In 2005, Mercedes Benz started using a nano, ceramic particle, clear coat and in 2006 domestic automakers will start using a super-hard, scratch-resistant clear coat developed by both PPG and BASF.
These new clear coats are scratch-resistant, not scratch proof. They can still be scratched and spotted. The problem is polishing, or removing defects, in these new, super-hard clear coats. Conventional polishes may not have the cutting power to remove swirls, spots and defects in these new coatings.