Polishing

Transform dull and scratched paint into a mirror like finish with RIOAUTOHUB professional polishing supplies. We offer a complete range of paint correction products from top global brands including heavy cut compounds, fine finishing polishes, and a vast selection of foam, wool, and microfiber pads. Whether you are removing deep scratches or simply enhancing gloss our collection provides the precise abrasive technology needed for every stage of paint restoration.

0 products

No products found
Use fewer filters or remove all

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Correction & Polishing

What is Car Polishing?

Polishing, often called paint correction, is the mechanical process of leveling the clear coat to remove below surface defects. Scratches, swirl marks, oxidation, and water spots are all imperfections that sit in the clear coat layer. By using an abrasive liquid (compound or polish) and a machine, you safely remove a microscopic layer of paint to make the surface perfectly flat. When light hits flat paint it reflects directly creating deep gloss and clarity.

How to Choose the Right Polishing Combination

Paint correction usually involves a "Test Spot" to find the right combo of liquid and pad.

  • Compounds (Heavy Cut): These are aggressive liquids containing large abrasives. Use them with Wool or Microfiber pads to remove deep scratches and severe oxidation.
  • Polishes (Finishing): These have fine abrasives. Use them with soft Foam pads to remove the haze left by compounding and to jeweling the paint to a high gloss shine.
  • One Step Polishes: Advanced formulas that cut like a compound but finish like a polish. Ideal for mobile detailers looking to save time on customer cars.

Step-by-Step Polishing Workflow

Always ensure the car is washed and clayed before starting.

  1. Prep: Tape off plastic trims and rubber seals to prevent polish stain.
  2. Prime the Pad: Apply 4 to 5 pea sized drops of polish onto your pad.
  3. Spread: Dab the polish onto the section (approx 2x2 feet) and spread it at low speed.
  4. Correction Pass: Increase machine speed and move in slow overlapping passes (cross hatch pattern). Apply moderate pressure.
  5. Wipe & Inspect: Wipe off the residue with a clean microfiber towel and use an inspection light to check if the defects are gone.
  6. Refine: If haze remains switch to a finer polish and softer pad to clear it up.

Common Polishing Mistakes to Avoid

  • Working Too Large an Area: If you try to polish half the hood at once the polish will dry out and you won't get enough cut. Stick to small 2x2 foot sections.
  • Not Cleaning the Pad: As you polish the pad fills up with dead clear coat and used abrasive. You must clean the pad with a brush or compressed air after every panel or it will stop cutting and start marring.
  • Burning Through Edges: Paint is thinnest on the sharp edges of panels. Always tape them off or avoid polishing directly over the edge to prevent burning through the clear coat.

Frequently Asked Questions about Polishing

Q: Is polishing the same as waxing?

A: No. Polishing is abrasive and is used to remove defects and scratches. Waxing is non abrasive and is used to protect the paint after polishing. You polish to fix the shine and wax to lock it in.

Q: Can I polish by hand?


A: You can use hand polish for tight areas like under door handles or for very light gloss enhancement. However, to remove swirl marks effectively over a whole car you need the consistent speed and friction of a Dual Action (DA) or Rotary polishing machine.

Q: Will polishing remove my clear coat?

A: Yes, polishing removes a microscopic amount of clear coat (usually 1 to 3 microns). Since factory clear coat is around 40 to 50 microns thick, it is safe to polish occasionally. However, we recommend using a paint depth gauge to ensure you have enough material to work with safely.