Polish to use once a year after winter

[mark6614]

First of all I would like to thank everyone on this forum for providing so much valuable information. I have been a "lurker" for a while now and have finally decided to post.

I am looking for a polish aggressive enough to use after winter once a year without removing too much clearcoat. After reading many many forums here I see the common answer "prevent the scratches in the first place". The problem is, with the harsh northeast winters it's almost impossible to prevent marring and other scratches on a DD (black) from various things such as road salt and people rubbing against my car.

Would I be able to get away with polishing with Chemical Guys V36 or should I stick to a finishing polish such as v38? Or would spot polishing with v36 and doing the whole car with v38 be an option? The polish recommendations don't have to be CG just using them as examples. Also, the polishing will be done with a DA.

Thanks again for your help!

[cleanmycorolla]

m205 or a paint cleaner

[mdgrwl]

NuFinish of course !

[GenesisCoupe]

V38 will be fine. If you run out of that M205 from Meguire's will work as well, just as good.

and LOL at mdgrwl pic...shamwow guy with layers of make up

[Desertnate]

If you are looking for something you can get over the counter and a little more user friendly, Meguiars Ultimate Polish is always a good option as well.

It's hard to recommend something without a little better idea of the type of car and the condition of the surface.

[mark6614]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It seems like the V38 is a little less aggressive than m205 and almost comparable to UP. Would you guys say V36 is more similar to m205 or would this be too aggressive to use on an annual basis?

[Just02896]

If you have a defect free paint surface, why not just use a cleaner with a DA? If you have any defects, you could spot correct and use a cleaner for the rest. Clearcoat preservation is a must if you keep your vehicles more than 5-6 years!

[mark6614]

Just02896 - the problem is that it isn't defect free. In the winter my car is covered in salt and the touchless car washes still create marring/swirls. I realize that it is a DD and I'm okay living with some of them but if I could use a polish (like the ones mentioned) once a year to minimize the scratches, without removing too much cc, that'd be great.

[Just02896]

Just02896 - the problem is that it isn't defect free. In the winter my car is covered in salt and the touchless car washes still create marring/swirls. I realize that it is a DD and I'm okay living with some of them but if I could use a polish (like the ones mentioned) once a year to minimize the scratches, without removing too much cc, that'd be great.

I see. Well in that case you might want to think about keeping a medium to heavy cut AND a fine polish in your arsenal so you can spot correct the heavier defects and then bring the shine with the finer polish. If you can live with some of the defects, an all in one product might work best for you. Personally I like Sonax and Menzerna. Others have given much praise to Wolfgang Uber.

Menzerna SI1500 and SF4000 would be a great combo which should cover all your needs.

[BlackRam]

You think wg swirl remover 3.0 will be good to fix his paint and bring to a high gloss?