Advanced Paint Correction and Polishing for Harsh Climates

Perform a thorough two-bucket wash using a high-pH 'strip soap' to remove old waxes and sealants. Follow this with an iron decontaminant spray (fallout remover) to dissolve metallic particles from brakes and rail dust. In coastal areas, ensure the wheel arches and underbody are pressure washed to remove salt crusting that could migrate onto the paint during polishing.

Using a clay bar or synthetic clay mitt, glide over the lubricated surface to remove bonded contaminants like tree sap and red dust. This is critical; if you skip this, the polisher will pick up these hard particles and grind them into the paint, creating deep 'pigtail' scratches. The paint should feel as smooth as glass before you proceed.

Dry the vehicle completely using a dedicated drying towel or forced air blower. Pay special attention to wing mirrors, badges, and window seals. Even a single drop of water hitting a polishing pad can cause 'slinging' and dramatically reduce the effectiveness of the abrasive chemicals.

Apply automotive masking tape to all unpainted plastics, rubber window seals, and chrome trim. Compound residue is notoriously difficult to remove from textured plastics (turning them grey). Also, tape over sharp body lines or 'peaks' where the paint is naturally thinner to prevent burning through the clear coat.

Never guess which combination of pad and polish is needed. Select a 40cm x 40cm area on the bonnet or boot. Start with the least aggressive method (finishing polish on a foam pad). If this doesn't remove the defects, move to a more aggressive compound. This ensures you preserve as much clear coat as possible while achieving the desired result.

Apply 4-5 pea-sized drops of compound to a fresh pad. Spread it across the face of the pad with your finger or the nozzle to ensure even coverage. This prevents 'dry buffing' which can cause heat build-up and scouring. For subsequent sections, you only need 2-3 drops as the pad becomes 'seasoned'.

Work in small sections, no larger than 50cm x 50cm. Place the pad on the paint and spread the product at speed setting 1 or 2 without the machine turned on, then briefly run the machine to distribute the compound evenly across the work area.

Increase the DA polisher to speed 4 or 5. Move the machine in a slow, overlapping 'cross-hatch' pattern (horizontal passes followed by vertical passes). Use moderate downward pressure (about 2-3kg) and move the machine at a rate of 2-3cm per second. Complete 4-6 passes per section.

Periodically touch the panel with the back of your hand. In summer temperatures, the friction from the pad can quickly push paint temps above 60°C, risking clear coat softening. If the panel feels hot to the touch, move to a different area of the car to allow it to cool naturally.

Using a clean microfibre towel and a panel wipe (IPA), carefully remove the compound residue. Use your LED inspection light at an angle to check for remaining swirls or etching. If the defects are gone but the paint looks slightly cloudy, this is normal 'hazing' from the cutting stage.

After every section, use a pad brush or compressed air to blow out spent polish and removed paint residue. A clogged pad will stop cutting effectively and will generate excessive heat, which is dangerous in the heat of a summer afternoon.

Switch to a finishing foam pad and a fine polish. This stage uses higher machine speed but very light pressure. The goal is to remove the haze from the cutting stage and 'jewel' the paint to a high gloss. Use the same cross-hatch pattern but move slightly faster.

When approaching the edge of a panel, ensure the pad is spinning *off* the edge rather than *into* it. This prevents the pad from catching and jumping. Be extremely cautious on plastic bumpers, as they do not dissipate heat as well as metal panels.

Once the entire vehicle is polished, remove all masking tape. Perform a final, slow wipe-down with a high-quality panel prep spray. This is the most important step if you intend to apply a ceramic coating, as any remaining polishing oils will prevent the coating from bonding.