Darticus,

The detailing article is dedicated to we **** types. You can read through and just take what you need.

A careful cleaning then clay bar (you can test if you need it by letting your hand glide over the painted surface, if you feel little bumps, you will need to clay bar). You are lucky with your choice of color, silver does not show scratches and swirl marks as readily as a dark (especially black) car.

If you see some of those swirls, then about the only way to get rid (or reduce) them is to use an orbital polisher like a Porter Cable, Meguiar's, Griot's etc (not a $39 special from Pep Boys) with a good polish (not a wax). It can take a lot of time depending on their severity.

Your car is new so there may not be as much. If it is OK then get a good grade of wax and apply. If you are garaging your car and it never gets more than a little dusty, you can use a California Duster daily and a good detailer with a fine quality microfiber cloth to keep it shiny. Every few times you might want to hit it with a good spray wax.

I have tried a lot of different brands but have returned to Meguiar's. Mike in Orange has been a forum member for years and now works for them. His detailing posts and the quality of the products keep me loyal. Here is a picture of some of the products I use to keep a better than showroom look on my Black Beauty.

meguiarskit.jpg