What polish to use

[blown motor]

This is what I've been using to polish and wax the cars. Someone said that on black cars I should be using a finer cut polish, like a 2 instead of the 4. I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on this.

[Cuda Cody]

I have used Meguiar's cutting system on new paint when I'm wanting to cut the clear coat flat and it works great.  Once I have it where I want I stop using cutting compounds and switch the old school polymers.  I have used Zaino and like it, but there's lots of others out there. People seem to love the newer Ceramics but I have not tried them yet so I can't say much about it.  I found this on Chevy forum that talks about the differences...

"Basically there are 2 major but different types of protection chemistry profiles that are widely used - polymers and ceramics (a.k.a. SiO2). Now we are on the verge of a third and newer chemistry profile - Graphene. But for now I'll just discuss the basic two. There is also PPF - paint protection film which is laid over the clear coat and is the ultimate form of protection from rock chips and scratches. Only a pro install product, so I won't go into this at all. Besides there are tons of PPF videos out there and they offer pretty compelling evidence why PPF is a valid choice.

Before I go any further please understand that I am not stating that one system is completely superior to another. Looks are subjective; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, hydrophobicity, endurance, and gloss can be "proven". Some products do an obviously better job at certain things than others, in other cases the results of different attributes will be more subjective. So, in the end the choice you make is your preference that is hopefully guided by the knowledge you gain after reading our discussions and your own experimentation. We all use what we like and we feel is best for us. I like to refer to this as the "comfort zone" of products each have elected to be our go-to products.

OK so enough preamble already...let's get into it.

Polymers
Polymers are an older type of chemistry as compared to SiO2. They are still extremely compelling, valid, and significant. Many times they are the preference over SiO2 for various reasons. As a small example, they play well with Carnauba waxes, SiO2 does not. So if you are an old school wax guy, here is where you want to be. They also play well with some SiO2 products like detail sprays. Many guys will use a ceramic detail spray on a car sporting a polymer sealant. They resist water spotting a little better than an SiO2 coated car (without any water spotting protection products added). They can have (in my opinion) a more wax-like glow to them than ceramic coated cars do...a tad more organic and deep.

Zaino is polymer based. As you know, Zaino is a "system" of products designed to work together to achieve the final Zaino "look" that many Corvette enthusiasts have come to know and love over the years. Typically, the Zaino user will stick to mostly the Zaino system of products and end up layering. When I say system I refer to a combination of products that lay down a basic layer of protection, usually called sealants or sacrificial layers and then toppers which ride on the sealants to boost and reload their chemical properties, and then finally an LSP (last step products) which are basically things like detail sprays, and other shine and gloss enhancing products which make up the third layer, that will also add a bit of extra protection, but are more for gloss and enhancement - mostly aesthetics.

If i were to use a polymer sealant and system, I'd likely go with Jesscar Powerlock + or Polish Angel Master Sealant. I'd likely top with Beadmaker as a gloss enhancing spray or TAC Systems Shinee Wax , or Xtreme Solutions Poly-Seal and maybe use a paste wax from time to time, or something like PolishAngel Rapid Wax.

Ceramics - SiO2
SiO2 (siica dioxide) comes from quartz. It is known for extreme water beading and shedding, high durability to UV and contamination, it stays cleaner as it repels dirt better, and as a result it is easier to maintain since much of the basic contaminants can be blasted off with a pressure washer. Think of it like non-stick cookware for your car. In terms of the looks department I find it to be extremely radiant, gloss producing, reflective and razor sharp. It is a candy like gloss that is not as warn as a polymer and carnauba combination. If you were to think in terms of CD vs vinyl records, it is the digital to the polymer's analogue."

[blown motor]

Thanks @Cuda Cody Good information. Is PPF referring to a wrap? The paint on my 68 Charger is gorgeous and maybe it's worth a wrap for protection if that's the best shield to be had. Or would that detract from the value of the car since it's a big step from originality. Keep in mind it is a true R/T car but I have no fender tag or build sheet.

[Cuda Cody]

@blown motor  yes PPF is a clear vinyl film to protect from rock chips.  It's not something I would do on your car.

[RUNCHARGER]

On my Viper I'm pretty gentle on it but do claybar any offending dirt off it when required then I Meguires it. No swirlies or anything else. My best friend has a black 76 Trans Am he bought new and he's never had to polish it either and it has never had a swirl in it. So I do what he does! No machinery will ever get used on my car. I am going to put that clear wrap on the Viper on the bottom where the rockers are facing the road though. The sticky tires on the Viper pick pebbles up off the road and fire them into the rockers.

[Moprr]

I was at a show this summer and there was a guy with a black fastback mustang that had an amazing shine on it.  After speaking to him he uses a product called M-ron glass.  its a cleaner and wax in one.  Application is different as they say its better to sit out in the sun.  Seems to have good reviews don't know if anyone here ever tried it or heard of it.