Good evening all. I’m new to the group and new to having just purchased my Jaguar XE Rsport. After washing and detailing it I’ve noticed these white (scratch like) marks on the black shiny trim between the 2 doors on the pillars. They’re on both sides. Has anyone else had these and know if anything that removes them. They’re almost as if they’re under the surface and I’ve tried multiple products and nothing gets rid of them. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!?

 

When you find out, we'll both know. Good photography to show the marks, btw.
Have you tried rubbing compound? Maybe a polish would be less aggressive. Anybody?

 

Is it just the clear coat that is scratched?

If so I would wet sand with 3000 grit sand paper. If you were to do this you would know whether it is clear coat by the whitish "emulsion" showing up from sanding. If it were to be colored black then no clear coat.

I would not want to go much more coarse than 3000 grit however if it is clear coat and no progress getting rid of scratches I would go with 2000 grit then back up to 3000 then a final glazing compound such as Menzerna SF3500-8 Super Finish Polish.

I have been doing this on my hood after respraying it.

By the way in watching dozens of Youtube videos on this many advise using 1600 or even 800 grit on the clear coat to get rid of orange peel in the clear coat which is what I have been doing. MAJOR mistake for me as the 1600 grit left fairly deep scratches which were a pita to eradicate.

Skill in doing this is imperative so you know when to stop after each step. You will need a "soft: pad to present the sand paper. Not your hand/fingers.

 

Odd that they are on both sides of the car.
Have you tried Meguiars scratch remover, followed by wax?

HTH

 

I had some issue similar to that after picking up my XE from service. They were replaced under warranty. I believe the color is solid on those pieces. You could try a headlight restoration kit like from Meguiars. Try the light stuff like clay bar and work your way down the list of more aggressive applications.