How to REMOVE scratches and BOOST gloss: “cut and polish” tutorial

This is a step-by-step "how to" guide for compounding and polishing paint. If you have defects -- swirls, scratches, love marks -- that you want to remove, you're in the right place! In this video, Nick and Yvan demonstrate how to compound paint with a wool pad and 25mm dual action polisher. They then use a rotary polisher, along with a soft foam jeweling pad, to further refine the paint and add additional gloss. Products used are below (our polishers are set to be released in March!):
GOLD STANDARD POLISH: bit.ly/GoldStandardPolish
GOLD STANDARD WOOL PAD: bit.ly/GoldStandardWoolPad
ROTARY JEWELING PAD: bit.ly/RotaryJewelingPad
Polish removal:
RINSELESS WASH: bit.ly/RinselessWash
WHITE TOWEL: bit.ly/PearlTowelGrey
RED TOWEL: bit.ly/NicksFavoriteGlassTowel
Website: diydetail.com/
Podcast: bit.ly/DIYDetailPodcast
#autodetailing #diydetail #yvanlacroix #carwash #polish #detailing #chevrolet

[@rooboy99]

Nice work lads. Look forward to the stack.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@stevenv9224]

Love this video on the polishers💪🏼👍🏼💪🏼👍🏼 great to se them in action

[@diydetailofficial]

Thanks 👍

[@M.D.MobileDetailing]

Nothing would be better than an IPA/Water mix for panel prep... That is a bold statement Yvan, I wouldn't expect anything different from you! I guess I'll be picking up the DIY Detail panel prep as I use your coatings in my business, you've sold me.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@M.D.MobileDetailing]

@@diydetailofficial Except it's sold out! haha

[@diydetailofficial]

Should be back today

[@nachomandetailingservices1057]

Great video❤

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you!!

[@markmoore6264]

Thank you for demystifying polishing paintwork and making it accessible to mortals who want to make their vehicles look good. I recently used your gold standard polish and cant see me going back to anything else.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@aldaley3537]

Even though I don’t Polish often, I want one of those detail stools.

[@diydetailofficial]

Super confortable, great for interiors as well.

[@michaelbaillargeon3308]

Where can I get one of those rolling seat & knee pad stools ?@@diydetailofficial

[@rooboy99]

Gday from Australia. Notification is turned on. See u in 24 hours

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you

[@CorralsGarage]

i’m gonna try out the gold standard. I love your other products. I’m pretty sure this one will not disappoint. I’m gonna buy the pad and the red pad too question on the red pad I don’t have a rotary can I use 15 MMDA on the red pad, I appreciate it and thank you for the videos, they help me tremendously learn a lot from you guys

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, you can use a DA with the red pad.

[@oRedRaider]

Ohhhhhhh fun day today!

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes!

[@dgoode2846]

Thank you 👍👍

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you too

[@migueldimalanta2916]

If the polisher is made by Checheng....one of the best polishers I've used and I've used them all except Cyclo. So much power and so smooth.

[@diydetailofficial]

Checheng isn’t the manufacturer, but yes they also make good machines.

[@jhiggi7282]

What machines are they? And are you planning to sell them thru your store

[@scraverX]

I really like those kneeling creepers you are using in this video.

[@diydetailofficial]

thank you!

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s a prototype we are working on.

[@andyg7210]

Great video! What's your process/method for dealing with rock chips?

[@diydetailofficial]

Touch up paint after polishing

[@becomingunhuman2106]

Love the videos guys! Will this two step process work with a cheap hand sander instead of the DA and rotary? I’ve got some decent scratches on my all black ram 1500 and I’m afraid a one step with the yellow waffle pad won’t be enough to reduce the scratches. The level of reduction you showcased here is exactly what I’m looking for.

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes it will work.

[@becomingunhuman2106]

@@diydetailofficialthank you guys for all you do!

[@richardparsons9705]

Great video guys and love the information that you share. One of the main issues that I find on my 2015 car is 'Water spots'. I have learnt a lot of the years on the best methods of cleaning the car, however some of this was later once I had the water spots already. What are your recommendations on getting ride of these? The main areas are of course the bonet (hood for you US folk) and roof. I have a water spot remove which recommends to leave for 30sec and wipe off. I currently have a turtle wax ceramic coating so would look to do this in 3 months time as it would have weared off by then. They maybe deep in the clear coat - so any thoughts?

[@diydetailofficial]

This may help kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmqueGyHZa-roqcsi=e8kTjQV6_yiTxyUn

[@richardparsons9705]

Many thanks@@diydetailofficial

[@phillipusmalan8841]

Good day Guys. As a novice at home detailer that hasn't used a Polishing machine before, what would your advice be for removing swirl marks/ light scratches ? What Would your recommendations for someone who's never used a machine? Great content

[@diydetailofficial]

Here’s a video that can help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJWsf31jaLKWZrcsi=G1xl1S17PHx2rJtQ

[@gogators5762]

Release date for you machine? Looks great guys!!

[@diydetailofficial]

Late March

[@gogators5762]

Thank you!

[@gs_mick]

Another cracking video!!! What’s the likelihood of the DIY machines coming to the UK later in the year? I know you’ve said US release is end of March… Oh and same question on the kneeling detail seat…😂

[@diydetailofficial]

It will be up to the demand.,

[@MarkRidge-yf5kq]

Good question!!!!!!

[@MarkRidge-yf5kq]

I want one!!. There's already a demand for them,and your whole range of products!!!!!

[@KR8810]

Love diy products. Also Yvans techniques and what he teaches is always a new learning experience. With that being said lately yvan been acting too much of a nagging old man. Stool is wrong, looking at the pad is wrong, using tape is wrong!, IG people are wrong! i love diy products i say this and with all good intentions focus on how you do it right instead of how others do it wrong! I want to see you guys succeed 🙏🏼

[@diydetailofficial]

They are not wrong, just showing different ways. We are trying to make detailing simpler.

[@stevenv9224]

When the polisher goes up for sale. Are you guys going to have a combo deal going or is it going to be sold individually?

[@diydetailofficial]

Good idea

[@bloggia7]

Are you going to do a glass detailing video.

[@diydetailofficial]

Good idea

[@HamnJam51]

Thanks for the video! I have a Griot's G9 (9mm orbit throw). Would that suffice for the wool pad at step 1 and then the red jewelling pad for 2nd step? The yellow pad didn't remove the scuffs and marks on my first attempt. Would a 3-step polish (wool, yellow, red) be better?

[@diydetailofficial]

Wool will cut more, no need to do 3 steps.

[@ThanksButNoThanks_27]

Hey guys - Thanks for all the content and tips. For a new car, after decon (some water spots, a bit of glue), two questions 1) is there a need to run the yellow pad and then the red? Or should I go straight to the red? 2) I have a rotary that does 4,400 orbits per minute, one speed only. Is that too fast a speed?

[@diydetailofficial]

The Red pad should be fine but you want a tool that doesn’t go over 1000 rpm.

[@mutatedgenome]

When will these polishers be available and do you plan on releasing any brushless versions or cordless?

[@diydetailofficial]

They will be available in March, cordless are still in development.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

Ready as always

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

​@diydetailofficial 😜I was listening and CVMarius was late today😜😜😜I was helping a user with something on Excel since wanted to attach an email within a cell as part of a documentation, so I was listening and watching but could write today. So Mary was right, I was busy😁

[@chriscotton4207]

Posture is important you are correct, but working through weird angles with proper muscular support is idea. We start our lives off with 200 positions of comfort. We dwindle down as we age (as low as 10) and thats due to strength but lack of movement/mobility. Work fluid and this job is great for your body. Same with construction. I'm a 15 year concrete guy turned detailer due to having kids.PM work isn't conducive to a family. But, even that job is good if you lift and work properly. The issue is people drink, and eat terribly as well. Keep it up!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@allen7136]

First time hearing about using a damp pad. I like the idea and will need to try. However I have loads of compounds and polishes from rupees and sonax, can I still use the damp pad method? If so after washing the pad with the bucket cleaner how would I place the polish as it’s not able to be sprayed?

[@diydetailofficial]

It works with every polish. Apply as you normally would.

[@peeweeacres]

Will the rotary be sold as a kit with Gold standard polish and 3 pad system.

[@diydetailofficial]

Eventually

[@MrLaynee]

Nice.....Are those machines going to be available in 220v 50hz?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, eventually.

[@17Rxri]

Noticed the conversation about the very minimal difference between just the wool pad and the wool and jeweling pad. Could you theoretically do a one step with the wool pad only? Would this leave haze/light swirls under pin lights? Thanks!

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes many detailers use it as a one step pad

[@17Rxri]

@@diydetailofficial Thank you! Will definitely give it a try on the family car as the distributor in my country still doesn’t have the red pads available.

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@davidb5220]

Is the rotary going to be available late March as well? I’m in the market at the moment for a flex rotary but I can Waite

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, both will be available at the same time

[@davidb5220]

Awesome, looks like I’ll Waite it out thank you

[@border056]

If you had to get only one polisher, which one would you get? I want to do a slight pain enhancement on my new car before doing a stack. No swirls or scratches on the paint. Only micro marring from the dealer when they did their new car “detail”

[@diydetailofficial]

In that case any polisher will do, including a simple palm sander.

[@BXGreen]

A lot of polishers need the grease replaced right away to give it a good grease. Will DIY s need this or is it coming with a descent grease?

[@diydetailofficial]

We have both the proper grade and quantity of grease.

[@Redrunnerdetail1323]

When I cut with the wool pad can I use the yellow pad on the DA too finish ?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@dbchomes1934]

Do you guys know when you will be restocked? I have watched a few of your videos and wanted to order some products but a bunch are out of stock

[@diydetailofficial]

By next week 95% of our products will be back

[@Greg_P611]

Best panel prep on the earth - Windex

[@diydetailofficial]

lol

[@SLW_GT2]

For those of us with only a DA, what would the process look like? Would there be any differences we should use?

[@diydetailofficial]

Same process.

[@redsvette]

Will the yellow pad system workwith Griots Grage G9 or otner 8mm polishers?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@elitear618]

why would you want to use yellow or red after using wool, if you get better finish after using the red, is are there any reason to use yellow then, only for 1 stage ?

[@diydetailofficial]

For a 2 stage wool followed by red is best. For single use the gold.

[@JustS0meNO0b]

also about panel prep, cant you make 10-15% ipa solution instead?

[@diydetailofficial]

No

[@Zcamm]

So you dont recommend using the acetone windex mix as a panel prep?

[@diydetailofficial]

Last resort

[@kavionebrown4615]

So would it be better if I cut with a DA and finish with a palm sander because I don’t have a rotary

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@TFUMEAN2]

What are you washing the pads with? Is it water and soap?

[@diydetailofficial]

DIY Detail Rinseless Wash

[@G00B4LIFE]

How often are you cleaning the pads during polishing?

[@diydetailofficial]

Every time you want to add polish.

[@JesusHernandez-gp1vn]

Can you polish and remove scratches even if you have ceramic coating on it already?

[@diydetailofficial]

No

[@bengalmassacer]

Hey guys, I was wondering... I recently did a full detail ceramic application wash, but I forgot to clay... should I redo the process? Or will it be ok?

[@diydetailofficial]

If you are happy with the results, no need.

[@Sean-ij3mi]

I couldn't find the knee pad seat on your sight, can you provide a link?

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s a prototype

[@ganfija2383]

Please tell me about the seats you are using :).

[@diydetailofficial]

A prototype we are developing.

[@ayasir1956]

HI, Yasir from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia here. What stool is that? Looks good for me, as I'm focused more on motorbikes / scooters hehe.

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s a prototype Yvan is designing. Stay tuned.

[@ayasir1956]

@@diydetailofficial thanks for the quick reply. I hope it'll be affordable to import into Malaysia, as the current exchange rate is ..... RM 4.79 for USD 1.00 ahah, where as in the past, RM 3.50 for USD 1.00.

[@qualitykings3609]

Where did you get or what is the name of that rolling seat?

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s a prototype we are working on.

[@jont5320]

What speed would you recommend for a 9mm throw?

[@diydetailofficial]

Speed 3-4 on the dial

[@ken_kronhaus_photography]

Would be great if you could design a polisher that can do both DA and Rotary!

[@diydetailofficial]

It exists, but at best it’s a compromise.

[@sturam1500]

Could the cut and polish be done with just the rotary? I dont have a DA.

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@rb8946]

@diydetialofficial How would you do the cut with rotary? Still the same low speed but with a more aggressive pads? Or speed the machine up for the first stage correction? :) I ask because I’m trying to decide if I should buy the rotary or the DA as I currently don’t have a polisher

[@luizalberto7698]

Do you guys anything to polish aluminum chrome wheels?

[@diydetailofficial]

We do not have a metal polish yet.

[@dominic24332]

Can u use a hand sand machine with a woolpad

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@dominic24332]

I have a acura rdx , should a use a waffle pad or a woolpad to remove the little swirl

[@warwickchaseling1451]

What's the contraption you guys are using to kneel on ?

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s a prototype we are working on.

[@abelcable798]

What is the purpose of starting off with the wool and then the other pad

[@diydetailofficial]

The wool is more agressive, it removes the defects, the foam gives a better finish

[@dougswist7547]

Do you cut and polish the glass also?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@andrewgilbert7221]

where can we buy the DA from ? nothing showing on your website

[@diydetailofficial]

It will be available at the end of March.

[@andrewgilbert7221]

@@diydetailofficial what will the cost be roughly?

[@diydetailofficial]

$299

[@user-tg3gv6ty9v]

Let’s go!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thank you.

[@GoTMLGo1967]

Could you polish the car, the night before, let it sit over night because it’s been a long day, and use panel prep the next day and coat the car?

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@topherchris3469]

So you dint need to wipe away polish between passes? Say if youre doing a 2 step and not worried about removing every scratch

[@diydetailofficial]

No need

[@kendrickcontent]

Where are you located? Do you offer services to customers vehicles?

[@diydetailofficial]

Omaha Nebraska. When we film content, yes we take in customers vehicles.

[@JustS0meNO0b]

how do you polish glass and why?

[@diydetailofficial]

We Polish is as we do the paint. The reason is for deep cleaning.

[@deepclean5335]

Use same polish for cut and polish

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes

[@burb17]

Was this recorded from inside Alcatraz?

[@diydetailofficial]

Our new soon to be renovated shop

[@chrissemsch8781]

I learnt my lesson with the paint line when doing the “piano blacks” on the door. Never again. Now I open one door and take my pics and show the side by side with the other door. After pics I do the other door. No line on the same panel

[@diydetailofficial]

True.

[@Chrisjones-qi5xq]

Where can I get that stool from?

[@diydetailofficial]

Coming soon

[@Chrisjones-qi5xq]

@@diydetailofficial make it big man friendly to lol

[@diydetailofficial]

@Chrisjones-qi5xq it is, EC Details has one of the prototypes

[@maryhoffman2547]

I think the time is wrong. Still cant wait!

[@diydetailofficial]

Thanks Mary, time is fixed

[@Rabbit.760]

I want that pad cleaner but damn it's hard commiting to pay 160 bucks for a fancy 5 gallon bucket 😅

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s much more than a fancy bucket

[@Rabbit.760]

@@diydetailofficial ya it's a pad cleaner made out of a 5 gallon bucket... for 160 bucks

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s a tool that increases your efficiency, quality, and increases pad life.

[@JP-ro2yi]

When you're cutting with the DA why not turn it up to the highest speed?

[@jeremya2871]

Because you don't want to create heat and swell the paint. So low and slow for the win.

[@JP-ro2yi]

@@jeremya2871 isnt it hard to burn the paint with a free spinning DA? Watch mike philips and he uses the flex beast and it is a gear driven dual action polisher and he goes at full speed. It allows quicker passes and gets the job done faster.

[@JP-ro2yi]

Have you ever seen mike philips polish paint? He turns it up to 6 so he can make faster passes and get the job done faster. He and yvan are way different in the way they do things though.

[@diydetailofficial]

The machine that Mike uses is a short stroke gear driven machine. It requires high speed to do any work. With a long stroke machine you get significantly more cut with less effort on your part. The goal in Paint correction is to not create heat.

[@deepclean5335]

Cutting with the wool pad don’t wipe just go ahead and Second step polish adding more polish

[@diydetailofficial]

Correct

[@deepclean5335]

I didn’t see any 3”’ polisher

[@diydetailofficial]

No need

[@kennythomsonjr5553]

Your blue polishers looked very similar to "Car Shield" polishers

[@diydetailofficial]

Yes, we were testing them.

[@davecrawford4964]

Why not a 5 year followed by the 3?

[@diydetailofficial]

That works

[@fabricioandrade8160]

Why clean the pad BEFORE using? Isn't it already clean?

[@diydetailofficial]

To moisten it

[@fabricioandrade8160]

What's the point on moisten foam?

[@ronayotte3571]

Yvan did the cutting, Nick did the polishing and Sylvie did the camera work! I see that Yvan's pronunciation of the word "process" is rubbing off on Nick!

[@diydetailofficial]

Correct

[@alexbryan7641]

I’m really surprised the polisher is yellow & not red & black lol must’ve not wanted it to look like a Milwaukee lol

[@diydetailofficial]

The gold standard.

[@alexbryan7641]

@@diydetailofficial lol gotcha

[@louislabush4442]

Can you switch with the 3 inch backing plate?

[@andrewburke612]

I was thinking of buying a polisher, but then he said it was made in China...

[@diydetailofficial]

It’s assembled in China from Chinese parts as opposed to assembled in ( insert country of choice) from Chinese parts.

[@DaddyoftheMack]

You lost me at "beautiful Chevy Spark"

[@diydetailofficial]

Lol

[@null__void]

“How to remove scratches after you follow DIY’s advice for using brushes on paint”

[@diydetailofficial]

Once you try a quality brush designed for it, you will see they don’t scratch

[@null__void]

⁠@@diydetailofficialuse one on an unblemished black Mazda paint surface and post a before and after HQ picture if you’re so confident. I’m telling you, it can’t not leave marks. Microfiber even leaves marks.

[@rooboy99]

Mate, if u dont like the content, there's tons of other detailing channels. Even ones that get paid lots and lots of money to showcase crap products. Dont let the door hit you on the way out

[@Anton99997]

Your name is so fitting for you@@null__void.

[@rooboy99]

​@@null__voidfind me a black mazda with unblemished paint and ill find you an honest politician.