I got a great buy on my black SRT6 earlier this year. It was a Chrysler program car and I am VERY happy with it, but...whoever had it was not kind to the paint. I had a number of visible scratches. I have been happy with Meguiar's so I tried Scratch X. It did remove some of the intensity of the scratches but did not eliminate them (didn't really expect it) I then used Meguiar's new NXT Tech Wax. Besides all their claims at providing the best shine, it does not leave the typical white residue when buffed off.

OK, I admit it, I am a certified nut case about keeping my cars clean. I spend about an hour per day cleaning everything (especially the wheels, another story...and probably a move to Rotex Gold). I consider this time necessary and therapeutic. My job is all about mental work with little physical activity. Working on the car helps keep me sane. And I do take pride in how it looks.

I have seen some of the pics posted that show before and after swirl marks for various products. It does appear that NO product eliminates them but many do reduce them. When I clean the car in the garage (fluorescent lighting) there is not a swirl mark in sight and the deep gloss finish looks and feels like polished glass. Then it goes out in the sun...ugh! much reduced but swirl marks still there. I tried going back to my previous wax FW1 that kept all of my previous cars (none black) looking great with no immediately visible swirl marks. OUCH! back to square one...horrible swirl marks...a treatment with Scratch X and an application of NXT and looking much better.

So here is my question...those of you with black Crossfires, have you found a product that PRACTICALLY eliminates swirl marks (in direct sunlight)? Do they really almost completely disappear with Zaino Z5 multiple coats? Does Zymol Cobalt really fill in and nearly eliminate the swirl marks or am I achieving as much as I should expect using NXT (about an 80% reduction)?

One last point, I remember reading an article on wax vs polish. Something about was allowing the paint to breath and stay healthy. While polish would seal the surface looking great but eventually causing problems with the finish (paint was smothered I suppose). I can't remember where I saw this "study" (maybe it was sponsored by the American Carnauba Council). Do we have any paint specialists out there that know about this?