Reddit mentions of Meguiar's G17220 Ultimate Compound, Scratch and Swirl Remover, 20 oz.

Here’s a straightforward shopping list and beginners guide. This will knock out most if not all of your swirl marks.

Shopping List:

Machine Polisher - PORTER-CABLE Variable Speed Polisher, 6-Inch (7424XP) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002654I46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_l7SADbKPP1Q6Q

Backing Pad - Astro 4607 5" PU Velcro Backing Pad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CH3Z8W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T7SADbZ187WK1

Buffing Pads - Chemical Guys HEX_3KIT_5 5.5" Buffing Pad Sampler Kit (4 Items), 16. Fluid_Ounces, 4 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J588UNG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_d9SADb8WF470V

Compound - Meguiar's G17220 Ultimate Compound, 20 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W5HCZ9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_M9SADb0ADEMZJ

Finishing Polish - Meguiar's M20532 Mirror Glaze Ultra Finishing Polish, 32 Fluid Ounces, 1 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001O7PNXC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_i-SADbWXADMQT

Wax - Your preference


Here’s the guide:

1 – Tool Prep

Set aside the dual-action polisher, backing pad, and foam pads. Remove the included backing plate that’s already attached to the Porter Cable polisher, use the included wrench. Re-attached using the Astro pad, secure tightly.

2 – Wash

Wash your car by hand, preferably using the two-bucket method. Afterward, move the car into your garage or shaded area. You’ll want to be out of direct sunlight, keeping the paint as cool as possible.

3 – Clay Bar

Clay bar the entire car. Make sure to wipe down the finish afterward, keeping it as clean as possible.

4 – Compound Buffing

Grab your machine polisher, the Ultimate Compound, and the orange pad. Attach the pad to the polisher using the velcro backing, make sure it’s centered. Prime the pad by dabbing 8-10 dime-sized amounts across the surface. Start working one section at a time, around 2 x 2 feet. Before you turn on the polisher, press the pad against the paint. Compound polish should be soaked within the pad, along with the paint. Press the pad against the surface, set to speed setting 2-3, and begin spreading the compound around in quick passes. Then, turn it up to 5-6 and let the fun begin. Use overlapping, slow passes. Once you’re done, wide the area clean with a microfiber towel.

5 – Inspection

Check out your results of the first section. Go over the area again if most of the swirl marks aren’t gone. If the swirls are gone, but a light haze is present, don’t worry. The finishing polish will take care of it.

6 – Polish Buffing

Use the M205 Finishing Polish with the white pad. Follow the same steps from before. Prime the pad and rub it against the paint before turning on the polisher. Use a max speed of 3-4 with medium pressure. The Finishing Polish will take care of the rest of the haze and micro scratches. Once you’re finished with the first section, wipe clean.

7 – Inspection

Again, check out the results of the M205 Finishing Polish. It’s doubtful you’ll need more than one application, but double-check all the same. If it’s looking great, move on and finish the rest of your car.

8 – Wax

Your paint is looking great. The swirl marks are gone, leaving a bright clean finish. Apply the wax using the black foam pad. Use very light pressure, letting the pad float along with the paint. You’re just coating your car’s finish, that’s all. Wipe clean with a microfiber towel.

Thanks for the advice. I did a test spot where the decal was dark blue and once removed had underlying spider cracks (very small but noticeable). I used 1500 grit with a very slow speed on the DA polisher with light pressure and lots of water. The cracks were gone when I finished (it did not take long). After sanding I used Meguiar's Ultimate Compound with an orange pad rated at 3000 grit. I had a reasonable starting point to polish and wax from there, I believe. The surface looked quite smooth to me. The only spots getting sanded are where the spider cracks are from the deep blue/dark color decals. I have read where I could do a full wet sand starting with 1000 up through 3000 and then you would not be able to tell where the decals started and ended. I am not that good nor do I want to spend that amount of time.

I will post some before and after pictures of each stage. I am going to finish up with Ultimate Polish and Ultimate Wax.

Hopefully that's just plastic from the scrapper. You can use Magic Eraser as already mentioned, or you could try with some cutting compound like this: https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17220-Ultimate-Compound-fluid_ounces/dp/B06W5HCZ9M

If you don't have a buffing tool, but do have a power drill, you can get buffing pads like these: https://www.amazon.com/TCP-Global-Buffing-Polishing-Backing/dp/B0021KZFCA/

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G17220-Ultimate-Compound-fluid_ounces/dp/B06W5HCZ9M/?tag=car-scratch-removers-pcr-20#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div

I have one in my garage and I know a lot of people use that one as well.

It was a long day, but I'll try to get all the steps:

1. Pressure wash rinse
   
2. Foam Cannon with this soap: Meguiar's D11101 Shampoo Plus, 1 Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EZICII/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_oxzpDb7HHDC15
   
3. Rinse soap with pressure washer
   
4. Foam Cannon a second time
   
5. Hand wash
   
6. Rinse with pressure washer
   
7. Clay bar entire car using this as lubricant for claybar: Meguiar's A3332 Quik Detailer Mist & Wipe https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXAE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TzzpDbE2QMHHC
   
8. Pressure wash rinse.
   
9. Mist car if necessary to make whole thing wet again
   
10. Hand dry
    
11. Pull car into garage
    
12. Use this soap for all black components (grill, fog light area, side mirrors, rear near exhaust, louvers): MEGUIAR'S D16001 All Season Dressing - 1 Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006SH4NW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xBzpDbQMV3FRF
    
13. Using dual action buffer, apply this to whole car (then wipe off) : Meguiar's G17220 Ultimate Compound, 20 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W5HCZ9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aEzpDbQP8ACGE
    
14. After compound do the same with this: Meguiar's G19220 Ultimate Polish, 20 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X413M7J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DEzpDbMMQPD91
    
15. After the polish do the same with this: Meguiar'S Liquid Wax 16 Oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FVFF8ZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_iFzpDbTP1418C
    
16. Remove carpets and vaccuum
    
17. Shampoo and vaccum footwells and carpets. (I forget what product we used but it wasn't meguiars lol)
    
18. Apply the following to whole car by hand then wipe off: Meguiar's G18309 Ultimate Fast Finish, 8.5 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WP6PXT7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_QHzpDbPFJ8HMD
    
19. Polished the exhaust with this: California Custom Purple Metal Polish 12 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MNKM9A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1IzpDbTHWF6B9
    
    
    I feel obligated to say that I'm not associated with Meguiar's at all. I was doing all this with my brother who's a detailing enthusiast and he's a bit of a fan boy.
    
    Also I don't have a ton of details on the rest of the interior because my brother started that before I arrived.
    
    All in all it was about 5 hours, with some time spent on the interior before I arrived we also spent some time fixing up some stuff like mounting the window louvres and making the exhaust hang even in the back.