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Buffing a car is a process that literally removes a small layer of paint from a car's finish, exposing a fresher layer of paint underneath. This process restores the car's original luster and will improve the car's overall appearance. If little nicks and scratches are ignored, rust can form and this will lessen the vehicle's beauty and reduce the car's value. By buffing a car every 2 to 3 months, the car will be more aesthetically pleasing, and will maintain its finish longer.
Buffing a Car Effectively
Wash the car thoroughly with soap and water and dry it with a soft towel. Apply a generous amount of polisher or compound and move the buffer in small circular motions to spread the product evenly. Buff one section at a time over the entire surface of the car.
Steps
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Park the car in a shady spot. Make sure the surface of the car is cool. This will help prevent soap stains from appearing on the car's surface.
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Place the soap in a gallon-sized bucket. Add water until the bucket is filled and the water is sudsy. Use only car wash-specific soaps. Read the soap packaging for the amount of soap to dispense.Advertisement
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Take a large sponge and submerge it into the soapy water. Remove the sponge, squeeze out about half of the water, place the sponge on the car and begin washing.
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Move the sponge in circular motions across the body of the car, paying special attention to crevices and cracks that may have dirt trapped.
- Start at the top of the car and work downward. Once the car has been completely cleaned, hose off all of the soap.
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Use a high speed buffer to achieve the finest results. High speed buffers will eliminate surface scratches and blemishes completely, leaving behind a brilliant shine. However, training is recommended to master a high speed buffer. Improper use of a high speed buffer can strip the paint and damage the finish permanently by leaving swirls and scratches.
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Select a random orbital buffer for great results and a nice sheen with minor effort. No training is required and the random orbital buffer is easy to use. Not all damage will be eliminated but the end result will be a great shine. Random orbital buffers also use significantly less compound than a high speed buffer, therefore a more cost-effective solution. The results will not last as long as with a high speed buffer.
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Choose manual buffing if cost is an issue. However, manual buffing is the most labor intensive option that will give the least effective results. Manual buffing takes much longer than high speed and random orbital buffing and the finish will not last as long with manual buffing. Manual buffing requires the least amount of equipment, but requires the most of amount of product and time. The results are usually an uneven finish that will not last as long as alternative buffing means.
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Purchase a polishing or compound product that will achieve the desired results with your car. Compound is needed if there are deep scratches in the finish. Polisher is used if the body paint is in great shape already and just needs an increased shine. Product needs will also vary based on the car model, the car year, and the overall condition of the car. Both products can be used with the buffer. Get product recommendations from friends or reputable car aficionados.
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Dry the car with a chamois or clean, soft towel. Work around the entire car to ensure the car is completely dry.
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Apply a generous amount of polisher or compound directly to the body of the car. Begin with the hood to examine results easily.
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Place the buffer on the polishing product and move the buffer around to spread the product evenly. Use small, circular motions to effectively buff each portion of the car.
- If using a powered buffer, turn the buffer on and move the buffer in firm, circular motions to work the entire product into the finish and reveal the shine.
- If manual buffing, apply extreme pressure while employing circular motions to work in the product.
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Continue buffing the product into the car's surface until it develops a sheen.
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Repeat the process over the entire surface of the car until the desired result is achieved.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat type of polisher should I use?Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services.If you're new to buffing your car, opt for a dual action polisher, which moves in circles. There's also a rotary polisher, which spins on a single axis, but it's normally used by people with a little more experience because you can get hot spots.
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QuestionHow do you manually buff a car?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYou’ll need a soft buffing cloth, such as a microfiber rag or foam applicator pad, and some polisher or wax. Buff in your wax or polisher using small, circular motions. You may need to repeat the process to get the desired finish. Just keep in mind it will take longer and be more strenuous than using an electric buffer.
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QuestionIs there a way to buff scratches out of a car?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIf the scratches are small and shallow, then you can buff them out with polish. However, if the scratch is deep enough to cut through the paint (rather than just the topcoat), you’ll need a more serious touch-up. If you can snag the scratch with your fingernail, it may be too deep. For small, shallow scratches, apply polish with a buffer or by hand using a soft applicator.
Video
Tips
- In order to keep compound and polisher out of the cracks and crevices in doors and in the car hood, apply masking tape over the jointsThanks
- Buffing can take up to 3 hours, so schedule your time accordingly.Thanks
- Be sure to go over the surface you intend to buff with specified car clay before buffing to remove contaminants and particles that are clinging to the paint's surface.Thanks
Warnings
- Do not use household detergent to wash a car. The ingredients are too abrasive and will strip the finish of the car.Thanks
- Before using the buffer, check the buffer and the car's surface for bits of sand or dirt. Any trace of grit can permanently scratch the car's finish if buffed into the car.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Random orbital, high speed or manual buffer
- Gallon sized bucket
- Car wash soap
- Large sponge
- Water
- Masking Tape
- Chamois or clean, soft towel
References
About This Article
To buff your car, first wash it thoroughly with soapy water and microfiber towels. You want it to be as clean as possible since any dirt could cause scratches when you start buffing. Once your car is dry, you can use either a high-speed buffer or an orbital buffer to buff it. A high-speed buffer will be faster and provide the best results, but there’s also a greater risk of damaging the paint if you’re not careful. If you use a high-speed buffer, practice on an inconspicuous area first until you get the hang of it. An orbital buffer will take longer to use, but it’s less likely to damage the paint. Apply a small amount of buffing compound to the pad on the buffer, then buff the surface of your car using even, circular movements, keeping the buffer moving at all times. Be gentle and keep a firm grip on the buffer to avoid damaging your car’s finish. Continue buffing until your car is as smooth and shiny as you’d like. When you’re finished, it’s a good idea to wax your car to help protect the finish. Try to buff your car about once a year to keep it looking brand new. To learn how to wash your car thoroughly before buffing it, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "Ran over some stop sticks recently and was looking for the best way to buff out the resulting scratches. This article definitely answered all my questions." ..." more
