Hairline scratches on gloss paneling after using microfiber cloth ?

So, ages ago, I was told to never clean with a paper towel. Always use a microfiber towel. So, that's what I've been doing, when I had my Prius c, and currently with my Prime.

However, even after washing both the car (spray wash) and the towel, and let it air dry, I notice that the gloss paneling between the side windows will sometimes show hairline scratches, or... I'm not sure if they're scratches, or just streak marks left behind by the microfiber cloth. They don't seem to go away if I wipe over them, and yet using the microfiber cloth (actually two different kinds) doesn't help. Heck, I can run my fingernail over them without causing further artifacts... and it feels smooth even though I can see the little hairline reflections.

I am distressed. I thought that microfiber cloths were supposed to protect from scratches, not cause them. What's going on? And how do I make that gloss paneling (and also the gloss by the rear window) without those hairline, uh, line marks I guess? Also, would similar marks appear if I tried wiping the colored body of the car? Could those come out or would those be permanent? Should I be wiping with wet or dry microfiber towels with this type of car? Or a different type of towel altogether? And why does a basic coin-op hose not work to lift the dirt? I just don't recall having car surfaces look so easily "ruined" by so many little hairline artifacts.

Also, what about wiping the outside of the windows, e.g., to get water droplet residue off?

 

So, just rubbing a clay bar will get the hairline artifacts out of the gloss? And then I can apply those other products to it?

Some of the (cleaned, dried) microfiber cloths that I've been using are for interior wiping. The cloth looks really fuzzy and porous. I don't have a brand name. But even then, I guess whatever surface I use them on is already supposed to be clean; otherwise, would the towel just rub in the leftover residue to cause the hairline markings?

 

I think that it was because the coin-op car wash did not lift the dirt, and so I ended up rubbing residual particles around against the gloss finish. Oops.

So, I just took my car to a much better car wash, automatic, high pressure, and as far as I can tell, there is no damage to any of the sensors. The car looks great.

However, the artifacts on the glossy features by the rear window and between the side windows are still there, and still show only in certain angles of sunlight. See picture.



Note: This is immediately after the car came out of the car wash, and a final wiping with a (clean) microfiber towel. There are some dust specs that can be blown off, and a water residue line. I am referring specifically to the myriad of very small vertical artifacts, which came from the direction of wiping. So... do you guys have these problems as well? Is this common? I really doubt that a clay bar will get those out.

I have also just noticed a few of these on the sparkling gloss around the multimedia display, and that was always kept clean and wiped gently with a microfiber cloth (and not a towel or anything rough). Is that also normal? I had the whole car protected with Xzilon before I drove it off from the dealership.


I did pick up a spray bottle of Meguiar's Ultimate Fast Finish, and it came with its own microfiber cloth. This worked once the car was already through the car wash... not sure how well it'll stand up to the pollen (seasonal) and sand/ice (winter) that builds up, so why did I spend $20 on this if I have to go to a $15 car wash each month anyway?

 

Well it seems as if every time that I use a (clean, dry) microfiber cloth in excellent condition (not worn out or anything like that) to wipe the interior from dandruff-type particles or the exterior from water particles, new curvy hairline scratch-like artifacts just keep showing up on my Prime. The speckly-colorful border around the 11-inch display has new hairline artifacts. (Does anyone else have this problem? How did you get those curves to go away so that it's back to speckly new?) The windshield now has a few that show up at odd angles driving at night. Same goes for the black gloss by the rear window, and just a few around the side windows. Same goes for everywhere on the clear coat...which I had washed at a car wash first.

This never used to be such a problem on my Prius c, and I've been using the same basic techniques for 4 years.

(Just to clarify, these are barely noticeable, in some angles they don't show up at all, and instead, I just get the nice wonderful speckle pattern. But I'm just confused and surprised as to how and why so many so soon, as faint as these hairline artifacts are.)

Is this just a normal thing with the Prime for it to look cosmetically "artifacted" so quickly after it's new?


In the meantime... I read that a dual action buffer can help with some of these. My questions, for someone who has never used one, and has no garage, are:
1. Which buffer should I get that also plugs into the 12V port of my car?
2. What should I get to go with the buffer (e.g., which cloth, which spray, or lubricant), and how do I use them?
3. Are there certain sections by the exterior of the vehicle that I absolutely should not let the buffer get near (e.g., windows, gloss between the windows) or else it'll damage it?

 

Nah Prius c had lots of hard plastic everywhere.

 

Maybe so...

Edit: can't delete my post