Detailing Shop Talk- 1-Step Polishes Demo - What are realistic expectations when polishing paint?

#Polishingcarpaint #Polishingtips #Best1steppolish
When it comes to polishing paint there are a lot of different routes that you could choose. You can use a dedicated compound and strive for paint perfection and then follow up with a dedicated polish and even a jeweling glaze to give you completely swirl free and scratch free paint. But what if you have a newer vehicle and you don't want to be too aggressive on new clear coat? Or what if you have an older vehicle that the clear coat has severe defects with it and you don't want to be too aggressive compromising the clear coateven more? That's where a One Step polish comes into play. Perfect for the daily driver and to remove 50 to 75% of the swirls and scratches we're going to take a look at some of my favorite One Step polishes and see how they perform. My goal in this video is not to show you how to perfect paint but realistic expectations that you can achieve even with a mild pad and quick arm speed to enhance the paint and remove severe swirls and defects on the paint. Obviously if you have a more aggressive pad and a slower arm speed you can get even more correction but this is just to show you what these products are capable of. What is your go-to polish and what do you look for when polishing paint?
To try out any of these products heres the links:
Griots Garage GG6 DA polisher:
amzn.to/37pPDz1
Rupes Yellow foam pads:
amzn.to/2NBiXvz
Lake country Orange force pads:
amzn.to/2OMgcIm
3DOne: amzn.to/3s06gcw
Turtle Wax 1 & Done: amzn.to/3dm2zK5
Sonax Perfect Finish: amzn.to/3qvAnIu
Detail Addicts Platinum Polish: angelwaxwestcoast.com/product...
Angelwax Regenerate: angelwaxwestcoast.com/product...
Griots Correction Compound: amzn.to/3avChmE
Oberk Cut and Polish system: amzn.to/2NEGn2Q
Koch Chemie M302:www.detailedimage.com/Koch-Ch...
I am an Amazon affiliate in purchases made through links that I provide help support this Channel with a small commission. Thank you for your continued support!

[@RayDockrey]

I am just a beginner (at 55 years old) but I used The TW One and Done a couple weeks ago and had pretty good results with it. The paint wasn't perfect but I got just probably 75-80 percent perfection out of it. I ordered a paint thickness gauge so I can start having an idea of where I am starting at and then how much I am taking off. Love your videos and thanks for all the work you do to producing them.

[@andremdetails]

My go to one step is the 3D One. For one step it does a very good job and usually go about 6 passes. I tried Menzerna, not a fan. Orange pad combo with 3D one on a black paint (hardest paint to work with, In my opinion) best results. Thanks for making the video!

[@wayniac34]

I have pretty much settled on using 3D & Sonax. "Best" really depends on the user and all of their specific variables. If anyone is interested there's a very informative video on youtube hosted by Autogeek with the owner / head chemist of 3D . They discuss some of the 3D compounds / polishes (3D One included) and he provides some insight into how they create them. I was intrigued to hear that aside from actually mining the raw minerals used ... 3D takes ownership from raw minerals selection to the finished product. Great video! Thank You!

[@MikesAutoDetailing]

Great video Chelsea...... you make positive videos always..... thank you

[@jayz313]

Great comparison. I'm a bit old school, Sonax P.F. and a LC orange pad is a classic combination works well in a variety of situations as a one step or paint enhancement.

[@J1Z06]

Try a Rupes yellow pad. I tried one for the first time this weekend on a 2021 Mazda that's dark gray. It turned out better than we hoped.

[@KingRockets]

@@J1Z06 Does the Rupes yellow pad cut more than the LC orange pad?

[@J1Z06]

I think the orange pad has a little more bite.@@KingRockets

[@nicksdragon6929]

Excellent. They are all so close that I believe it comes down to personal preference because you're not going to be disappointed with any of them.

[@Carlos.Rivera]

My fastest way to do onestep is Griots garage fast correcting cream paired with orange foam pad

[@jayz313]

A Buff & Shine Blueberry or Maroon pad works great with Fast Correcting Cream.

[@392_brooklyn2]

My go to is Rupes uno protect and perfect finish.

[@mikaelfischer8429]

Thanks for sharing this, I am getting more into detailing and moving away from hand working my finishes on cars and trucks. My work is starting to pick up and I am going to be purchasing my first big boy polisher next week, ether a Flex or Rupes. your tips have made a difference in the way I am detailing. Thanks for posting. 👍👍👍👍👍💖💖💖💖💖

[@lead-dog]

Griot's Garage has an excellent polisher...the G9. Good price point too! IMO

[@mikaelfischer8429]

@@lead-dog Thank you, its been a challenge trying to decide on which brand to purchase. The porta cable I have is loud and vibrates, I want one that want one with little or no vibration, a bit quiter and wont over heat. I do a lot of big pickups here in Texas and these things take a lot of time to polish.

[@lead-dog]

@@mikaelfischer8429 Thanks Michael. Griot's has very little vibration or noise. Depends on your budget. Rupes is the "gold standard" for most. The G9 has been reviewed quite a bit on various You Tube channels. I think it gets universal approval from all levels of end users. I have the G8 too. Both recently updated by Griot's. And...most importantly...they have a 1 year no questions asked return policy and it may even be a lifetime guarantee on their polishers. Good solid company in my opinion.

[@PuckHead00]

That’s great to hear, Michael (very addictive hobby)! 😎 I would _highly_ recommend the new SineMate EX620 5/15 polisher. Carzilla has them, and Chris will give you UNPARALLELED customer service. Please keep in mind the prices are in Canadian dollars, so it’s a phenomenal deal (considering all the pads you also get with the package). Speaking of pads, in my opinion, the ShineMate Black Diamond pads are as good (I’d argue, even better) than all of the “major” players. Their orange pad is comparable to the new Rupes DA white, and their blue pad is comparable to the *famous* Rupes yellow pad. Finally, Detail PoPo has a very informative KZbin review on this polisher. I hope this helps out a bit, and stay safe and well! 🍻

[@mikaelfischer8429]

@@PuckHead00 Thank you very much, this does help.

[@kleytonusa]

I have a different opinion, which makes the difference is the professional, companies are always copying each other's products, the only thing that changes is the packaging, a good professional has to know the machine he will use if it is a rotary or an orbital, the type of pad if it is aggressive cut, medium cut, wool or foam, pressure is applied to the machine. I always say the combination of machine, compound(Smart or Dat), pad and pressure employed gives good result. Nice video.

[@VIM97]

Great unbiased video...keep up the good work!!!!

[@60trickpa]

Thanks for a great video. Some great information you gave about clear coat and trying for perfection.

[@axelbart7470]

Very cool thanks for sharing 👍

[@jameshutchins3396]

Excellent as always mom

[@briansepulveda1973]

saw your video on the depth gauge, and bought it off of amazon. came today and really love it. packaged really good.

[@millerdetailing4176]

Really great video , thank you for the comparison between these one step polishes and their capabilities.

[@J1Z06]

Terrific video! Very thorough. Thank You!

[@christianleclair4201]

good work

[@dvschle]

Great video! Thank you for the insight. I’ve gotta get a test panel or two. On my list once this snow clears. Thanks!!!

[@Exoseven]

Informative video, good job! 👍

[@splendidsplinter739]

Nice video Chelsea!

[@Cold_Blue_Steel]

Just found your channel on YT. Very informative and down to earth. I subscribed with notifications. Looking forward to your next vid.

[@attention2detailswchelsea]

Welcome and thanks for the support!

[@mattduffy2023]

1st from PA ...well besides you...lol. great video. I love these types of comparisons. Very informative...thank you

[@chrismurphy783]

Great review. Narrows down my polishing decisions.

[@edwardstutts1098]

Excellent video

[@julianmartinez6658]

Great video. I love 3D One. I've been having good luck with it.

[@ArpanMukhopadhyay93]

Useful video! Thanks!!

[@marksafady5986]

Great video! On soft black paint, PF is awesome as a 1-step!

[@404notfound.....]

I agree, the sonax perfect finish with 3-D one following closely behind. Nice video showing some of the most common yet most effective products for detailing. 👍👍chealsea

[@cxlmobileheadlightrestorat7906]

So, I saw another vid you did what do you think about m3 Koch chemie vs 3d one?

[@Youknowitbby]

This was awesome thanks for the in depth analysis and input 👍 Just did my first correction with 1 and done and a uro 50/50 pad and came out amazing only gripe is the constant damp wipe and 2nd dry wipe only con for me. Sonax PF will be my next project since the finish and wipe off is a level on the easier side much worth the extra $$ in my eye's 👍

[@ShineYourLightDetailing]

Great video! I like the Sonax Perfect Finish for deeper polishing & Xtreme Solutions ICE for lighter polishing. Thanks again, Chelsea!

[@James-pk4jf]

For my soft Japanese paint, I find menzerna 3500 to finish down perfectly whilst still being able to provide a good level of cut on a LC white polishing pad. 👍 good video

[@BetterThanNewDetailing]

Thanks for the comparison. I used 3D One and Sonax Perfect Finish quite a bit until TW came out with the 1 and done. To me it’s more about the pad choice vs which 1 step to use. The goal is to not have to remove ghosting or haze while still getting the most correction. Things like having to use a damp cloth for removal and dusting are nagging but acceptable if I can’t get great results with 1 product.

[@TKTampa]

Nice job, good product selection. I have done a a lot of AIO testing. RUPES UNO Protect is my favorite. BEST Gloss by far, and really good cut, RUPES yellow foam or yellow wool , done. 3D Speed, Sonax are my favorite back ups with great results.

[@kimnewling5728]

I think the Sonax did the trick for me. Good video. I'd like to get your opinion on the others you mentioned. M302, Griots. Also a yellow Rupes pad using those polishes.

[@aldaley3537]

Excellent video with invaluable information. I’ve had success with Sonax Perfect Finish with the Adams Swirl Killer 15mm DA polisher. Due to the weather, I have not been able to try the Turtle Wax 1and Done.

[@lead-dog]

Move south or west young man!

[@cynthiaenglish2736]

You covered all the bases - preserving clear coat, customer perceptions, ease of use and product performance. Nailed it. I’ve been compounding and then polishing w/Mezerna but your video has caused me to rethink my choices completely.

[@danlc95]

Very difficult to go wrong with Menzerna.

[@northfloridamobiledetailin2606]

Cool

[@karolisrum6573]

Perfect Finish is my go to for one steps! Koch Chemie F6.01 is also similar to it but the finish may be a touch worse though because it has a little more cut I think, and M3.02 is good for very soft paints.

[@scottmattern482]

If you haven't, try using h9/f6 for a couple quick passes then without wiping add a dab of m3 on a polishing/finishing pad to finish refining. You can get a two stage correction done pretty damn fast.

[@karolisrum6573]

@@scottmattern482 Thanks, I also know about this! Ive seen something similar on Hawk Pro Detailing channel, but havent tried it yet. Too cold to do paint corrections right now atleast where I live.

[@adamcoe]

Very much a weekend warrior but I got great results with 3D One and Buff and Shine pads (medium and light polish, nothing wicked aggressive) on a Dodge Caravan. Obviously didn't get everything, no deep scratches, but got 80-90 percent of the swirls and love marks. Dig the Poorboys SSR series as well and used them a little bit, so maybe consider doing a comparison of those in a video at some point, compared to each other (I believe there are 3 or 4 levels of cut) as well as against popular stuff like 3D One and SPF. Very good bang for the buck with the Poorboys products. Will definitely look at Sonax as my next one step as it clearly has a well deserved reputation. Great video!

[@DjBann]

Angelwax Regenerate is my go-to for one steps. 3DOne is definitely oily for sure, but still an amazing product. Been hearing a lot of great things about Sonax perfect finish. Judging by the video, I felt that Detail Addicts & TW 1 & Done didn't finish down as good as the other three products. Of course a few extra passes would've fixed that. Great Video

[@Tonyis4given]

It’s usually Sonax or 3D One for me, like you said it depends on the paint

[@georgemyers6518]

Great video and very informative as always. I think that all of those products worked well for gloss enhancement. I like Rupes uno protect with the Rupes medium cut wool pad.works fantastic for gloss enhancement on used cars but sadly Rupes discontinued the uno protect. Hopefully they will bring it back eventually. Please keep up the product comparison videos.I enjoy them a lot

[@Mark-ig7jo]

When did they discontinue Rupes Uno Protect? I can find it anywhere, including Rupes' website.

[@danlc95]

It's still available. Your vendor may have discontinued carrying it, but Rupes never discontinued it.

[@vincentc7950]

Great video, huge fan of all content. Suprised you didnt throw griots correcting in here, looks liek you got great results with it in the past. Where would you rank that among these

[@haroldcottam8174]

Great video. I know they make pads designed to be used with these polishes. Do you ever use them or do you still prefer the orange pad?

[@nilsmedaas350]

Nice :-)

[@joshuasandor4930]

I think Ardex High Def would be quite the competition in this line up. It is an all in one, with the ability to choose cut strength with High Def#1, or #2.

[@henerybui7548]

Do you think you can test the CSI one step polish?

[@MikesAutoDetailing]

1st from California

[@danmcgee4734]

I have used a majority of those polishes but I just recently forked out for Sonax P.F. Something the video cannot convey is the feel. It is unsupassed. Sonax is Unicorn poop. I will never go back. Thank you for the review. ❤

[@lead-dog]

Hi Chelsea. As always great video. I would never give you a thumbs down...;). You are a very practical and competent women and you explained the rationale behind your methodology clearly. But for me you just didn't do enough...go far enough. I detail about 6 cars a month...its a passion/hobby not a livelihood. (I'm retired on Amelia Island, FL) I'm more likely to want as much correction/perfection as possible. The question I would like to have seen you answer/demonstrate is what is the best percentage of correction you can get from a 1 step. You just did 4 passes and the results you got would not make me happy for my work. I wish you would have shown us...what is the best results you can get from a 1 step. That's what I'm interested in. I hope you will give me the answer that in a future video. Keep up the great work. Just fyi...the high today is going to be in the high 70's. I notice your current temperature in Central PA is 23. Have a great day.

[@attention2detailswchelsea]

I typically for a paint enhancement using an AIO will use the orange pads and shoot for speed and gloss vs correction. For a 1-step I will use my yellow rupes foam pads and get 75% correction if not close to 90%. I wanted to show these products capabilities even if moving fast and a mild pad but I agree I would want slightly more for a 1 step. That's why I said the goal with the demo wasnt to show how to perfect paint but to show what they can do even quickly and that if you have a different pad and slower arm speed you can get even more correction. It was also meant to challenge the thinking that every car needs to be perfect because its not always the best for the customer or their car. Just food for thought.

[@thinkforyourself5672]

Hey Chelsea, For very light swirls on a Honda, what combination of Lake Country Pads would you buy if you had 2 choices? Orange and Black? Orange and White? I was going to get white and black but now I'm thinking maybe or Orange and Black just in case I have to go over it again and finish with a finishing polish. I have Perfect finish, Ultimate Polish and Compound, Poor Boys SSR-2, Fabulous Finishing polish and One and Done Compound to try.

[@attention2detailswchelsea]

Id try white and orange. Black is more for finishing very soft paints or applying waxes/sealants. Start with white if that doesn't get it orange should with a light polish. If you notice marring or a haze, its either pad is too aggressive or polish is too aggressive.

[@seabrew1]

3d can be a pita wipe off. Perfect finish is really nice and the new rupes da fine.

[@rOmEoMUstDi3]

What pad from harbor freight would to pair the 3D one with? All these pad stuff confuse me.

[@johnp6987]

Great tip about getting a test hood,.better to mess that up than your own car 😫

[@p8rdm]

I have some MeguIars 205 and Rupes Uno protect, what do you think of those for an all in one? I do like the look of the sonax perfect finish though.

[@attention2detailswchelsea]

Id rather m210 than 205 as its designed more for das and less dust but havent tried Uno protect.

[@danlc95]

M205 is a finishing polish, and Uno Protect is a cleaner wax. Apples and oranges there. For an "All In One" or cleaner wax, you'd probably want Uno Protect.

[@larrys2554]

Hi Chelsea, what handheld light do you like to check paint finishes? And paint depth gauge? Thank you

[@attention2detailswchelsea]

My Astro 50sl max amzn.to/3oO5lLG

[@Tops1212]

To me, 3d one has the cut of hd cut and the finish of Sonax PF...

[@shanedunn4110]

😍

[@MrBest-mr2my]

Can these be used in the heat/sun

[@attention2detailswchelsea]

I havent tried too many of them in the sun. I know Koch Chemie products tend to be sun friendly though. I typically polish in the shade or use an AIO if working in the sun. HDSpeed works great in the sun

[@larrys2554]

Hi, love the work you do & the channel. You said 4-5 mil of paint. How much of that do you think is clear coat? I don’t have a depth gauge. If your correction removed .1-.3 clear coat, that doesn’t seem like a lot. Just wondering how many times a vehicle can stand to be corrected safely. Thanks 😊

[@attention2detailswchelsea]

Its about a 1/3 of base, color and then clear so if its 4-5 mils than its about 1.3 -1.6 mills of each. So if each time you do a paint enhancement or polish can remove .1-.3 (and I was using a mild pad and moving quickly) I'd imagine you could polish 3-4 times (that's being generous) before making issues. A more aggressive pad or slower arm speed I'd say 2-3. Again all my opinion and guesstimates. But a ceramic coat can help your clear coat live longer by becoming a sacrificial layer on top.

[@larrys2554]

@@attention2detailswchelsea thank you for info, gives me some basic knowledge for detailing.

[@danlc95]

The first section of using 3D One is always a pain to remove, but the subsequent sections are a breeze due to "stretching" the polish. A lot of time after my first section I'll brush off the pad, and tap it on thr next section to see how much polish is still on the pad, then proceed with the polishing. I can sometimes do that two or three times before reloading with a drop or two. This is when 3D One is a breeze to wipe off. Short nap towels also help. I use the TRC 365 edgeless for polish removal.

[@markthayne2408]

Jescar for more aggressive cut, following by perfect finish

[@roymurray2516]

3D one all day

[@petebrandstrom1038]

1. Sonax, 2. 3D

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

1st

[@arthurcormier2017]

I don’t agree Sonax is crap