The paint on my MINI has had an easy life, almost always indoors and spray cleaned. I bought Prima Finish a few years ago, but haven't used it yet since it seems to be a mild abrasive. My paint does have stone chips and a few cuts here and there, but visually no swirls. Most of it looks like I remember it almost 5 years ago as a deep shiny Hot Chocolate metallic.
Would I be risking anything by using Finish as a detailing step on such paint? I currently use Hydro Seal and frequent temporary toppings such as Hydro (when freshly washed, and Slick when dry.
I'm thinking I should keep the Finish for other less fortunate cars (like my wife's). Anyone have any advice on this use of semi abrasive products?

 

Finish should be perfect for what you describe you paint is like.
Trying to respect your observations and my experience I would be surprised if you did not have some swirls. Even the most carefully maint paint gets swirls.

My BRG MINI gets babied like your car, but I still get swirls over time. Just a fact of life with dark paint.

 

I am meticulous/obessed with care, and i have swirls. You have swirls you just arent looking for them correctly. in the dark, use a simple flash light and place the reflection of the light on a point on the paint, then simply look at the reflection of the light and you will see the swirls. I have light swirls as any washing begins to bring them back from what i understand. Every 6 mons a polish and seal is due for me. Just sucks during the winter!

 

Thanks, folks. Ill give the MINI a good treatment of Finish this weekend.

 

I gave her a nice polish with Finish, and I used the orbital buffer to apply and spread the wax. It seems harder to buff it out when using the machine applicator. The car looks great, except for the white residue in the black trim. (I'm never careful enough.) So it's back to various attempts with Pre Wow and Black Wow.
Any opinions about using the orbital buffer to rub in the wet wax with some abrasive ?

 

You don't want a wax/sealant with abrasives.
All cleaning and polishing should be done before the sealant.
If you are using something with cleaners or abrasives after a polish you are undoing the polish.

I use Epic with a PC and am able to put on a much thinner coat, recommended for best results.
I have no problem wiping off the Epic when I put on thin with the PC.
It does not take much Epic or similar sealant when a car is polished well. Try using less product if you are having trouble with wiping off the sealant.