Very stupid decision with the paint... HELP!!!

I was giving my white Prius a wash yesterday, something I am not so used to doing since I recently traded in my Jeep for it (no joke) and did something I definitely should not have done. There were a few spots that I couldn't get to go away no matter how hard I scrubbed with the soap soaked towel so I used a kitchen sponge. That didn't work either so I went to the other side of the sponge, the tougher green side that didn't really seem that abrasive. Well... after getting all of those spots off with ease the huge error of my ways was apparent in the sunlight and I had worn the paint down in all of those various locations . Not worn down completely, but definitely noticeable. Hard lesson learned. Now my question is there any less painful way of fixing this issue, maybe a clear coat and a good wax job or will that just make those less-than-shiny white spots smoother and do nothing for the color. Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated, I am obviously trying to keep cost low and my car looking good.

Lance

I don't pretend to understand the dymanics of modern auto paint but I have reserched products for buffing up my 2005 Prius. Consumer Report tested car waxes and scratch repair products and made a video. If you go to Youtube and search "quixx scratch remover" you'll see several demos by pros and regular users.

I can say that I had spectaular results using the recommended QUIXX Scratch Repair on my Super White Prius. Also the QUIXX car wax has served me well. I bought my stuff on eBay but have since seen it for good price at Wal-Mart.

Good luck!

The Consumer Repots test even used the Scotch-Bright scouring pad for part of their tests lol.

http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly/living/autos/cr-rates-paint-scrathc-removers-70810.shtml

Any pictures?

Ziano fixed up some scratches our dog made in my wife's black car. It was work, but 3 years later they still look good.

Is the Blizzard pearl a true pearl coat over white, if so did you cut through the pearl? I would definitely visit a paint shop and see about a clear coat.

You can also ask about it here: Auto Detailing 101 - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

Unless you scrubbed pretty hard for a rather long time, the scratches are probably still in the clear coat layer and it looks cloudy because the scratches are messing up the optical properties. In this case, it can be corrected. Better leave it to a pro as you don't know what you're doing.

I did that once...on a Toyota powered RV.....I think I was going after tree sap and bird s**t.

The bug scrubber sponges don't scratch and you can get a decent bug and tar removing product at most auto supply places.....spray on and wait a bit.

I'm in Florida and it's love bug season...again. That Zylon treatment I got at the dealer is looking like a waste of $$$.

I agree that it's likely you've just scuffed the clear coat.

On the "cheap" you can always experiment with any over the counter, user friendly waxes and polishes. Meguiars and others, make some very easy to use products. As long as you follow the directions and use the proper tools, you wouldn't be doing any further damage.

But if it was me? I would take it to a professional detailer, who is likely to have seen similar damage in the past. A good detailer will be relatively expensive but should have the not only the tools and products, but skills to hopefully resolve the problem.

I HATE it when the love bugs come every year. Those things can ruin a wash job in 30 seconds of driving.

There should be plenty of clearcoat left to be able to use a scratch remover or paint cutter paste like T-Cut followed by a good polish then wax, an easy DIY job.
Try it one one inconspicuous area and if it works then DIY the rest, if not then get the pro's on the job.

The Blizzard pearl is more than two layers. There is a white base, then the pearl coating, then clear coat.

I have two touch up paints, one is white, that goes on first, then use the pearl. I believe the white is 770-BC and the pearl is 770.

Go get the pearl touch up paint and slap that on there. Should be good to go.

Spend some time on autogeek or autopia.com. A little time spent learning how to properly treat your paint will save you a lifetime of heartache with your car.

I don't suppose you have access to an orbital buffer/polisher and some rubbing compound. I also think that you just scratched the clear coat and should be able to fix with some light buffing (not by hand). A picture will tell a lot here.

I'd need to see a picture to gauge the damage. What you'll need to do will depend on how deep into the paint you cut. At the very worst, touch up paint and rattle-can clear (following by cure periods, careful high-grit sanding between coats, then cutting/buffing and polishing) should take care of it. But perhaps you won't have to go to those extremes.

CAUTION: getting a base match is sometimes difficult! Watch out.

PS - If your paint is water-based, the procedures are slightly different; but I'm not sure Toyota does that yet.

The pot scrubber side of those sponges are not for use on painted surfaces, says so on the package. Didn't Dennis Leary's kids wash his car with steel wool? Cars are made of metal, seemed like a logical choice.

Here are a few pictures, I will need to get a better camera and get some clearer shots. I am about to go to up to Colorado but right after the weekend this will become priority, thanks for all of the replies, I think the detailing idea is pretty solid, at least to just get a professional opinion, I just hope it isn't crazy expensive. Sorry that the pictures aren't great.