So I'm cleaning up the car yesterday, swirl and scratch remover then a coat of wax and I notice specs in the paint (black). It almost looks like metal flake, with the top surfaces having more of it then the sides of the car. Is this just crap imbedded in the paint? Is it time to learn how to use a clay bar?

 

clay bar will do the job excellently

you can get kits for like $15 or so, i'm sure at your local automotive store... its really easy - just wash your car down with dawn or something like that (dish soap) first

 

It sounds like you should be able to clay that stuff right off of there. The worst spots on my Camaro are the front fascia (obviously), side view mirrors and rear bumper. Have you used the clay bar before?

 

I wash my car regularly and still have the problem sometimes. I think that it is just dirt that has accumlated on the car because when I scrub with a little pressure they come off. It should be noted that my car does not sit outside and this still occurs sometimes.