Tips and recommendations
The key to avoiding this situation is as simple as taking a moment to clean the surface with a 50:50 water methylated spirits solution after each polishing stage. For example, before moving from a lambs wool pad to a foam pad and so on. To do this, there are super convenient options available, such as PPG’s SWX250 Water-Methylated Spirits Cleaner, which comes pre-mixed and ready to go.
Seeing is believing – The reason for cleaning the surface with water-metho is to remove any built up of polish compound and let you clearly see if the de-nib scratches have been removed. During the polishing process, compound can be forced into the fine de-nib scratches where it dries. Unless it’s removed, it can appear as if the scratches have been removed when, in fact, they have not. The only step where you don’t need to clean is when all the scratches are removed and the final protective layer, such as MIRKA Polarshine 5 or Liquid Nano Wax, is being applied.
Keep the job area small and reduce polishing time – De-nibbing with something like a MIRKA Polarstar SR 32mm disc makes it easy to focus on the tiny spot to be removed.
Don’t overload – The biggest mistake I see is people overloading the polishing pads with compound. You might think ‘more is better’ but it actually works against what you are trying to achieve because pads are designed to work best with minimal compound. Just apply a small amount of compound to the pad and polish until there is none left before adding any more. Rather than helping to polish out the scratches, the excessive compound just builds up in layers and clogs the surface. Fortunately, it can be easily removed with water-metho.
Keep pads clean – Don’t let your buff pads get caked with compound. At the end of each week, get into the habit of washing all the buff pads in warm water, then leave them to dry over the weekend.
Work to a best-practice process – Full step-by-step polishing instructions are available via a handy Paint Rectification Process chart. Ask your PPG or Protec Territory Manager for a copy – it’s a perfect reference guide to have on your workshop wall.