i have a graphite srt6 coupe and it has been about 3 years since i bought it. the paint it PERFECT and smoother than a babies behind. but there is a unnecessary amount of hairline scratches on my hood and swirls all over the hood that when light is reflected on it, it is just disgusting...are all the graphites like this or is it something i am doing?

 

What have you been using to wash the car? Maybe what you use could be an issue. I have an SSB about 1 year and see no scratches/swirls on any flat surface.

 

I have a graphite roadster and haven't had a problem. I used a different wax on my black honda ridgeline and got the swirls. Had to get the detail shop to help get it out.

 

Fine swirls, cobweb scratches, etc come primarily from improper washing, drying and wiping techniques. A lot of people use cotton terry cloth towels to wash and dry the car - bad idea since terry cloth itself can have a "bite" to it and inflict fine scratches. It is imperitive that you keep all your washing tools - wash mitt, towels, etc - as clean as possible. Using the right stuff is important too: always wash with either a 100% natural sheepskin wash mitt or a microfiber mitt, and always dry with waffle weave microfiber drying towels. Rinse your wash mitt regularly while washing to remove any dirt that build up in it. Always wash from the top down; start with the roof, then the hood and trunk, then the sides above the belt line, etc.

Drying should be done with clean waffle weave microfibers after allowing a steady stream of water to run out of the hose and sheet the majority of water off the surface. Doing this you'll remove probably 80% or more of the water meaning there's less to dry. Don't drag the towels over the surface if you can avoid it. Using a natural chamois isn't a great idea since there's no place for any errant dirt to go but get dragged across the surface. Not good.

Applying wax or sealant should be done with a soft foam applicator pad, or a microfiber applicator pad. It makes no difference if you apply in straight lines or in a circular pattern - if you're using quality products that won't scratch the paint then they won't scratch the paint, simple as that. Removal of the wax once it's hazed over should only be done with a clean microfiber towel. Always apply wax in a very, very thin coat. Thick coats just waste product and make the wax more difficult to remove. Difficult removal can lead to scrubbing of the paint, and that can mar the finish.

A quick detail spray can be used to remove very light dust and fingerprints, in conjunction with a clean microfiber towel. This combination can be used safely if done correctly - I do it several times a week and the paint on both my cars is still totally defect free even after more than a year since polishing my daily driver to perfection (I've not even owned my Crossfire that long!).

In my experience the paint on the Crossfire, although somewhat scratch sensitive, is extremely hard and therefore it can be difficult to rully remove defects from the paint.

 

XfireX, I had the same problem on my black SRT. In fact, the scratches/swirls were all over the car. One trip to the local detail shop and all was better. He said they were from poor washing technique and I was creating the scratches myself. He also said they came right out when polished.