Small craters in auto-body paint

Tiny Dents in the Finish: A Crosswords Clue Conundrum

This week’s crossword clue has me stumped, and I’m sure it’s doing the same to many of you. It’s one of those seemingly simple clues that, when you think about it, just doesn’t give you enough to go on. The clue is simply: “Small craters in auto-body paint.”

Now, I’m not a mechanic, but I know a car when I see one. I’ve seen plenty of cars with scratches and dings, but the clue specifically mentions “small craters.” This makes me think of something that impacts the surface, but leaves a rounded indentation rather than a scratch.

My initial thought went to hail damage, but that seems a bit too obvious for a crossword clue. Hailstones can create craters, but they are usually quite large and wouldn’t be considered “small.”

I’m left wondering what else could create these tiny craters in paint. Is it a type of insect damage? Could it be a manufacturing flaw? Or maybe it’s something completely different that I’m not even considering.

This is where you, the fellow crossword enthusiasts, come in. Have you ever encountered this clue before? What did you think of when you first read it? Let’s share our thoughts and hopefully crack this puzzle together!

Leave your theories in the comments below!

Available Answers:

FISHEYES.

Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 27 Jul 24, Saturday