Need advice on GENTLE paint correction

So I just want to get rid of some *very* fine, light swirls from daily use.
Searching for a light polish brings up everything from cutting compounds to AIO’s that will remove “heavy to light” imperfections.
Searching for Finish Polish brings up a lot of the same damn things!
I want the LEAST aggressive - I can always go more aggressive even if it’s just with a different pad but don’t need that right now.
The gamut of polishes is starting to make me dizzy!!!

 

For light scratches I like to use 3m polish step 3 with a black pad. Followed up with a wax or sealer. If you need to remove more then light swirls and scratches you can do step 2 then 3. There are tones of products out there from all different manufacturers this is just my 2cents.

 

@Ckatz53
@War Machine

These guys are great !

 

This stuff is really good and effective. 3D One is another good one.

 

All of the above mentioned information is great. Detailers prefer different products but the majority of the big names will all give you great results. Problem with the detailing world now is it is SO confusing with different names, adjectives, and fluff that manufacturers use to oversell stuff you probably don't need.

In my collection, I use Meguiar's and 3D products almost exclusively. For light/fine swirls, Meguiar's M205 or M210 (probably M210 for your usage) will suffice. Both are a polish with M205 having a bit more cutting abilities (removing worse off scratches) but less finish (still superb) and M210 having a bit less cutting but an excellent finish. If you're afraid some deeper scratches may be leftover, I suggest 3D One like War Machine above (this is a one step product that contains diminishing abrasives that break down and turn into a polish at the end of your cycle). Anything more and you're moving into two step and above territory which really isn't needed for light swirl removal on super soft, albeit junk, Toyota paint.

The other side of this is I assume by your post you're doing this with a DA and pads. Pad selection plays a large role in the finished product too.

To make the bullsh*t I said above easier since I am longwinded when it comes to detail answers: I would use Meguiar's M210 with a foam cutting pad (Lake Country orange CCS for a cheaper pad or Lake Country blue HDO pads if you want the expensive ones). Foam finishes excellent but will give you a little extra oomph on the cutting side to ensure you remove the swirls you're chasing.

If you prefer 3D One as it has a wider range of results for future usage, grab that and some foam cutting pads and you can tackle most anything that gets into your paint's finish.

 

I've used the the 3M Perfect-It products with great success. For swirls, the "3" on the blue circle means the product is specifically for swirl elimination. The color of the circle identifies the 3M foam pad they recommend. I've only used Lake Country foam pads, primarily the CCS orange, but that was with compound for a severe paint correction.



Below is Lake Country CCS foam pad ratings. Note that the pads are rated differently for compound and for polish products.

 

3D speed on a white pad

 

FYI 3D Speed contains a montan wax in addition to its cutting components so if you're planning an sort of LSP like a sealant or a ceramic you would need to use a IPA prep prior to application.

To echo some of the above any of the options mentioned would be good solutions.

I'd personally use a Menzerna 3500 or 4500SF product on a light cutting pad/Finishing pad. Remember to pick the worst spot and get your steps down until you're happy with the finish. Only when you're happy with the product, pads used and # of passes then repeat on the entire vehicle. Most make the mistake of doing an entire vehicle, not being happy with results and then have to go over it again with something more aggressive.

 

I just did my truck this weekend, installing CQuartz UK 3.0. First off, I've been impressed by the durability of the paint over the last year. A few branches dragging across the side by accident going up dark driveways; scraping old, dried sap off the hood from it sitting outside, etc.

I was able to use a lake country white foam pad and Sonax Perfect Finish. That stuff is worth its weight in gold! Got probably 90% of the swirls out and that was good enough for me given the time constraint. Some of the heavier marks I did two passes and was able to significantly clean them up.

I've also heard good things about a lot of Meguiar's products.

 

Meguiars 105 is tried and true but it requires alot of step down to get the finish back to uber glossy. Also it dusts really bad. Just an older formula when there's similar results out there with less work.

M205 is also tried and true and easy to get a nice finish quickly if you have minor swirls. Again dusts a bit but not as bad.

Bottom line newer stuff and better technology has hit the market in droves since M105/205 came out.

 

Thanks for the help guys! I *kinda* thought along the lines you guys pointed me to but needed the confirmation.
The pads I have are mostly Chemical Guys Hex-Logic Quantum. (they were local and had a sale so no shipping)
Red, black, blue, white, green and orange.
I also have a couple LC blue CCS pads.

Browsing polishes now...looking at Megs, I wish places had 16oz bottles instead of 32.
Got some Megs, Jescar & other sample stuff on the way!

 

The HexLogic Quantums will do you just fine. They were my pad of choice before I went to Griots BOSS pads. Make sure you do a test spot to get the product/pad combo that gives you the best results. Just out of curiosity, which polisher do you have?

 

I have an El Cheapo Amazon 5” DA - $50-60 something like that.
If it doesn’t break on the first use it should be okay for using once a year.
I’ll see if there’s some swirls on the roof I can use for a test spot once the polish comes in.

 

FYI Jescar is the US branded Menzerna. Good choice!