what is the best and least expensive compound to blend in slight scratching from an auto carwash, black max.

 

Probably Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish.

 

Check out www.zainobros.com and check out their Z-5 product for swirl marks............none better!
I use it on my daily and show cars!

 

Z5 is not an abrasive and therefore will not remove any swirls. If they're light it will fill them and make them less visible/invisible, but if you want to get rid of them permanently you need an abrasive.

 

Products for Swirl Removal:

a) Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner Polish
b) 3M Swirl Remover for Dark Colored Cars
c) Meguiar's #9 Swirl Mark Remover 2.0
d) 3M Perfect-It III

After that, you would definitely want to follow that up with a polish such as:

P21S Gloss Enhancing Paint Cleanser
Klasse All In One

Using a random orbital buffer in this instance would be a wise thing to do. Some of the swirl removal products are not designed to work well by hand.

 

Just to clarify what Prinz suggested, you don't have to use all the products A to D, only what's needed. If the things you see are actually "scratches" and not something light that you'd call a swirl, you may want to lean towards Meguiar's Dual Action or 3M Perfect-It II Fine Cut rubbing compound. Both swirl remover products IMO are too gentle by hand to do a whole lot. Sorry I can't comment much on the PI-III product...