So I just purchased this car about a month ago. I set out to do it right from the beginning, since my last car was not taken care of by the previous owner. So I purchased some Gold glass, some wash mitts, and some waffle weave towels. I then put on some 2.0 wax. Well, I had my windows tinted about 3 weeks after I got the car, I had not washed it yet. I had already refused the dealer "detail" but it was too late I guess, because at the tint shop in direct sun at the right angle I noticed swirl marks ("Dealer installed").
I washed it with the wash mitt, but no grit guard (did not know about this at the time). So now I have some minor lines around my A-pillars and a few on the rear bumper. I have a clear bra on the front of the car/headlights so I don't have to worry about that.
I'm going to pick up a electric DA, probably a kit. My questions are:
Since I have MINOR swirl marks and and scratches in the clear coat, what polish should I use with the electric? Also, just a regular finishing pad or a polishing pad, then finishing pad to apply the wax? The surface still feels smooth, I can't feel any of the tiny scratches. It just drives me crazy when I see it in direct sun.
I picked up a grit guard and some quick detailer. I will also get some clay to do the entire process when I have a few days off over Christmas. Unfortunately I live in an apartment and have to rely on going home or going to a friends house to wash. My process:
Gold class, I have one bucket with grit guard, meguiar's wash mitts, waffle weave towels
full clay
Meguiar's paint cleaner/ColorX? I don't think my swirls/scratches are deep enough for ScratchX yet. I basically want to preserve as much of my clearcoat as possible.
Meguiar's deep polish?
Meguiar's 2.0 wax
I'm afraid of using heavy cutting pads/liquids on such a new car. I will get some heavier stuff to experiment on my dad's old beater though. I've read tons of threads on here, but still note quite sure what to use.
Here are some pictures:
http://i41.tinypic.com/24vpv68.jpg
I washed it with the wash mitt, but no grit guard (did not know about this at the time). So now I have some minor lines around my A-pillars and a few on the rear bumper. I have a clear bra on the front of the car/headlights so I don't have to worry about that.
I'm going to pick up a electric DA, probably a kit. My questions are:
Since I have MINOR swirl marks and and scratches in the clear coat, what polish should I use with the electric? Also, just a regular finishing pad or a polishing pad, then finishing pad to apply the wax? The surface still feels smooth, I can't feel any of the tiny scratches. It just drives me crazy when I see it in direct sun.

I picked up a grit guard and some quick detailer. I will also get some clay to do the entire process when I have a few days off over Christmas. Unfortunately I live in an apartment and have to rely on going home or going to a friends house to wash. My process:
Gold class, I have one bucket with grit guard, meguiar's wash mitts, waffle weave towels
full clay
Meguiar's paint cleaner/ColorX? I don't think my swirls/scratches are deep enough for ScratchX yet. I basically want to preserve as much of my clearcoat as possible.
Meguiar's deep polish?
Meguiar's 2.0 wax
I'm afraid of using heavy cutting pads/liquids on such a new car. I will get some heavier stuff to experiment on my dad's old beater though. I've read tons of threads on here, but still note quite sure what to use.
Here are some pictures:
http://i41.tinypic.com/24vpv68.jpg
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