I was wondering what you guys use to remove swirl marks and to prevent them on a black truck. It drives me crazy to see all those scratches. I just can't seem to get rid of them no matter what i do.

 

I'd recommend posting this question over at www.detailcity.com. I'm a newbie to all of this, but from my reading over there the most common product used is Poorboy's SSR (Super Swirl Remover). This can be applied by hand or machine.

http://www.poorboysworld.com/super-swirl-removers.htm

 

how bad are the swirls?
If they look like spider webs on the clear coat (not the paint), try Mequiar's #9 swirl mark remover and following up with #26 wax. Zaino system is also suppose to work (but I'm too cheap to buy it). I personally use Mequiar's Deep Crystal system (three step) and use a Porter Cable random orbital polisher. It does a good job, but it takes a better part of the day.

 

I see you are from PA, trying to get a chapter started, if interested please reply under 04 F150, Pa owners get together

 

A Porter Cable random orbital polisher is the way to go.
Be aware that black is the hardest paint color to remove the swirl marks from. You may want to end with hand glazing in the direction parallel to the wind passing over the truck. I also would check into detailcity.com or autopia.com. Both have very good discussions on exactly what you are asking.
When I do my truck, 03 SD CC, I break it out in to managble parts.
I do not try to do the whole truck in a day. I may do these steps only on the bed the first day, the doors the next and finish the rest sometime the next weekend.

Gold Class Wash
Clay to remove bugs and stuff
Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner
MEGUIAR’S MIRROR GLAZE FINE-CUT CLEANER #2
( start with the fine cut and go to the
medium cut if the fine cut does not get them all)
( Better to start with the finer cut. Do not make the mistake of taking off
too much of the clearcoat if you do not have to.)
Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax
topped with #26 Meguiar's Hi-Tech Yellow Wax

You can use any similar product in this list, it is just an idea of
what you need to do...

Remember you may not get ALL the swirls out and that is ok too.

Good luck on your quest for the perfect shine....

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I will have to try some of your methods.

Maypo that sounds like a good way to do it, but I just don't have the time for all that. Would you suggest just one cleaner and one wax?

 

Try Klasse All In One and then Klasse Sealant Glaze.
Results will not be perfect but may be close enough.
By then you may get the detailing bug........