It's about time for me to get a new car. My current car was a ding magnet- I swear I had some kind of car bad karma and I must have a dozen small dings from people wacking my car with their car doors over the past four years. Anyone had any success getting little dings out? How about buffing little colored smudges out?
Go to any of your auto parts stores, they have some things that might help - but in my experience nothing works real well. Try this I apologize as i am not much of help. If all else fails, just kick a big huge dent in the side of the car, then the little dents and smudges are barely even noticeable.
I had the weirdest thing happen to my car today. I came out of Best Buy and it looked like this? you can see the best buy just behind the car actually.
This happened to some dude's car while he was interviewing at my place of employment. Sad thing is, he didn't get the job!
I'm not sure exactly what happened, but the car burnt everything within 3 feet of it (the grass, a tree, and at least one other car). In another pic, you could see the paint burnt off the SUV parked to the right of the car.
Use 3m adhesive remove and some elbow grease to get out the colored smudges. There is something called paintless dent removal...do a search on it. I was actually looking to get in on that business, but it's going to have to be put on hold until I finish my masters.
Call your dealer and ask who they use for paintless dent removal. It can be pricey ($50-$75 per ding) but it saves you from body and paint work. Don't try and do it yourself. I can attest to the fact that these PDR guys are artists and it takes a certain technique and skill to get a ding out cleanly.
Another vote for Paintless Dent Repair. I had a quarter-sized ding in my Z4 and the guy I used made it disappear leaving me very satisfied with his work. However, you do want to make sure you find someone with experience and you DON'T want to watch! There is clearly skill involved in doing a good job. The guy I used works out of some garage space next to the James Coney Island on Westheimer and Bering. Google "Paintless Dent Repair" you will find a TON of information.
For smudges and scratches that aren't down to the metal - use rubbing compound. You might want to wax it afterward.
