I have a problem with a 2020 cx 5 soul red and I have read the long thread about soul red but cannot duplicate this problem.. Getting Paint chips on my front hood but I am also getting these mark on my suv in different parts ( see pics ) I know some are paint chips but the smaller ones are throwing me off they are not above the paint and are smooth claybar does nothing..( if you look close it looks like an overspray ) Also I find if I rub an area off the car with my finger I find I actually scratch the clear coat in which I have to buff out or they stay in the clear coat thank you

 

Hard to tell by the pictures... it really does look like overspray of some type. Could be fallout from other vehicles, like brake dust and such. Have you tried an Iron and Fallout Remover product?

 

I would strongly suggest folks with SR have PPF installed when they buy. I had a lot of chips on my '19 MG (which seems to be delicate like SR) hood in less than 20k miles. As it was leased I had not added PPF. With the '21 I just purchased I had PPF installed immediately on the entire hood, front bumper and quarter panels. I am hoping I will have a beautiful looking car for many years to come.

 

Its hard to tell in the picture what you have going on? No mater what paint you have figure can be as effect as fine sand paper on any paint finish. Don't rub your paint with your bare hand.
MAZDA paint formula and thickness is the same pretty much with their complete line of retail offered vehicles. I have been hesitant to post the formal (which anyone that can get OEM paint can do) because you all have the impression that have SOLE RED think its a conspiracy having to do with "THIN PAINT" by MAZDA and want to stand your ground that it is the RED SOLE that is special like no other color. It's not but I will say that the primer and base coat have a lot to why many that have sole red notice it quickly.
There really is only one protection for many model vehicles to protect the front end and that is a clear bra. Or getting it repainted and using slightly different clear coat consideration? But I would still consider a clear bra even with that!

FYI for those that want to debate before you do go look at my IMHO well kept, cleaned and maintained (to the level of obsession) 2018 MAZDA 3 with Mica Black at 32,000 miles and the front end looks like some of the worst posted Sole Red Mazda examples on this and a few other Mazda forums. LOL

 

So your 3 doesn't have PPF? That surprises me.

 

I waited to long to install a 3m clear bra.

I was busy debunking CAIs, catch cans, some suspension items like worthless strut tower braces and a few other BS mods, along with rolling up the engineering specification on stock cams and making my own my *cam shafts cut, (yes I do that for a living ) my one off *larger throttle body, my own custom design exhaust system using a DYNO to adjust and find the best parts for a true increase in torque , unlocking the MAZDA ECU for full access calibration tables and ECU/EFI Performance Calibrating and many more go faster/quicker , goodies for my personal MAZDA that really work. For MY MAZDA.

Unfortunately while designing and having some body work done for the hood scoop I pictured a long time ago time passed and I did not get around to a clear bra. At some point it is a waste of time labor and material cost to cover already damaged body parts At some point likely this summer I may repaint the complete body anyway. Same Mica Black but with more Pearl and more clear. Then definitely a clear bra.

* These parts are designed researched and engineered by me solely for for personal use and not for retail or offered with my line of parts and services.

 

Soul Red has a pearl white base coat in multi step finish, hence the $595 factory surcharge for that finish as well as Machine Gray metallic. Any repair usually gets you a multi step paint surcharge from bodyshop having had scratch repairs on 2 CX's resulted in a multicoat surcharge for both repairs. On plus side if your bodywork shop is especially talented with multi coat techniques either Soul Red or Machine Gray can be repaired with results that are indistinguishable from the factory finish. Obviously the contrast between red or Machine Gray & pearl white is high as your photo's demonstrate and any chips or wear\contact spots illuminates the higher contrast when base coat is exposed.

 

-WHITE hides dirt and dings very well-- chips...cant say - undercoat color is a factor Rhoidum white however is ceramic-