It’s normal for your car to undergo wear and tear over time. But at a certain point, the wear and tear distracts you from its best features. The good news is a simple cut and buff job will restore your car’s former glory in just one day’s work. If you’re wondering what cut and buff is, we’re here to help. A cut and buff kit will help you get rid of scratched, uneven surfaces with an at-home cut and buff job. Plus, you’ll save time and money by doing it yourself.
A Guide on How to Cut and Buff Car Paint
If you’ve never done a cut and buff job on your car, you’re probably wondering how it works. Here’s a step-by-step guide that walks you through how to cut and buff a clear coat so you get the best results.
1. Prep Your Paint Finish
Give the paint finish a good clean before doing any cutting or buffing. This step will remove dirt, stains, and other debris that would bind to the paint, leaving behind pesky scratches and swirls. If your car has any hard-to-clean spots, you can apply an iron remover to dissolve them, leaving you with a smooth finish.
2. Test Spots
An easy way to determine what type of polish and finishing pad you need is to apply a few test spots of polish to your car. Start with a gentle polish and light finishing pad to avoid removing too much of the clear coat. See how the clear coat reacts, then go from there. If the gentle polish doesn’t get the job done, try a slightly stronger one and compare the results.
3. Cut the Paint With a Cutting Compound
A cutting compound repairs the clear coat on a car by removing scratches and oxidation, exposing the fresh paint layer beneath it. You can apply the compound manually with a pad or by using a polishing machine equipped with a wool pad. Removing the top layer of the clear coat prepares the surface for polishing.
4. Polish in Sections From the Hood Down
Once you reach the polishing stage, start with the roof and work your way down. That way, you can see what areas you’ve already covered and what areas are left. If you opt for a power polisher, move it continuously to eliminate lines and swirls most effectively. If you’re a little more old school and prefer to polish by hand, apply a microfiber towel in circular motions to achieve a smooth finish.
5. Protect the Restored Paint With a Wax Coat
Finally, seal the fresh polish with a layer of wax to protect the new paint from damage and give your car that fresh-off-the-lot feel.
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