I would NOT bypass the claying step ever. it is the single most important step in removing dirt from your car. Your orbital will just be scratching the dirt on your paint otherwise.

My semi annual detailing involves:

- wash with dawn (removes previous polish/sealent)
- clay
- wash
- Menzerna SIP with orange pad; PC 7424
- Menzerna 106FF with white pad; PC 7424
- Klasse Sealant Glaze
... wait a week
- Klasse Sealant Glaze
.. wait a week
- Klasse Sealant Glaze
- optional top coat of P21S carnuba wax (though there is a haze effect of the wax on top of the sealant).

Car looks good as new with just a wash for the rest of the season.

Awesome guys......lots of great advise, I really appreciate it and will try the steps. The paint job is really in great shape, just need to deal with those swirl marks. It is surprising how little paint chips are on the car. I'm excited and cant wait for winter to end to do my spring cleaning on it.

You WONT be scratching your paint by avoiding the clay step. The Menzerna SIP will cut the mild oxidation out. I do agree on claying if the car is pretty bad, but cars only get really bad here in NY with the pollution and dirt. I haven't seen much oxidation in other areas of the country. I haven't used Klasse, but I hear it is great, just difficult to remove. The Zaino leaves an amazing shine, and is rather easy to use.

AM_VER's steps will work, as will mine. The secret to remove the swirls is just to use a Porter Cable 7424 with an Orange Pad, and Menzerna SIP. That'll get rid of all the nasty swirls and light scrathes. From there on, use whatever you want to polish and protect.

AM_VER if you have to RE-PROTECT your car TWICE a year, then your paint protection OBVIOSULY isn't protecting your clearcoat. You are destroying your car by using SIP TWICE a year. You should NOT be washing with Dawn, or using Menzerna more than ONCE. Unless your paint keeps getting destroyed.

You ONLY need to re-apply the polish/protectant every few months. If you have some oxidation or crap in certain areas, you can clay to remove the damage. Otherwise, you're just killing the paint. Menzerna is a Compound, so it removes a layer of clearcoat everytime it's used.

I always heard that if you run your fingers over the paint and can feel little bumps stuck to the paint, then the car could benefit from clay.

ZAINO the hell out of it. ive used everything under the sun. wash, clay it, then use the zaino z2 polish. it comes in z2 regular and z5 for swirls..

Glas to see that there is another Zaino fan. If you try it, you will understand that it is the best.

hey kevin have u tried the zaino clear seal? man i applied it in november before the snow and salt season. water is STILL beading like crazy. and it took 15 min to apply..good stuff

I am a big fan of the clear seal. I am waiting for my hose to defrost so that I can hopefully wash the car this afternoon.

i hear u man. my hose has been frozen for weeks. i need a 60 degree day