Clay bar left scratches in my paint!!!!

[97moneypit]

I have a 97 Torch Red with the same problems as Jedi's. I got it back in November and I cannot tell if these scratches were there or if I have been the culprit. I used the Zaino products with the fieldcrest towels. The Z5 did not help to hide the fine scratches and swirl marks.

I also have tried 3M's Swirl Remover after dewaxing with 3M Wax and Adhesive remover. It didn't help one bit on the multitude of fine scratches. Neither did Meguires Scratch-X. I don't think any of the products I have used (following their directions) can do anything about the scratches and swirl marks.

In all of the above posts there has been plenty of comment on what caused the problems, but still the question of how to fix it has not been fully answered.

After all the products I have looked at, I think the only way to get a finish that is free of swirls and scratches is to repaint it. You can't just add another coat of clearcoat on top of the existing. It requires a complete removal of the clear then addition of a basecoat, the color paint and then the clearcoat. There are no shortcuts.

But can polishing help to reduce the small scratches as indicated in this web site comment?

Q: What's the difference between polishing and waxing?
A: First of all, polish is not some magic product you can apply to the pain to make it look better. Poliishing is the phyical process of shining the surface of the pain to remove hazing and light scratches. Car manufacturers recommend physical polishing about once a year to keep the surface smooth and maintain the original shine of your car's finish. Waxing the paint does not remove scratches, flaws in the paint, or oxidation. A good wax has not cleaners or polishing characteristics, it simply coats the paint with a micro thing layer of paint protection.