[Perfectlap]

arggghhh...that was a lengthy response that didn't make its way to you. C'est la vie.

anyhooters,

regarding your questions.

I don't think its a huge sin not to use a sealant if you are someone who will be detailing frequently and the paint is rarely "bare". The sealant is usually formulated by the same company that produces the polish to bond with one another. But in my experience the Poorboys EXP or EX work well with most non-Zaino brand polishes. In your case you would of applied the sealant immediately after you used the Meguiar's paint cleanser. Let the sealant cure for 8 hours and then you're done with the seasonal polishing/sealing.

regarding the swirls, if you did have any, the polish would not work to correct swirling. You would need a dedicated rubbing compound of swirl remover which have much harsher abrasives than the mild abrasives found in nearly all polishes and paint cleansers. Some polishes have fillers that cover up swirls temporarily.

As far as you monthly post sealant wax toppers (which is what the 3M hand glaze is, a finishing wax) you can go the bio route (Carnauba) or the synthetic route. If you go with a bio like Souveran or S100 or P21s you'll get couple weeks out of it if the car is outside allot. Longer if you top with FK 425 and you cut down on the dust that bio waxes attract. These are great on dark cars.
These Carnaubas really don't do it for me on light colored cars so I go the lower maintenance, longer lasting synthetic route.
I use Pink Wax or 1000P high temp paste wax from FK1. Either sets up nicely as a "base" wax over the sealant and lasts nearly two months. After washing I can use glossy sprays like $8 Duragloss Aqua Wax (wet look) or the $15 Optimum Spray Wax (sharper candy apple type look) or $20 liquid Souveran (better for dark cars) over the 1000P base for shine boost rather than re-applying the paste wax. No matter what the 425 spray goes over everything before I drive off, wheels, glass, paint, dash.

I wouldn't use that chamois on the paint. The soft top is good but when you are drying you don't want any dragging or squeaking. The best route is spray the damp car with a quick detailer or a diluted Optimum No Rinse mixture in a spray bottle and buff the panel dry with the waffle weave. Avoid dry rubbing at all costs. You can use 425 for the 'lubricated drying' method but you'll use up allot of product, better to apply it once the car is fully dry. For cleaning the trim and weather stripping you can't go wrong with Klasse All In ONe even though I now use Werkstatt Prime Strong as my go to paint polish. Make sure you ask for the pre-VOC Klasse all in one formula if they still sell it. The eco laws have had a bad effect on many polish reformulations.


Also, try the spit shine method to waxing. 1-Spray the freshy washed/clayed CLEAN panel with a quick detail spray, any will do. 2-Apply the wax to the damp panel using a damp foam applicator. 3-let it haze/dry for a few minutes (while you do the next panel) 4- respray the panel. 5- Buff out using the non-furry/short nap side of microfiber or a high quality waffle weave. The key here is to use speed not pressure. The combination of the speed and the water will give you very bright shine with max lubrication. much like shining shoes... If you applied too much wax and have to rub hard to get off the wax just spray more quick detailer, don't rub hard, that's how you etch the clear coat. The 425 spray helps loosen dried wax too.


"A couple of questions while I have your attention. My Zymol is nearly depleted; I’m inclined to get some of their paste wax, though I’m not sure it’s worth the money. My second choices would involve a choice between something like P21S, S100, or Souveran. My first question is whether it’s OK to go JUST with a carnauba, or am I setting myself up for problems by not using a sealant? Maybe the Poorboys EX with carnauba would be a good choice? (I take it that it’s a combo of synthetic sealant with carnauba?) Do you use it (or say the Werkstat Acrylic Jett) by hand, or does it need random orbital action for application?

Another question is: As good as my paint looks (and I think it looks great---I see no swirls even under halogen lamps), is polishing really necessary? (Beyond just continuing with the 3-M hand glaze, which I guess is a mild polish). "