markd

It's cheaper to get the clay at K-Mart, if they have it (be sure to check the boxes if they do, though, as people tend to steal the clay and re-seal the box). It's only $10 at K-Mart (Meg's) while it's closer to $20 at Pep Boys (Mother's).

Also, it's fine to polish/wax your new car. Just make sure the paint surface is perfectly clean and dirt-free and that you use proper technique. That should minimize swirl marks.

xxdevilzeroxx

okay, who knows how to fill in key marks!!!!!!! i got keyed, i can see the black part of the metal....good thing its only 3/4" long

markd

Ouch! XXDevil, I would take it to a professional detailed and have them buff it out. A friend of mine just purchased a black Tahoe that was full of swirl marks caused by the dealer. He had a detailing shop polish/wax it with their PC and no more swirl marks. Your key mark is deeper than a swirl mark, so you won't be able to remedy it with something like Scratch-X or a rubbing compound that you hand apply. And if the SMR is too aggressive, you may end up marring the paint even more.

Another suggestion I haven't done before--maybe you could fill in the scratch with touch-up paint?

RotaryNoob

Yeah, you won't be able to buff it out if its all the way down to the metal... Best bet is touchup paint. See the "rock chip" thread above.

xxdevilzeroxx

oh man, does that really work?