Paint Discoloration under License Plate Bracket

[sandwiches]

Hey all! New member. When I took delivery of my car a few months back, I removed the front license plate bracket, waxed the bumper underneath it (Meguiar's #26) , and reinstalled the bracket. When I removed the bracket today, there is this dark discoloration where the bracket made contact with the bumper all this time. It is smooth to the touch. I used polishing compound, and then rubbing compound, to no avail. Is there anything I can do about this? I've included photos.

[Accumulator]

It looks like the black finish of the bracket somehow transferred to your clearcoat due to constant contact. Sorry, but you might have to live with it. Even if continued polishing *did* get it out, you don't want to keep doing that indefinitely, you'd run out of clear. You might try clay or a chemical paint cleaner, though.

[zzyyzx]

Are you going to keep the license plate bracket on? If so, I'd just do a really good job polishing and waxing and then live with it. It will probably happen again and again. If you're making this a show car or something, do your best and if it's not perfect, it might be something to repaint if you're that competitive. My 97 Accord has the same thing except worse... after long use, the license plate bracket will actually "move" the paint. Kinda hard to describe, but it's like a scratch, but not deep and skinny. Everywhere it's made contact it's left a permanant impression. Too much to buff out with a rotary as I'd lose all my clearcoat and most of my paint. Now I'm moving to a state that doesn't use front plates, so I'm just going to do my best. Good luck!!!