Originally Posted by
africanomad
... telling me to contact the US-based eBay seller for satisfaction (who sent me back to Topeak for warranty issues). ...
So you didn't purchase from an authorized retailer? Given that, why would any manufacturer care about a problem you've had?
Originally Posted by
africanomad
... It is a rubber residue on the clearcoat covering the paint.
If it is simply a residue, then remove it with an appropriate solvent.