I bought a new 2015 Fit 3 days ago and when I got home from the dealer I noticed a discoloration around the logo (it's around all the letters, but a little hard to see on the left side in this pic). At first I thought it was scratches or a defect, but then I thought maybe it was wax, so I tried to clean it off. I was able to get most of the residue off the letters (after I took this pic), but it wouldn't come off the area in between and under the letters.

I bought some detailer and spray wax to see if I could clean off or blend in what I thought was wax. I couldn't get it off. The dealer called today to check in and I told him about it. He said he was aware of another customer with a defect in the clear coat in that same spot, so I should bring it to the service center (part of the dealer, but in a different building 5 minutes away). I called service and they said they couldn't confirm if it would be covered by warranty and they'd have to check, they also didn't have any appointments this week (then I lost the call). This dealer is an hour away and if it's covered I'm hoping I can just bring it to the Honda service center in my town.

I wanted opinions on if anyone thought this was a clear coat issue, or just a really bad wax job I couldn't remove (I haven't found detailing clay yet, but I haven't had time to search for it)? I emailed my dealership's customer service and I'm waiting for a reply.

 

maybe bad dealer prep after they first get the car..

 

It's glue from when the car was wrapped during transport. I still have lots of it on my rear hatch and rear hatch glass that i cannot remove. I will need to compound/claybar one day to clean it all up.

 

Light polishing compound will get that right off, that's not clearcoat failure

 

I bought a claybar kit last night and just tried it out. The residue is off the letters, but there is no effect to the lighter, hazy area under the logo. Maybe I should also mention that this area is completely smooth to the touch. The clay didn't pick up anything off it.

I didn't try polishing compound on it, though. I've already spent over $30 trying to get this mark off. I hope you guys are right, though.

 

Clay bar is more for water stains or dirt, you just need a more coarse method and it will come right off

 

can you post a pic, please? i know there have been a change to the painting process when they switched to the new production facility in Mexico. it caused the delay to the Fit release. sounds like you got a bad clearcoat on the hatch (i also did. drips and not completely covered)

 

Waiz, You were right. I went to the service center yesterday because I found out they were only 15 mins from the school I'm taking classes at. The service manager was able to get it off, but he left some light scratches in the clear coat (I didn't see the scratches until I got home because the car was wet when they gave it to me). He said he wasn't sure he would be able to get it off, but he used polishing compound and Qtips and it came off. Do you have any recommendation for something to use on scratches? I think I've seen things in the store.

I'm just glad it was only residue. I wish I posted here sooner, because I would've tried the polishing compound before buying all those other things. Thanks for the tips! This forum is very helpful.

 

Hi TofuShop, it turned out to just be residue in my case, but it was very stubborn to come off. There is a picture of it at the top of the thread. I heard of the clearcoat issue, so that's why I was worried. I'm glad it wasn't in this case.

 

I used Scratch-X on some bumper scratches and it worked great.

 

Glad to hear you got the issue resolved

The past 2 years I got really into detailing my own cars and have spend alot of money on detailing equipment and cleaning products. I couldn't just give you a recommendation on a fix all for scratches since every one is unique and a different method is needed.

Typically what I do is use my Porter Cable polisher and a polishing pad with a light compound from Chemical Guys and that gets out nearly every normal scratch. Anything that is a deeper scratch I use a heavier cutting compound and cutting pad and follow that up with a polisihing pad and polish compound.

If you just treat the scratch by itself without following it up with a polishing you will end up adding swirls so just be careful what you do