You adore your automobile. You must, or you would not be reading this. Taking care of your vehicle is the best way to show how much you value it. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to launch a counterattack against the slow but steady assault on the exterior of your vehicle. Every mile you drive,
every season that passes, and every piece of debris that hits its paint takes its toll. But that's okay because you can buff out all those battle scars and leave your paintwork as gleaming as the day it rolled off the assembly line.
When you use a buffer and polish on your vehicle, you're essentially rubbing off the thin layer of paint that has built up to contain the imperfections. This appears to be a simple task but proceed with caution. You risk damaging your paintwork if you use too much force or a machine that is too powerful.
Estimated Time Required
Between three and four hours.
Increasing the Security of Your Vehicle
Buffing your vehicle isn't a particularly hazardous task, but you should exercise caution. If you're going to work with an orbital buffer, for example, take off any rings, watches, necklaces, and bracelets. Because you'll be working with chemicals, it's a good idea to wear a respirator, especially if you plan on doing this job frequently.
Respirator with Half Facepiece 3M
Wear Mechanix Gloves
Dual Mold Safety Goggles by DeWalt
Everything You'll Need to Polish Your Vehicle
There are several methods for buffing a car. Do not do this job by hand unless you want to punish yourself because it will take a long time and a lot of effort. You could also use a high-speed buffer, but I doubt you'd be reading this guide if you're skilled enough to do so. As a result, I recommend that you use an orbital buffer for the purposes of this article.
List of Tools
Random Orbital Polisher by Chemical Guys
Pads for buffing and polishing
Ultimate Polish by Meguiar's
Gold Class Car Wash Soap by Meguiar's
Mist and Wipe Meguiar's Quik Detailer
Towels Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber
Sun Joe High-Pressure Electric Washer
Arsenal Builder 14-Piece Car Wash Kit by Chemical Guys
Scotch Multipurpose Masking Tape
Detailing Inspection Dual Light Chemical Guys
That's all you need to keep your car looking great all year. You should have some general detailing equipment lying around your garage.
Here's How To Polish Your Car
It will take some time, but it will be worthwhile when you are finished.
Clean Your Car
Before you start buffing your car, you should wash it. Otherwise, you'll be embedding bugs, mud, and who knows what else into the paintwork. Clean paint will also allow you to see the value of your efforts more clearly.
Begin by thoroughly cleaning your vehicle with a power washer and automotive soap before allowing it to dry or dry it with a microfiber towel. After that, you'll need to use a clay bar to remove any deeply embedded grime. To avoid marring, use a lubricant spray when rubbing the clay bar. After you've finished with the clay bar, apply detailer to your paintwork and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth to remove any residue.
Safeguard Sensitive Areas (Optional)
If you're worried about your buffer's heat damaging delicate areas or getting polish in places that are difficult to remove, you should protect them. Rubber door seals, headlights, emblems, and grills are examples of such areas. The simplest method is to cover the parts with masking tape.
Rub Polish Into The Pad
If you're utilizing a new pad, spray it with detailer before applying the polish to add lubrication. Apply four
pea-size blobs of polish to the pad, shaking the bottle well before use.
Distribute the Polish
Working in sections is the simplest way to polish your vehicle. Setting up a two-by-two-foot area works best for me. Dab the pad over the section you're covering before turning on the buffer. Then, using the buffer's lowest setting, spread the polish over the desired area gently. You're not yet attempting to buff the bodywork; instead, you're simply applying a thin layer of polish.
5. It's Time To Buff
After you've applied a layer of polish to the area you're working on, buff it. Turn the power up to five or six if you're using an orbital buffer. With your hand, apply light pressure to the top of the buffer. Move horizontal lines with a 50% overlap across the section, then repeat the process vertically.
Once you've buffed the area vertically and horizontally, consider it complete. You're finished after three to four passes over the same area. Each area should take between three and four minutes to complete. Remember not to overwork the buffer. As you buff, the polish will begin to turn chalky, so let it do the work for you.
Clean it up
Don't worry, there will be some polish residue left over. With a microfiber cloth, gently rub away the residue in a circular motion or straight vertical lines.
Examine Your Work
After wiping away the polish residue, inspect the paintwork with a detailing light. If you don't have a detailing light, a regular LED light will suffice. If you use a single-stage polish, your paint will most likely still have some imperfections, but you should notice a noticeable improvement over the areas you haven't worked on yet.
Replace or clean the pads
If you plan on polishing your prized possession once a week, you'll need to replace your buffing pads every few months. However, regardless of how new a pad is, you must clean it after each section or two.
Setting the buffer to a low level and stroking the pad with a soft-bristled toothbrush is an easy way to clean it. When you see all of the gunk that has accumulated disappear, you'll know it's working.
Repetition
Steps four through eight should be repeated until the entire vehicle has been polished, then take a step back and enjoy.