How to polish paint! PADS, POLISHERS, SPEED & PRESSURE!

Have you ever wondered which pad or polisher to use -- and why? Have you ever wondered how much pressure to put on the machine, or how fast to move your arms as you polish? In this Paint Polishing "clinic," Nick and Yvan ago over the ins and outs of polishing paint using the Gold Standard Polishing System.
Here's a viewing guide, with time codes!
01:30 Using the Palm Sander to polish - with 3 different pads (testing cut and finish)!
05:15 Using the 25mm Dual Action Polisher - with 3 different pads (testing cut and finish)!
08:59 Using the Rotary Polisher - with 3 different pads (testing cut and finish)
12:30 Which cuts more defects, rotary or Dual Action?
14:20 2-Step Polish, explained
17:45 Measuring heat when polishing
19:18 Putting pressure on the machine when polishing
25:50 Damp vs. Dry Pads when polishing
Website: diydetail.com/
PRODUCTS USED:
GOLD STANDARD POLISH: bit.ly/GoldStandardPolish
GOLD STANDARD WAFFLE PAD: bit.ly/GoldStandardWafflePad
GOLD STANDARD WOOL PAD: bit.ly/GoldStandardWoolPad
ROTARY JEWELING PAD: bit.ly/RotaryJewelingPad
MAX GLOSS ROTARY POLISHER: bit.ly/DIYMaxGlossRotary
DA CORRECTION PRO POLISHER: 25MM DUAL ACTION POLISHER: bit.ly/25mmCorrectionProDA
PAD WASHER: bit.ly/PadWasher
Podcast:bit.ly/DIYDetailPodcast
Join the DIY Detail Facebook Group!: bit.ly/DIYDetailFacebookGroup
#autodetailing #diydetail #yvanlacroix #carwash #claytowel #detailing #detalingtip #howtodetailacar #detailing101

[@crombienator1]

This is one of the most helpful, succinct, videos I’ve seen. Very simple and uncomplicated for beginners. I think everyone can start with one pass and one polish to test results without risking problems. I am curious why more polish makers don’t do spray rather than “squeezing drops?”

[@diydetailofficial]

Simply because it would cut Polish sales by 75%

[@border056]

Very excited for this. I took my new car in for its first service today and the tech dragged the air hose across the front, scratching it. Thankfully, it’s light and doesn’t feel rough or catch with a nail. Just ordered some gold standard polish and a waffle pad

[@diydetailofficial]

Please let us know how it turns out in our facebook group bit.ly/DIYDetailFacebookGroup

[@joejmartin]

Always out of stock

[@GoGreenBx]

@@joejmartinnot anymore

[@davidbrymer1230]

One of your best videos to date. The step by step comparison is priceless information.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@rubenharris9241]

One of your best videos yet gents…..and that is saying a lot given the high quality content in your YT library!

[@diydetailofficial]

Wow, thank you!

[@BreezeMW]

One of my favorite videos yet guys VERY informative. Thanks!

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rooboy99]

Great video guys. Appreciate your time on this

[@diydetailofficial]

Thanks for watching!

[@GeorgePap99]

Amazing video, we needed this long time, haha!! The editing was also very refreshing!

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@in2detailing]

This definitley gives me the confidence to obtain great results using your recommended polishers and pads based when polishing paint. Thanks for the content.

[@diydetailofficial]

Great to hear!

[@scottturner864]

Awesome video, it answered several questions I had. Thanks.

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bimmer.doctor]

This is exactly what I needed. Great video guys!

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad it helped!

[@markmoore6264]

Another fantastic video which helps us mere mortals master the art of polishing paint.

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad to help

[@danielmchugh9052]

Hey fellas great video! A few weeks ago I purchased system 4000 pad cleaner and your Gold Standard Polish Kit and went to town on my car. Wow this makes polishing so simple its amazing!!!!! Anyone thinking about pulling the trigger on this outfit just do yourself a huge favor and do it! I will save sooooooo much money on pads and polish now plus ease of use I cant thank you enough! Love it love love it!!!!!!! THANK YOU GUYS !!!!!!!!!

[@diydetailofficial]

Great to hear!

[@bennewton934]

Extremely helpful video for me! I'm a very beginner and these basics like pressure and speed are lots of times skipped over but not here! Thanks

[@bennewton934]

Also can I use a damp pad with other brands polished/pads

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thesamsquatch5224]

Thank you for this video! Something I’ll be using to help better myself. DIY for the win!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@suciuovidiu8478]

Great video as always! Thank you for sharing with us all these informations. Greetings from Europe, Romania

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MNpicker]

Awesome vid!!

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@eltoronegro]

Have been wanting to polish my daughter’s 20 yr old bmw and have been scared. Now I feel way more confident. Thanks.

[@diydetailofficial]

You can do it!

[@bheypuor]

Great video! I think I’ll invest in that wool pad!

[@diydetailofficial]

Good choice!

[@kirbyschneider4187]

Heck of a video! Thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thanks

[@user-on8cl1ig5d]

Thank you for this video

[@diydetailofficial]

So nice of you

[@Zulek85]

I like watching you, especially Ivan, he looks and acts like a trustworthy person. you always explain everything in an easy, logical way and, above all, you don't force to follow 100 rules and buy 200 different products.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@andrewr3403]

Love this channel can’t wait to get your rotary and pads!! Hey how much rinseless wash do you guys add to the lake country pad cleaner?

[@diydetailofficial]

1 cap full

[@stevenv9224]

Really like this video 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@diydetailofficial]

Glad you liked it!!

[@JR-nh4fi]

Nick awesome questions man i ask some of them myself thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

Happy to help!

[@herbertmalave4079]

great video guys i feel u guys help a lot weekend warriors and the so called d/tailers who hide a lot polishing defects with fillers and not informing the client what, s was done to the vehicle for a lower price and not getting a decent job as expected but these video help with the consumer to have an idea what s out their and what to expect

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@thewealthadvisor]

Thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@ryeguy88]

I'd love to see a video on cleaning wool pads. I have the purple LC foamed wool pads and I'm never sure if the dunk in rinseless and spin method works.

[@diydetailofficial]

It sure does work

[@bradleyfisk7524]

Would you use the wool plus DA 8mm throw for “spot” cutting deeper scratches then polish the entire panel with the gold waffle, wipe clean, then move to the jewel pad for a finish polish? Have a 10yr old black f150 I’m about to use your products on with some decent deep scratches plus normal swirl scratches (lighter) thanks for any help!

[@diydetailofficial]

No need for all 3 pads, wool then gold with a 8mm stroke.

[@yavorhristov6863]

Awesome video😊. As i have LC4000 and the powder of LC, is that what I need to use to damp the pads only? Pure water or pad lube spray will work as well? Cheers, Yavor

[@diydetailofficial]

That powder or DIY Detail Rinse Less Wash

[@mikesilveira8114]

Amazing info! I get speed 3 DA, 1 for rotary all no pressure but what about the 5-5-5 method for deep scratches??

[@diydetailofficial]

Speed 5

[@donf1526]

Great content. Are you guys getting more inventory in? Seems much is sold out.

[@diydetailofficial]

More every day

[@SneakerHeadChris]

Great video! Appreciate all the tips given for a beginner. How many jeweling pads would be needed for an SUV?

[@diydetailofficial]

One

[@SneakerHeadChris]

@@diydetailofficial would the same apply is using the wool pad?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@armand4055]

Thanks for the great video! With respect to the polish on the pad, it would be nice in a short to show what the pad looks like after you have done the one spray. I have tried a few times, yet I feel the pad does not have enough on it. Also, your video description talked about how fast to move your hands when polishing and cutting. While you didn't specifically mention is, the way you did the test pass with the DA and the Rotary, would that be the speed you do the entire car at?

[@diydetailofficial]

That’s the correct speed, most of our long form polishing videos show the polish on the pad at least once. Don’t overthink it.

[@E-M-C]

I have the Lake Country System 4000 washer, and noticed that I have residual moisture in my pad (foam pad). This residual moisture results in polish flinging (similar to what happened at 24:27 in this video). Do you have any tips on making sure that the moisture is completely removed before putting the pad back on paint? I have a Rupes LHR15 mkiii DA polisher. I have tried using fewer "pumps" of the 4000, and spinning the DA at full speed for 5+ seconds, but even that doesn't fully release all of the moisture sometimes.

[@diydetailofficial]

Unfortunately the Rupes polishers are set up to be sanders, not polishers. Google Rupes washer modification, it’s a little modification that allows the backing plate to free spin, giving you better performance from your polisher, and allowing it to spin the excess moisture from the pad.

[@E-M-C]

@@diydetailofficial Wow, thank you for sharing this information so quickly.

[@JaeHPark-so7dy]

What stage do you use panel prep when polishing and applying ceramic coating? After wiping polish with rinseless dampened towel?

[@diydetailofficial]

Correct

[@gorillanismo]

wow. learned so much!!!! so, does the orbital sander being a 3mm orbit and 10,000 opm have more cut or less cut than a rotary at speed 1?

[@diydetailofficial]

About the same

[@gorillanismo]

@@diydetailofficial sorry to keep doing circles but can you please explain a little more why APP is better with thr sander than the rotary if the cut is about the same?

[@privacyrules]

Thoughts on using an isopropyl alcohol wipe to remove the polishing residue instead of rinseless wash?

[@diydetailofficial]

Not a good idea, too much risks

[@robbienyc3102]

Thank you for making Sundays great again!!!!!! You guys just keep inspiring - these video content never gets old …..

[@diydetailofficial]

Thanks for watching!

[@harryarha7770]

Hey thank you for the great video! I have been getting some questions watching your videos lately. I was getting confused on what your suggestion is on between DA and rotary, and under what conditions what might be better over the other. I only asked because watching number of your videos on polishing, I feel like sometimes you are pushing for DA and sometimes for rotary. So I was wondering your opinion on them! Secondly, I was wondering the courseness of the gold polish. It is the first time that I come acorss a spray type polish that does not really specify the courseness. I see that you use it for all types of scratches whether deep or light. Is it like those ones where the particles inside start large and breakdown to a small ones that allows you to do a one step process? Lastly, I was wondering if your rinsless wash has wax in it as well!

[@diydetailofficial]

We feature both machines, it’s not a one or the other type thing. Our The Gold Standard Polishing System uses the pads to determine the cut. DIY Detail Rinse Less Wash is a pure cleaner, no waxes or sealants

[@harryarha7770]

@@diydetailofficial Thank you! If I remember right, you have mentioned in the other video that rotary gives you the better finish and DA gives you more cuts? For a relatively new car (< 1 year old), if I am polishing to apply the ceramic coating, would you suggest to one step polish with red waffle pad? or the gold one? Is it fine to wipe off the polish with 70% IPA?

[@frankmartini7337]

Can we use the red pad with DA polisher for gloss, or would that only come with rotary?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, the shorter the stroke the better

[@user-lj5wv2tt9d]

Is gold standard ok to use on ppf? How do I go about polishing parts with small pieces of ppf like lower fenders or the square piece that they like to put right below the license plates on trunks

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes it can be used on PPF

[@BlueJeanF150]

I wish we could have seen the results on camera, would a light directly on it help? Thanks for the video and I'm looking forward to trying your system out for myself.

[@diydetailofficial]

Unfortunately it was difficult to see

[@rainwingmichael6691]

I have a question toward ceramic coating. If I have no applicator pad and I have my towels and coat. What can I use to apply it until I purchase a applicator pad?

[@diydetailofficial]

Lots of detailing suppliers sell their own version of ceramic coating applicators, any can technically work just some absorb up a lot more coating

[@rainwingmichael6691]

@diydetailofficial I didn't know if a microfiber towl would not be the greatest application tool. Cus that's all I have right now

[@tbow49]

Also I am just starting of if I don’t have the pre wash what can I use to wet the pad? Thanks

[@diydetailofficial]

Water

[@privacyrules]

Thoughts on using a glaze after polishing but before applying a sealant?

[@diydetailofficial]

Shouldn’t need that

[@Thankful_n_Grateful]

Will any of those pads & DA orbital or rotary cut through clear coat?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@ivanflores9577]

Could you use your system on a DCW210B20V MAX* XR 5 in Brushless Cordless Variable-Speed Random Orbital Sander ? Or should i but one a specific machine to do the work? I've seen you use a corded sander but not sure if results could be similiar on a bettery operated one?

[@diydetailofficial]

That will work

[@eddieblount216]

The yellow waffle pad is it considered a polishing pad or a light cut pad or heavy cutting pad

[@diydetailofficial]

It removes moderate defects and it finishes down super well, it’s our most versatile pad. If you want heavy cutting, we have our wool cutting pad for that

[@eddieblount216]

@@diydetailofficial you didn’t really answer the question what is the yellow foam pad cut considered as? Light cut or polishing?

[@patrikkihlman6979]

Are you dampening the pad in rinsless? If yes can you dampen it with anything else? Regular water?

[@diydetailofficial]

DIY Detail Rinse Less Wash is best

[@bswan25]

What causes the DIY Gold standard polish to be sticky and hard to wipe off? I was working outside in the shade and I wasn't in a hurry to wipe it off the panel like you do in some of your videos but it was hard to remove.

[@diydetailofficial]

A few possible reasons, one is the product was over worked , or overheated.

[@acquiesce1064]

For that HF palm sander, are you using the weight of the machine or are you holding it up slightly off the surface? I just picked it up for $15 this weekend!

[@diydetailofficial]

The weight of the machine

[@dennisjohnsen7908]

I only have a 8mm random orbital polisher, to get similar cutting to a 15mm or 21mm, would you recommend taking it to speed 4, or stick with speed 3? Or anything else for 8mm random orbital you would recommend? I wish i could just go out and test it, but as a DIY'er i have to plan a little ahead, so my wife and kids wont kill me spending too long on tests spots various methods. Obviously test spots with different pads :)

[@diydetailofficial]

Unfortunately an 8 mm polisher requires patience

[@dennisjohnsen7908]

Alright, will stick to the best practices that you guys showed. Thanks for answering! :)@@diydetailofficial

[@benjaminfang2994]

I only have a DA polisher. For two step can I use rotary jewel pad on my DA after using wool

[@diydetailofficial]

The gold waffle is a better choice on a 15 or 21 mm machine

[@benjaminfang2994]

Is there any place on the workflow for the red jewel pad for my DA? Or should I just purchase the gold waffle and wool pad

[@diydetailofficial]

No need for the red pad with that machine

[@carloscamacho8802]

What do you suggest using on a motorcycle? The areas are a lot smaller

[@diydetailofficial]

A 3 inch backing plate on a rotary

[@jfarm_1311]

How much longer would you estimate it takes to clean pads without a pad washer with the bowl of rinseless and by hand?

[@diydetailofficial]

The length of time isn’t a big difference

[@Fishing4ever.]

Hi, can i use medium cut compound with your yellow waffle pad ?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@Fishing4ever.]

@@diydetailofficial Thank you for reply. I have already ordered your Gold waffle pad. Greetings from the UK

[@diydetailofficial]

@Fishing4ever. Thank you.

[@rooboy99]

Are the pads dampened in plain water or are you adding rinseless to the water ? Thx in advance

[@diydetailofficial]

DIY Detail Rinse Less Wash 256/1

[@rooboy99]

​@@diydetailofficialthx

[@OrthoMark]

The DA will cut much faster on a flat panel. How much of a car, generally speaking has completely flat panels? I love the random orbital but the stalling really slows things down. I use the 3401 but it’s limited as far as cut. Love that it does not stall, though, and easier to control than a rotary.

[@diydetailofficial]

Our 25mm DA requires effort to stall

[@bswan25]

Which is more aggressive; an 8mm DA with the wool pad or a 15mm DA polisher with the gold pad?

[@diydetailofficial]

About even

[@monkeyman6847]

What do you do if you end up with a little DA haze?

[@diydetailofficial]

Use a stiffer foam pad like our gold waffle. Or the red waffle on a rotary.

[@alvin3502]

Can I do a 2 step with a rotary and wool and red gloss pad? I can only afford 1 machine and I choose rotary because of the gloss that it can give

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@alvin3502]

@@diydetailofficial how about for Japanese soft paint?

[@diydetailofficial]

@@alvin3502 same thing

[@smartitsank]

Why you think palm sander working at 13000/10000 orbit per minute is least aggresive method with jewelling pad than rotary working at 600/800 rpm ?

[@diydetailofficial]

Short answer, math. Long answer,a rotary with a 6 inch pad at 600 rpm passes the abrasive over the surface at 4.7 m per second. A Da with a 3mm stroke passes the abrasive over the surface at 1.8m per second at 12,000 OPM.

[@dgeldmacher55]

Have you guys ever considered making a video detailing a boat or RV?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, stay tuned

[@dgeldmacher55]

Thats awesome

[@dgeldmacher55]

Is gold standard good for boats and RV's?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@jessefields9535]

great info, you should move the camera around more so we can see the difference

[@diydetailofficial]

Great tip, we will work on that for the next one

[@TheGaloBro]

Can I Use The Wool Pad on PPF?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@rooboy99]

I'll have to watch the replay. My eyes wont be open at 3am

[@diydetailofficial]

I’m in Australia as well. I’ll be watching later

[@rooboy99]

​@@diydetailofficiallooking forward to meeting u on wednesday Yvan.

[@kendelc1973]

Where is the best place to look for test hoods?

[@diydetailofficial]

Try your local body shop

[@fastfed]

They "never go for perfection" how about you guys DO GO FOR PERFECTION, you know just to show us

[@diydetailofficial]

Good plan

[@user-xp7jt5ri5z]

guys which brand of handheld polisher/sander are you using? I dont care which, I just want buy one bc not all sanders spin! Thanks

[@thesamsquatch5224]

This is a Bauer palm sander from harbor freight

[@diydetailofficial]

Bauer from Harbour Freight

[@user-xp7jt5ri5z]

thanks all.

[@user-xp7jt5ri5z]

@@thesamsquatch5224 thanks

I would love to see this on Tesla paint! 😊

[@diydetailofficial]

Same results

[@TopShottaFYC]

Please measure with a gloss meter for a quick second in videos if you guys can. Just to visually show the people out there that the rotary not only cuts less than the DA, but also finishes glossier.

[@diydetailofficial]

We will

[@vseznaykainvestigator7500]

All clean discontinued?

[@diydetailofficial]

No, website maintenance

[@oRedRaider]

FUN TIMES!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@NiceManley]

Why do u Dampen your pads? Does this not dilute the polish/cut

[@diydetailofficial]

It cools the surface, providing better cut and finish. Also your pads will last longer. There’s not enough moisture to dilute a polish

[@NiceManley]

@@diydetailofficialAhw deadly thanks for the reply

[@joshhunter935]

Is your system body shop safe/approved?

[@thesamsquatch5224]

Absolutely yes, the only product that can potentially cause a trouble is tire dressing.

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@joshhunter935]

@@thesamsquatch5224 luckily we don’t use tie dressing in our body shop 😂

[@joshhunter935]

@@diydetailofficial 👍👍👍

[@tbow49]

Everything is sold out!! Are you guys out the rest of the year?

[@diydetailofficial]

More inventory is returning daily

[@MarkBrown9165]

You always use a soft paint what happens if you use a hard paint like bmw

[@diydetailofficial]

This is hard paint

[@MarkBrown9165]

Good

[@dougswaim1835]

Still waiting for the iron removal, water spot remover, and all clean

[@diydetailofficial]

Hopefully in the next week or so, please stay tuned (and thank you for your patience!)

[@henrylynch9437]

Quick question, how do you prevent getting such a sore back and shoulders after detailing. I’m 17 but feel about 90 at the end of each day 😂 Thanks

[@diydetailofficial]

Film yourself and observe your posture.

[@henrylynch9437]

@@diydetailofficial Will do!

[@ChiGalKMcAcura]

See you at noon!!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@meanf1502]

Speed 1 rotary with red pad an my Harley an truck look awsome thanks Ivan an nick look at my picture

[@diydetailofficial]

Very nice!

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

Ready

[@rooboy99]

Wow, you werent first! Lol

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

@@rooboy99 I was working on a vehicle 😜

[@rooboy99]

​@@1stfrompuertorico568no excuse mate. Im reporting you to Yvan and Nick

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

​@@rooboy99😜😜😜I have to do a lot of stuff

[@joejmartin]

Always out of stock

[@diydetailofficial]

Unfortunately we are growing faster than all our suppliers anticipated.

[@joejmartin]

Time to find a different supplier

[@diydetailofficial]

Why

[@joejmartin]

@@diydetailofficial because the current supplier is unable to supply enough products causing you to loose money……

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, we currently use multiple suppliers to deal with supply issues

[@user-vm9ew6nz1r]

Horrendous camera work. You need to put a light over each polished section to show how it looks. Also you guys never IPA wipe after polishing. Suspicious.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@edsonherald3720]

You Guys HAVE TO Improve The Camera Angles To Show The Results “You’re Talking Avout” ! Otherwise It’s Just “BLAH, BLAH, BLAH” !

[@diydetailofficial]

We are working on it

[@Deadjeb]

Many of the DIYDetail products are out of stock, when can we expect the new arrivals?? Thanks!

[@diydetailofficial]

We have products arriving daily

[@Sellingcoaching]

Question for you. I just all three of your pads, the polish and rinsless. Never polished before but been watching ALL of your videos. 1) if I had one polisher to get for doing maybe 5 vehicles a year that are in pretty good shape Would you recommend DA or rotary? Seems like both cut well but rotary not only can cut but is better for finishing. I’m drawn to the rotary but most say start with DA. 2) if I’m doing a two step using your polish in the shade, can I polish the whole car with say gold waffle THEN do the whole car with red jeweling pad even if the polish is dry by the time I get back to it? Or do i remove the polish before it dries THEN do the second step? Thank you for all your help, your videos have made this seem so simple! Thought it would be easier to keep track of what

[@diydetailofficial]

Both machines will serve you well, it’s up to you. In direct sunlight, best to wipe off.

[@FrogDick]

Is there wax in your gold standard polish?

[@diydetailofficial]

No, no fillers either. What you see is what you get 👍