I have found liquid car cleaner wax and a random orbit electric polisher to work easiest for me for this kind of thing. If that doesn't do it, polishing compound will. If you use that stuff, go with the white 'lite' kind as opposed to the red or brown 'heavy' kind. I bet the cleaner wax will take care of it. I've used several brands such as turtle wax and maguiars. All seem about the same to me.

Gary - thank you. However, the news is worse. We retraced my "carsteps" later today. What I sideswiped were not shrubs, it was a low concrete abutment with a painted yellow line. Oddly, the car doesn't look damaged except for the smears of paint. Underneath the paint, though, it's probably scratched, no? Any suggestions? Is the car dealer the best place to take it? DH has been remarkably calm, but we'll be very unhappy if this is not fixable.

Oh-boy! Brushed concrete, did we? That must have made a scraping sound.

When you retraced your steps and found the scraped concrete with yellow paint, did you happen to notice if any of your car's paint transferred to the concrete? If it did, then you have a big ole paint scape right through the top layer of paint.

But if you were ever so lucky and had a slight swipe, maybe just enough to rub off some yellow paint to you car, it should clean off with light scrubbing with a soft cloth and some cleaner. First, try automotove wash soap and water. If more agression is needed, try to lift the yellow paint by gently rubbing it with vaseline. If the vaseline does not work, wash it off with soap and water. Then, try gently rubbing the yellow paint with ordianry automotive wax/polish. Let dry then buff. If that does not work, I'm out of gentle options. It may need re-painting. See an auto body shop.

I'm hoping that you have a clear coat over the paint and that the clear coat was not penetrated. If you don't have a clear coat, you likely have a scratch in you paint. At best, there will be a gouge in the clear coat and that may show even after thorough cleaning. However, it may be possible to buff out a scratch in the clear coat.

If it were me, I still try what I said the first time. Use a random orbit polisher and use cleaner wax which is just car wax with a little rubbing compound in it already. If that's not enough, try white polishing compound. That's just fine grit polishing compound as found in the cleaner wax only there's no wax. If you use that stuff, wax it afterwards. If you don't want to do it yourself, take it to a detail shop and let them take a look. If buffing won't fix it, then I'm afraid you'll have to take it to a body shop if it still bugs you that much. If that's the case, you might want to turn it into your insurance company. Paint work can get pretty spendy these days. jmo

sight unseen, I believe gary__'s answer is as good as it gets.

I think both answers are great, but that JemDandy's is a little easier on the finish..This may end up in a paint shop anyway; but I'd say it is better to remove 98% of the damage and just live with the other 2%..