Use a sanding block so you take down the hight spots. I tried sanding without the block and ruined my hood. It took the paint from around the spot down to the white primer.

 

I thought Mazda used a Black primer? If not, what is the black layer? I do see a white layer, but thats above the black.

 

I went to a VW dealer once when his Jetta went it for an oil change and I noticed some of their cars have a bra made of thin transparent material, which they apply directly to the car. You don't notice it until you get very close. I think they are great given it doesn't damage the paint, however, at the expense of lesser protection. But then my friend told me waxing it forms a crust around the edge of the bra on the hood.

 

That's 3M product. You can get ones made specifically for our cars at www.xpel.com

As far as the "crust" - I would think an old toothbrush would get rid of that - same as any other crevice you'd accidentally get wax in.

XPel also has the clear 3M material by the foot in different widths. I'm thinking of getting some and doing the rear bumper, and maybe the front corners - I think it would help protect my car from little nicks and scratches when the parking garage attendants decide to play bumper cars. I've already settled with one place for damages (just a few nicks, but it pissed me off), now I need to get the bumper repaired, then maybe slap on some of that 3M stuff, and my bumper step plate.

 

Personally, I think that clear stuff is impractical. It will protect from small nicks but fair size stones will produce damage. Repairing damaged area in that clear stuff is very difficult. I'd say, let the chip (stone) fall where they may. Little dings, scratches and swirl marks are just part of life owning a car. Learn to live with it.

 

I totally agree that the little chips and nicks are part of life, but....

This 3M material has an IMPRESSIVE guarantee:

They make 2 types - one is for the bumper and leading edge of the hood (like a bra) and the other is for the headlights and fogs (thicker material).

They guarantee that this stuff will prevent a 1 inch stone travelling at 100 MPH (!) from doing any damage (paint damage or cracks to the lights). This stuff carries a $1000 insurance deductible reimbursement if you do get damage.

I am just thinking of using some to prevent the little scrapes that can damage the bumpers - when they unfortunately get USED as bumpers.

And since I just noticed a nice whack in one of my fogs, the guarantee for the lights is VERY enticing.

 

I have seen cars with that clear stuff on it, it looks good when its new, hardly noticable. I've also seen cars that had it on for a period of time, and you can differentiate colour tones. Suppose you had it on and somehow damage had occurred. I would think a claim wouldn't be that easy, you might probably have to go through a lot of doors, proving receipt, picture, who, what, where, when, why, how, etc.. I am pretty sure that head / fog lights are designed to withstand propable impact (small stones), but in life, unfortunate things do happen (big stones).

 

I think the clear thing for the bumpers would be good... considering how people with old cars can't care less about their car and just park anyway they want and screw up another car in the process.