Polishing Basics: How I Suggest You Should Start

I believe there is a progression to most things in life. I learned a valuable lesson testing pressure washers at all price points. In doing all of that testing, I was able to ask myself, "Knowing what I now know, what would be acceptable to me at different stages in life?" We rarely get to start out with $3000 worth of stuff to polish a car, so "What would I accept?" I've put that package together with a grouping of products that would have been magical to have when I first started. I feel like it's my duty to help you get started on your progression.
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[@Smigeons]

My buddies have been asking me a lot of detailing questions lately, particularly polishing. This video couldn't have come at a better time, instant share with them. Love the work, Matt & the gang 👍👍

[@levelbest6142]

Thanks for making this. “Just move some frickin’ stuff on the paint” is honestly some of the best advice I’ve come across. Going from 0 to 1 was the hardest part, and Matt’s wisdom was a shove I needed. Fellahs, if it’s your first time ever polishing paint (like it was for me), don’t wait until conditions are absolutely perfect or you’ll never do it. If the paint is reasonably prepped, and you’re using reasonably good gear, with basic techniques, I promise you will be amazed at the results. It’s so easy to overthink and overanalyze this stuff. Don’t get lost in the sauce. Just go for it

[@lsaichai]

Thanks for making an updated video for those just starting out or wanting to know the latest budget OG solutions. I remember the S2000 days !

[@keithcee6378]

I love the fact that you’re giving this tutorial especially geared towards the novice polishers such as myself, and what a treat to see it done on a car that I own as well! Thanks homie…🙏🏼

[@Fyane004]

For a set of reasons, it had the possibility to invest almost 15 thousand dollars in materials, equipment and things like that during the pandemic. I resigned from my old job to dedicate myself to this. My deceased father left me a workshop, which I am remodeling little by little, looking for a controlled environment, to give a probable clientele a good result. Infinite thanks for having made this video. It's a joy for an apprentice like me. Greetings, and my respects from Chile.

[@Brandonscode]

I have polished a lot of cars. (Not well, but better then it was) I have so much respect for videos like this. I don’t think learning ever stops. And I’m so happy to learn from a pro on the industry.

[@alanfriedlander1423]

Fantastic demonstration

[@Vince32.]

Enjoyed this alot. It's given me the confidence to take that step and give it a try. Thanks Matt.

[@ObsessedGarage]

It's a big step, but it's not as difficult of a task as some make it out to be.

[@boostedfools]

I'm about to polish for the first time so this video is very helpful - still waiting on my Sonax Perfect Finish to come in from OG though!

[@johnmccolgan2177]

Just watched you from Ireland. Really enjoyed your straightforward directions. You've really simplified the polishing stage's. Great video. Thanks for making it. I've just subscribed so looking forward to future content. All the best.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Carlos.Rivera]

Fast Correcting cream + Perfect Finish is reliable combo you could use on any paint.

[@Ricky_R]

This is great info. I would have loved for this video to have been available when I was first starting out. Young kids take note!

[@coastalrider1155]

Ave been machine polishing for years and still watched start to finish lol 😂

[@patxx1167]

hello, I should have discovered your site a long time ago so I wouldn't have bought a lot of junk for nothing, keep up the good work, you are really one of the best here who explains well and says the real things, and sorry for my English I take a translator friendly pat

[@SNieX0]

Thank you Matt

[@Isaiah_Keith]

I was just considering doing my own polishing on my very marred and water spotted Camaro. I don’t have the money at the moment, but I can’t wait to get it done.

[@petebrandstrom1038]

Very nice video. I don’t have many of the small specialized tools. Use what I have. Have the 5” and 3”. Looking for a smoother 5” and replace my foam pads. And I appreciate my job when I am done, not square by square. On another note, when you sneezed the first words out of my mouth - “God bless you”.

[@fps4506]

Thanks Matt! Perfect timing as I prepare to spend the weekend in my OG equipped garage polishing my car and coating it with CSL and EXO V5. I been watching your old polishing videos as a refresher course.

[@davidboyce6427]

This is a version of Matt that’s a fun side and happy. My first time seeing you.. Matt was SEMA 2022 when you Vlog your daily events at various booths. Man you were in such a euphoric state👀👌..

[@zbaier1]

Matt this was perfect timing! My dad and I are going to do his car this weekend and it will be our first time polishing. I bought all the things you used in the video and am very entry level. We don't have a compressor like you mentioned but I think we're going to buy one before the weekend so we can keep the whole process moving quickly.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Having a compressor ready will make prepping and cleaning your pads a lot easier.

[@m.t.02]

whats the min gallon and cfm a compressor should have for all around work? I'm limited on space@@ObsessedGarage

[@matickers669]

No lights, no fancy things... Just basics stuff is the way to start. This was good advice for a beginner, looking to enter the world of polishing. With time you develop and then all the other fancy things come along.

[@Tonybologne805]

Started w/ Pan but stuck w/ Fran. Will always be aspired to own a great polisher one day to de-nerd my 145 hp Hyundai Elantra

[@279gax]

Thanks for the video! I wish I would have had the opportunity to watch, learn, and purchase the "correct" tools a few years ago after I started to take on weekend detailing for my cars. Fortunately I've learned over time and have built up my toolkit based on your guidance (Rupes 5", Flex 3"). Perhaps on the next video in this series you can mention how to prep the car prior to polishing (wash, OG decon wash, iron remover, clay (difference between TRC clay towel, AutScrub, traditional clar bar).

[@ObsessedGarage]

That's awesome that you've been able to figure it out on your own. I did a video going over the decon process on my Evo 8. You should check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmi6l6Rsm92diKs&ab

[@donaldgreen9292]

My start was Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, Ultimate polish and Ultimate paste wax. Did it all by hand and had no clue about what I was really doing, just enjoyed the process. I got a nephew I spent a few hours of teaching the basics. He has an old mid 90s BMW with trashed out paint and clear coat peeled of heavily. I wish I would of had my rotary with me, I could have gave a better shine in the areas that was just paint without clear. I also took him to a Mopar show, car show, swap meet, and drag racing. I learned on ugly and unwanted vehicles.

[@dtna]

I started with Meg's twenty years ago before they were purchased by 3M. These days, I've moved on to a cordless RUPES and Koch Chemie products to polish my cars. Hard paint is a little harder to correct than soft paint.

[@timblack33]

I enjoyed watching this, even though I’m a good bit more advanced in equipment now thankfully. I would be surprised if anyone taking this on didn’t have an air compressor even if it was just a cheap one from harbor freight. Then again you know far more about this market segment than I ever will. Thanks for providing a wealth of knowledge to everyone not just your customers. It’s my opinion that even if OG is a couple dollars more on an item, videos and support make it beyond worth it.

[@ObsessedGarage]

A majority of people who are just starting out won't have a compressor. They will get the polisher, pads, a few towels and the compound.

[@zbaier1]

Matt's right, I'm entry level and bought all the things Matt said to in this video and I don't have a compressor. Looking at buying a small 6 gallon one though soon!

[@timblack33]

@@zbaier1 I never doubted the master! I based my assumption off of my diy detailing acquaintances with their loud Ass harbor freight compressors that always seem to be running while I’m trying to talk over them and know they would have been much better served waiting to purchase one as well.

[@555fourthstreet8]

@@timblack33 tell your friend an easy solution would be to build a small closet type thing for his compressor or he can purchase a storage cabinet. Will cut the noise down tremendously.

[@mak259]

Matt, great tips and video, definitely one of the most helpful videos on paint correction I've seen.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Awesome, thank you!

[@kbraap1]

I’ve been thinking about buying shine mate polishers to start! Just wanna add some upgrade parts and it’s all I need for now

[@ObsessedGarage]

Don’t buy anything from Shinemate. It’s just Chinese rip off stuff.

[@swift__]

Great video 🤜🏻🤛🏻 ( great water spot tip👌🏻 ) would you compound the whole car then finish, or compound followed by finish after each area you do. Ex: how you did with the trunk, or was that just for example of how each are done?

[@ObsessedGarage]

The trunk was just an example. Realistically you will first want to do the whole car with a cutting compound, before proceeding with polish.

[@alau0115]

Matt, great video. I wonder what is the brand name of the detailing cart/trolley in the video? Will it be available on the OG store? Love the modular design and the fact that it has round corners and bumpers. I wonder why no one considered that before.

[@ObsessedGarage]

It's the Tool Trolley Assistent from Hazet.

[@alau0115]

@@ObsessedGarageThanks Matt.

[@frankcastaldi2531]

Thanks for this, I wanna cost my car but haven’t done it cause I’m afraid to polish it. Feel like I can do it now.

[@ryanazevedo2237]

What would you recconmend for interior polishing?

[@c6manny]

Thank you for the video! If a beginner desired a single stage of polishing prior to waxing/coating and did not want to “cut” the amount of clear that fast correcting cream does, would you recommend sonax perfect finish or another polish that maybe falls in between these 2? I understand this would be sacrificing a bit of the correction process.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Sonax Perfect Finish would be the one you want. Keep in mind that you wouldn't be achieving nearly the same result as if you were to do the full process.

[@c6manny]

Thank you. Have you experienced using griots “correcting cream” as a single stage polish as opposed to the “fast correcting cream” as a 1 of 2 stages? It’s advertised as: Effectively eliminates moderate defects. Allows for extended buff cycles that won't dust out. Reveals a pristine, wax-ready finish. Thoughts on that product?

[@ObsessedGarage]

I think both Correcting and Fast Correcting can see a bunch of benefit from Finishing afterward.

[@brian76708]

Thanks for the great info! Have you tested out the Ryobi cordless polisher for a budget battery powered option?

[@ObsessedGarage]

I have no interest in the Ryobi.

[@brian76708]

Ha thanks for the honesty figure you might say that.

[@ronayotte3571]

I have the 1st generation Griot's G15 and 3 inch DA's. They have plenty of power and they back their products 100%.. It's not the polisher that makes one a better detailer, it is the skills they have.

[@speedslw]

Why not use the blue microfiber pad from Rupes? Its more coarse than the yellow and will cut faster. I'm sure you know what youre doing, I'm just curious why the yellow pad over the blue?

[@bigstickerperformance6670]

Thanks "Uncle Matt" 😁

[@nomad509]

I would definitely recommend two RUPES BigFoot Claw Pad Tools. One for spreading and another one for dedicated pad separation. This would ensure your polishers stay cleaner without the introduction of residue on the backing plate. Honestly for less than 20 bucks I wouldn't cheap out on this unless you are a total slob and don't care about tool care.

[@andrewg7678]

Does anyone know what Milwaukee cordless Matt is referring to if we have the coin?

[@jeffc6832]

A bucket of rinseless is a great option for cleaning pads without an air compressor. Take the pad off the machine, dunk it in the bucket, rub the face of the pad, squeeze it dry and then put it back on the machine. Spin dry at max speed below the lip of the bucket to keep from making a mess. I would also recommend wool pads for those just starting out, they stay a lot cooler and cause less micromarring than microfiber pads.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Great points!

[@petedetraglia4776]

The URO 50/50 pads work wonders with a 1 step compound like 3D One or Turtle Wax 1 and Done...I use a rotary and literally put no pressure on it at all and it cuts most swirl mark and light scratching quickly and easily. Maybe a finishing pad with some jeweling polish if you see a little hazing or have hard to please customers...

[@Enthusiast_detailing]

How does the g15 compare to the Milwaukee 15mm? Deciding between the 2

[@ObsessedGarage]

The simple fact that the Milwaukee polisher is completely battery powered makes it a winner for me. Both are very capable machines, but the Milwaukee gives you a greater amount of flexibility and doesn't limit you by being tethered to the wall.

[@Enthusiast_detailing]

What do you think about using griots perfecting cream

[@ObsessedGarage]

It's not bad.

[@StephenBrewer89]

I absolutely love this car.

[@555fourthstreet8]

The more I look at this griots it looks very similar to the shine mate polisher doesn’t it? I can see both have some rupes-ness in them.

[@ObsessedGarage]

I could see a resemblance in some ways. But I wouldn't go as far as saying they're identical.

[@timbrown9731]

I liked the video

[@kimnewling5728]

Cool

[@cookeym1]

Should this fast correcting cream be used on a fairly new car where paint only has a couple of areas that have scratches?

[@ObsessedGarage]

This is best used as a more aggressive first step. Especially if the paint you're correcting has heavy swirling or is pretty beat up.

[@cookeym1]

@@ObsessedGarage thank you! I have a 2022 ford 2 door bronco that I got into a reck that got fixed but was left at body shop for 3 months, So I have only been driving this for about 2 or 3 months. So far, the car is really in good shape. Only issue is with the front of the hood - rocks put a couple small scratches that are deep and showing the white. That doesn’t look good. I was planning to use a paint correction pen then use griots correcting cream and so on from your video. . I was hoping to use the cream on this area and the rest of car I would use that finishing polish. Does this sound plausible?

[@uses0ap]

Can you do a review on "ShineMate EB210"

[@ObsessedGarage]

Shinemate is a ripoff of Rupes.

[@Kevinsdetailing305]

I wanna learn the difference between soft paint and hard paint and when to use a yellow pad or blue pad from rupes ! 😄

[@ObsessedGarage]

To answer your first question, a hard paint is difficult to correct, but once done is easier to maintain. A soft paint will be the opposite. For your second question, a yellow foam pad would be used for polishing, the blue microfiber pad is for cutting.

[@ac7384]

I know you had said in one your videos you don’t like paint gauges. How would one know how much clear coat is left on paint before polishing so don’t break through the clear coat. ?

[@ObsessedGarage]

A paint depth gauge is a guide at best, and a very inaccurate one. Even the $3500 Defelsko one I have is pretty useless.

[@ac7384]

@@ObsessedGarage what’s the best way to go about it. Then. Just be careful ?

[@moisesperez3693]

Does the G15 require a higher amperage? I got a G15 for Christmas, and I plugged it into the wall. It started fine, then got super slow. HELP

[@ObsessedGarage]

The G15 polisher has a 10amp motor.

[@doublesdetailer7709]

Can you blow out the polish from the pad with a pressure washer if you don't have compressed air? Not whilst on the polisher, and defo not connected to mains power. 😂.

[@ObsessedGarage]

You can to clean when finished, but not mid polishing.

[@orangemarley5086]

Question, I’ve heard Yvan’s logic regarding blowing out your pad. How do you feel about a pad washer instead of having multiple pads or blowing out your pad with compressed air?

[@ObsessedGarage]

Having multiple pads and an air compressor are going to be your best option.

[@timkinley1779]

You can by with three pads of each. Once the first one is spent (loaded up), clean it with Dawn Powerwash spray and warm water, throw it in the dryer, and repeat for each pad. You'll spend time stopping and starting instead of just plowing through. But three pads will allow you to keep going while the others are drying.

[@dtna]

How often do you clean your foam pads with air or a brush ?

[@AMP8424]

After every section pass you should blow out all the clear coat that's now in your pad.

[@ObsessedGarage]

For foam pads you'll want to blow it out every few passes. A microfiber pad you will need to do it more often.

[@WickedMoto]

did you ever live in IL and go to UTI back around 2007-2008?

[@ObsessedGarage]

I didn't.

[@M3_86]

Will this process work if the car is already coated and you want to redo everything?

[@ObsessedGarage]

Yes

[@M3_86]

@@ObsessedGarage thank you!

[@m.r.5719]

How much pressure do you put on the paint?

[@ObsessedGarage]

You just need a moderate amount of pressure. Enough to be able to work the polish into the paint, but not so much that you damage the surface.

[@Riverguide33]

👍

[@chewdoobautomotivedetailtm2883]

❤

[@gabrielmarin4593]

So is water spot remover part of the decon process now?

[@ObsessedGarage]

It's not.

[@petedetraglia4776]

@@ObsessedGarage I live in Upstate New York where we get heavy salt use for 3 months of the year...I need to use Iron and water spot remover to decon the car before my rotary ever touches the car...Sometimes even synthetic claying the car because customer here don't do anything to protect their paint 90% of them. Water spot etching is almost impossible to get out without doing heavy damage to the clear coat that is soft as shit on these newer cars and somewhere around 5mm thick...Most vehicle here I use the URO 50/50 pad with 3D One and then a finishing pad and polish to get the clarity, depth, and gloss level to over 95.

[@timbrown9731]

The one thing I notice is Matt is not putting any pressure on the machine when I first started out I would put my hand on the top of the machine, at that time I didn’t realize about heat, and that’s your enemy!

[@555fourthstreet8]

It mostly depends on the paint but in general you always want some amount of pressure on the tool especially when compounding. Would need less pressure when doing finishing polish.

[@petedetraglia4776]

@@555fourthstreet8 I use the URO 50/50 pad with 3D One with only the weight of my hand on the handle or body of my rotary and it cuts just fine for swirls and even light scratches. IF your putting pressure on the machine your pad/compound are not working well together to get the job done correctly and you'll be taking off way more clear coat than needed. I finish with a jeweling pad and jeweling finishing polish and the clarity, depth of paint, and detail in flake in the paint is amazing...Your lucky if there is 5mm of soft clear coat on most newer cars...I let the correct pad due the work and compounds that finish down get the paint close enough that a finishing polish completes the job quickly...

[@555fourthstreet8]

@@petedetraglia4776 I’m pretty sure new paint doesn’t have 5mm of clear. That’s a shit ton of material to work with. Also, I should have been more specific with regards to the difference between the use of rotary and dual action tools. Rotary would definitely cut faster and easier and prob wouldn’t require as much pressure as dual action would. As with many things in detailing there are different ways to go about obtaining similar results.

[@charliethesupebeagle]

I know you can’t do it on camera, but when you’re doing it on your own, do you wear a mask? Is breathing in clear coat a concern?

[@ObsessedGarage]

I might do something line that if I did it all day, but not as a hobby.

[@charliethesupebeagle]

@@ObsessedGarage thanks

[@elvisgonzalez7YT]

Is it okay to do the same process in a car that has been recently painted? Edit: I should explain, basically the paint shop polished my car and probably rushed it, not caring about the result, they probably used the same dirty pad for the whole car without cleaning it once, and I guess they did it with the paint not having enough time to cure, anyways, the end result is a decently slick paint full of swirls wich is definitely not acceptable and they did not want to take responsibility for it...

[@ObsessedGarage]

Yeah... They probably had no idea what they were doing. Do it yourself to make sure it's done right.

[@timkinley1779]

Painters aren't detailers and detailers aren't painters.

[@imjjl]

Wheres that cart from?

[@Fyane004]

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, stock was faster than the Supra, than the R32, faster than the Rx7, magnificent car

[@moisesperez3693]

CART not car...!!!! Lol

[@ObsessedGarage]

It's the Tool Trolley Assistent from Hazet.

[@timkinley1779]

@@moisesperez3693 Twice. On the reading comprehension.

[@ceerock8088]

👍👍👍👍

[@m.t.02]

what cart is that?

[@Fyane004]

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, a marvel

[@moisesperez3693]

CART not car... !!! Lol

[@Fyane004]

@@moisesperez3693 Sorry, jajaja

[@ObsessedGarage]

It's the Tool Trolley from Hazet.

[@muradomar5649]

MURAD form Toronto 🇨🇦👋👌🤘🏻

[@VassRulez]

Hey Matt, try the shinemate EB210. I think it’ll change your opinion about hybrids.

[@ObsessedGarage]

Shinemate is a RUPES and Flex I.P. theft company.

[@davechapman1371]

I wash my car with a sock and Dawn. Won Best in Show at the 3rd annual Dollar General Show & Shine Seriously, it’s hard to find a jumping off point with all the fantastic stuff available. I honestly don’t know how I could correct a car that wasn’t new. I’d just get it painted probably. Damn this channel is legit

[@marvindwallacesr3828]

You can a hole more with that product

[@555fourthstreet8]

Did you say you started polishing 20yrs ago?

[@ObsessedGarage]

Yes. Back in the early 2000's.

[@555fourthstreet8]

@@ObsessedGarage my mistake thought you had told us 2013 or 2014 before.

[@555fourthstreet8]

@@ObsessedGarageif you were to guess roughly how many vehicles do you think you have been able to correct since then? More or less than 25 or 30? Which one was the tough test to correct?

[@keninhb2196]

The early 2000's isn't that long ago.

[@ObsessedGarage]

The early 2000's was over 20 years ago.

[@AndrewTa530]

Flex is a way better polisher. Lifetime warranty and not made in China.

[@ObsessedGarage]

It’s also twice the cost.

[@Fyane004]

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