Polishing
Not as hard as it may seem. Use the right tools, products & techniques and you can achieve a mirror like finish on your paint. There are some key points before you start. Not all damage to your paint can be corrected and you need to properly manage your expectations. Paint correction is the process of removing microscopic amounts of clear coat. The goal is to get remove the scratches without removing too much clear coat. You have to first asses the depth of the scratch or swirl marks and determine if there is enough clear coat for this process to be affective. Going too deep is always a risk when chasing a deeper scratch. I find that for beginners a light 1 stage correction with reasonable expectations makes for a great result most of the time. Performing a 2 stage correction, trying to get every scratch corrected to perfection is where the real risk comes into play. As with every product or process that you are learning, start in an inconspicuous area. Use the least aggressive method to get to know the paint hardness and a general feel for the task at hand. As you get more comfortable continue into the more noticeable ares. Use a high quality polishing light to inspect and monitor the paint as you go.
This is a comprehensive list of my processes, favorite products and the sources that I believe are best to obtain them. I would always rather support a USA brick and mortar detailing company whenever I can. I know Amazon is a favorite for some so I also left links to Amazon when the products are from a source that I have both used and verified as a 1st quality product and not a cheap knock off or open box or returned item. I appreciate your support when you choose to use any of my links. Thanks alot!
THE FOLLOWING PROCESSES SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED IN A COOL SHADED AREA OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT!! Use Code HAWAIIDETAING for 10% off when applicable.
Step 1: Decontamination wash the car
Before you begin the paint correction process, always start by washing the car with a proper decontamination process. This will help to remove sealants, as well as dirt and grime that could cause further scratches when you start correcting the paint.
Fill your foam cannon with 2oz of decontamination soap (High PH soap) and the rest water. Fill your wash bucket with 2oz of soap and the rest water. Spray a thick layer of foam on the car and let it dwell as long as possible but not dry. This dwell can last up to 5 minutes if conditions are ideal. Work your way around the car using the normal contact wash process with a wash mitt. Rinse completely with a pressure washer or hose.
My Pressure Washer Setup The heart and soul of every detail set up is the pressure washer. Here I list all my favorites to fit every price point.
Decon Soap Great high PH soap. Cuts through dirt on a pre wash and will also help break down spray sealants to prep for re application or polish.
Measuring Cup A great quality chemical resistant measuring cup
Foam Cannon Pro The best foaming cannon on the market. I have tried them all. Others are good to but you won’t go wrong with this one.
Foam Cannon Version 3 Same head as the pro with an updated bottle. Another great foam cannon.
More info:
Step 2: Chemical decontamination using Iron Remover
Spray iron remover over the whole surface of the car. You will see purple color changing action indicating the removal of embedded metal contamination that is stuck in the clear coat. Allow to dwell as long as possible but do not let dry. Rinse completely with water from the pressure washer or hose.
Iron Remover Code HAWAIIDETAING for 10% off
Step 3: Mechanical decontamination using clay or synthetic clay
Use a clay bar or synthetic clay to remove any embedded contamination on the paint. Over time, contaminants such as dirt, grime, and tree sap can build up on a car's surface, which can cause problems during the polishing. It is easily identified with a rough feeling surface even when the paint is clean. A proper clay process is effective at removing these contaminants, leaving the paint surface clean, smooth and ready to polish.
Mix up a Clay Lube spray: 128:1 = 1oz Rinseless Wash 1 Gallon Distilled Water. Work 1 panel at a time. Use enough clay lube to have the surface saturated while agitating. Agitate the surface gently with the clay or clay mitt until it feels smooth to the touch.
Rinseless Wash My favorite out there. Works great, easy to use, smells good and is the answer to a lot of situations when a light cleaner is needed. I used it non stop.
Spray Bottles:
Entry level good quality spray bottle
Clay Towel Synthetic Code HAWAIIDETAING for 10% off
Step 4: Rinse and dry the paint
Its time to thoroughly rinse and dry the vehicle. There are a few ways to dry the car. Air dry via a leaf blower or a mechanical towel dry process. Without any protection on the paint using a leaf blower will be a challenge due to the water sticking to the paint. Do not use any drying aid or lubrication for this dry process.
Step 4: Inspect the paint
Inspect the car's paint thoroughly and identify the areas that need correction. Check for scratches, swirl marks, and other imperfections on the surface, which need to be addressed. To begin Inspecting: Hold the inspection light close to the car's surface and shine the light at an angle to highlight the paint's imperfections. Move the light from one panel to another to inspect the entire car's exterior. The light should reveal any swirl marks, scratches, or other issues with the paint.
Polishing Light Kits:
Basic Polishing Lighting Kit Great entry level kit on a budget. This kit will get you polishing with confidence. These lights will show every imperfection on the paint with ease.
Ultimate Polishing Lighting Kit Every polishing light that you would ever need. Easy to use them all. better to have and not need than to need and not have. Every light in this package is useful if you have the money.
Individual Polishing Lights:
Step 5: Prepare the area
The next step is to prepare the area for paint correction. Tape off the car's edges, such as mirrors, trim, emblems, and door handles. This prevents polishing pads from touching areas that may cause more damage.
Tape for masking and protecting trim
1” Masking tape High quality masking tape that does not leave residue behind. Worth it for sure.
2” Masking tape High quality masking tape that does not leave residue behind. Worth it for sure.
Step 5: Correct the paint
1 Stage Paint Correction (Faster, easier, Less effective at removing deeper imperfections. Good for most people)
A single stage paint correction uses a single polishing process that drastically improves the appearance of a vehicle's paint. This process is typically used on vehicles that have minor defects, such as swirl marks, and light oxidation. It will also revive a more heavily damaged paint surface to a very reasonable finish. Great for most people.
The single stage process uses a lighter finishing polish and pad to gently correct the paint and restore its shine. This type of polish has a gentler abrasive action that removes minor scratches and or defects and helps to restore the clarity and gloss of the paint. It will not be effective cutting through heavy oxidation and deep scratches and could result in excessive work if you try. If reaching a showroom quality is not your goal this process will get you most of the way in half of the time.
Polish the panel with a fine pad and polish. Polish in small sections in a equally distributed cross pattern.
Gently remove polish residue with a clean soft microfiber towel. Use rinseless wash to help rove polish quickly. Avoid using too much pressure, as this can cause micro-scratches and swirl marks.
Inspect the panel and repeat the polishing process as needed until you have removed any scratches and swirl marks. Have reasonable expectations.
Completely clean panel with an IPA wipe. Polishing compounds leave behind microscopic particles on the surface. That's where an IPA comes in. By wiping the vehicle down with a Panel Prep, we can ensure that the surface is completely clean and free of residues. Any residue must be fully removed to ensure proper bonding of any coating, wax, or sealant.
Apply paint protection to the newly corrected paint as desired.
2 Stage Paint Correction (First stage gets the deeper issues and the second stage polishes to perfection. For the serious detailer)
A 2 stage paint correction uses two different types of polish and pads to restore a vehicle's paint to its original condition. This process is typically used on vehicles that have moderate to severe paint defects, such as deep scratches, swirl marks, and heavy oxidation.
The first stage of the process uses a heavier cutting pad and compound to remove deeper paint defects. This type of polish is abrasive and is used to level the paint surface by removing a thin layer of clear coat. The coarser cut from the first stage leaves the paint with a cloudy look that should be easy to remove in the 2nd stage. Think of it as a deeper cut on stage one to remove deeper issues. Stage 2 is a very fine cut that is only intended to correct the cloudiness left behind from stage 1.
After the first stage is completed, the second stage of the process involves using a lighter finishing polish to refine the paint and restore its shine. This type of polish has a gentler abrasive action that removes any minor swirls or defects that were caused during the coarser first stage. The finishing polish helps to restore the clarity and gloss of the paint.
Polish panel with a wool cut pad and polish. Polish in small sections in a equally distributed cross pattern to ensure equal amounts of clear coat are removed throughout the panel. This deeper cut will remove small scratches and swirls but will leave the clear coat slightly cloudy. This is normal. Be careful to not chase a scratch to deep as this process does remove clear coat.
Wipe off polish residue with a clean soft microfiber towel. Use rinselees wash to help remove polish quickly.
Inspect the panel and repeat the polishing process as needed until you have removed the scratches and swirl marks. Clear coat may be cloudy and will be polished to a higher level in the next step.
Repeat the polishing process but this time with a fine pad and polish. This will remove any cloudiness left from the first stage. You should be able to achieve an incredibly high gloss finish. Be careful to not chase a scratch to deep as this process does remove clear coat.
Gently remove polish residue with a clean soft microfiber towel. Avoid using too much pressure, as this can cause micro-scratches and swirl marks.
Inspect the panel and repeat polishing as needed until you have removed any cloudiness and or hazing created during the first stage.
Completely clean panel with an IPA wipe. Polishing compounds leave behind microscopic particles on the surface. That's where an IPA comes in. By wiping the vehicle down with a Panel Prep solution, we can ensure that the surface is completely clean and free of residues. Any residue must be fully removed to ensure proper bonding of any coating, wax, or sealant.
Apply paint protection to the newly corrected paint as desired.
Detailing Dolly Without this dolly you will be bent over or crawling around on the floor. Very affordable and high quality.
Polisher or Amazon Rupes is the best in the industry. Time tested and pro approved. These work great for the full time pro all the way to the weekend DIY enthusiast.
Polisher Pad Wool A course cutting pad for medium deep polishing where defects need to be removed from the paint. Used as step 1 of 2 in a 2 stage paint correction.
Polisher Pad Jeweling A ultra fine pad for light surface jeweling to bring the clear coat to the highest shine possible.
Polish This polish is buttery smooth and last a long time on the panel. Great results and a 10/10 on ease of use.
Rinseless Wash My favorite out there. Works great, easy to use, smells good and is the answer to a lot of situations when a light cleaner is needed. I used it non stop.
Spray Bottle Need this to mix up your rinseless. Great quality for the money. Chemical resistant.
Polish Removing Microfiber Towels Dual Nap Grey A high quality dual nap microfiber giving 2 options for polish removal. Different situations require different apraches. This covers them all.
All Purpose Microfiber Towel Yellow Having some high quality microfiber towels handy is a must. I use yellow for my all purpose needs.
IPA Panel Prep Code HAWAIIDETAING for 10% off The absolute best IPA wipe I have ever used hands down. Works great and smells great too.
Microfiber Towels for IPA Panel Prep These color matched ultra plush towels are a great add on for the panel prep.
Microfiber Detergent Online Store or Amazon Video Cut through the complex chemicals and sealants that end up on our microfiber towels you need a true task specific Micro towel detergent. This stuff works great and I have not found anything close in quality. Its inexpensive and lasts forever.
Good To Have But Not A Necessity
Polishing Pad Washer Code HAWAIIDETAING for %10off
Polisher Small (Cordless) Online Store or Amazon
DISCLAIMER:
Before attempting any paint correction, be aware that it is a complex process that requires specialized tools and knowledge. Hawaii Detailing strongly recommends that you contact a professional detailing service if you don’t know what you are doing.
If you decide to proceed, understand that there are risks involved. Any mistakes made during the process can result in permanent damage to your vehicle's paint.
Hawaii Detailing is not responsible for any damage or mishaps that occur during a DIY paint correction. By proceeding with this process, you assume all responsibility for any consequences that may result.
If you are unsure about your abilities or simply do not have the proper skills or tools, contact a reputable detailer in your area.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if any of these links are not working properly Jeremy@HawaiiDetailing.com
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