Machine polishing can be intimidating; there are horror stories about irreversible behavior that can easily alert those interested in the topic. By knowing your limits and the simple advice in this guide, you can put these stories behind you.
Before polishing, a thorough paint inspection is a critical step to make sure you don't have nasty surprises. Things like stone chips and patent leather are obvious imperfections that need attention - these areas can get worse if they get nail polish on them. Damage can also be seen in less dramatic ways, such as bird droppings staining! Due to the acidity of the poo, the paint on the affected area will naturally thin, so less paint is available...a paint depth gauge is ideal and can Know the thickness block and can show how much bird droppings are stained on the paint surface, or if there is a caulking and/or repaint job in the area. Importantly, this tool provides insight into how much life is left on the painted surface.
Once you know your paint, what polishing pad should you use? There are many factors that go into determining the perfect finish, but for simplicity, we've narrowed it down to two types of pads: mid-cut foam pads and max-cut microfiber pads.
As the name suggests, mid-cut foam pads are made of foam. If you have minor scratches or swirl marks, this might be an ideal stepping pad. The finishes provided by microfiber liners are generally less refined, so you may find that you may need to use softer liners (like a medium cut) to complete the paint correction process.
If you choose a foam pad, a pad "priming" step is required before you start polishing, this will ensure that the pad is well lubricated, which means less risk of damage. Simply apply an appropriate amount of nail polish (about 8 large pea drops) to the makeup pad and spread evenly over the entire surface. After that, apply about 4 drops of nail polish to the mat for the main activity. You don't need to use a primer if you opt for a microfiber pad, but we still recommend applying a moderate amount of nail polish first.
Ensuring that the pads are evenly attached to the back plate of the dual action polisher is a must for a balanced experience. Using an eccentric pad will affect the feel and motion of the polisher, further making your task more difficult. Once you are happy with the pad installation, make sure the DA polish line is kept away from the vehicle paint to avoid any additional damage or scratches. Dab the polisher (with the smeared compound) on the area you want to treat - this will ensure that the surface is evenly covered when polishing. After a tap, start the polisher (always start and stop the polisher when it is in contact with the panel), move at a slow speed and polish the area with quick arm movements. After that, increase the speed of the polisher, move the polisher slowly one or two times with minimal pressure, and finally polish the panel and check your work. If necessary, complete more passes or switch pads to get the desired finish.
What's the difference between a double-action polisher and a rotary polisher? In short: the DA wiggles and spins - meaning its "cut" is more forgiving. It won't burn through the paint as easily if you push too hard. If you hit a corner, it stops spinning and just wiggles. However, while the DA may be more forgiving, it cannot compete with a rotary polisher for tasks where speed is critical.