Struggling with Buffing

After countless hours of wetsanding the paint completely flat, it’s now time to start buffing with a wool pad.  Usually this step goes great, but once in a while some areas are a struggle to get buffed out. It might be a random scratch, or just texture from the sandpaper. 

Here are a few tips to help when you come up against these areas. 

  • First, the most time should be spent with a wool pad compared to the other buffing steps. 
  • When it becomes apparent there is an area that isn’t wanting to buff out, it’s time to stop and clean the panel. 
  • Wipe the panel down with a clean and dry microfiber towel. 
  • Spray water borne cleaner on the panel, and wipe that down with a microfiber towel. (this removes the compound) 
  • Clean the wool pad with a spur. 
  • If the wool pad has been used for a while, it might be time for a new pad. 
  • Try buffing again.
  • Keep the buffer at low rpm’s, 800-900. Running it faster isn’t any more effective. 

This helps because it gets the compound cleaned off the paint. This lets the wool pad buff directly on the paint rather than on built up compound.  Typically there is a noticeable difference after cleaning the paint and trying to buff again.