the residue you encountered, a paper towel might have been just about the worst choice for an applicator (other than a ScotchBrite pad), especially if you had to work it hard. Odds are the "smudging" you're seeing is an area dulled down by the paper towel and it's literally a grouping of very fine scratches. You should be able remove those scratches with some Ultimate Compound and a foam wax applicator pad.