I would also be careful with buffing. Our element got some scratches on the plastic when we took it into Honda for service. So the dealership said they could remove the scratches. Whoever did the work must have used a buffer and now we have some smooth spots on the plastic. In one spot, it even looks like they held the buffer in one spot too long and it begane to melt the plastic.
They are now going to order us a new fender and front end.