This car had many sratches and swirls, as well as bad waterspots. It was also very oxidized. I used Poorboy's clay bar, SSR1,SSR2.5,Pro Polish, and topped with EX-P Sealant. The bottom picture shows how half of the hood looked with waterspots, I couldn't get a good pic of the swirls.
Yes water can get baked onto the paint of darker colored cars. You usually have to use a polish of some kind to remove them depending on how severe.
The waterspots are gone, that last pic was a before pic. The hood picture where you see my reflection was the final result.
Thanks! Yeah the hood was actually swirl free when I was finished. I just saw the car a couple days ago and already has swirls!
Ahh, forgive me for not reading all of your original post and just looking at the pictures! You explained it all there.