How to do a good polishing and polishing with a foam pad?

Polish with foam pad, foam mop or polishing pad It is not a task that requires a lot of money or a specialization to achieve it. It just takes a little dedication, following the guidelines, and you will get good results.

We will describe the steps to follow to achieve a shiny car, like new, in a few hours.

Choosing the right foam pad for this task

First of all, it is important that the car is well washed, removing any residual dirt with soap and water or car shampoo, this in order to be able to work with certainty in the areas where you have to dedicate a little more work. Preferably find a shady place and do not let the car dry out.

It is also recommended:

• Cover the areas that are not going to be treated and what surrounds them, since polishing is a process that stains a lot.
• Use pad of foam or softer pads on dark cars as they are a bit more sensitive to marks.

When choosing the foam pad suitable for treating a car it is important to be certain of the depth of the damage.

If the surface has shallow scratches you can use a foam pad cutting, which has a greater intensity and capacity to go where others cannot.

Now if the damage is medium, you can use a mid-cut foam pad, which is a little softer and can pull out those streaks with ease.

If the paint has only smudges and slight marks, with a soft pad you can treat the area and get a good finish soon.

You may have to use different types of pads, since surely not all the exterior of the car will be the same and in some places more work is required than in others.

In addition to choosing the foam pad, it is also important to choose the waxes or foams according to their function:

If necessary sanding, it must be taken into account that it is a very careful job, since misuse can ruin the treated area and it will be necessary to paint the entire area.

Choose an ultra-fine sandpaper, grit 1500 or higher, and gently pass it over the surface, taking care not to damage the paint.

There are many varieties of products and pads on the market that can avoid the use of sandpaper and obtain a similar result.:

• Focused sanding: in these cases you can use a sandpaper pad or a pad with separation foam to cushion sanding and make it smoother.
• Polished: This is where large paint defects such as scratches or orange peel are removed, preferably using a circular polisher for faster results.
• Heavy polishing: a more abrasive compound is used, it serves to eliminate scratches with greater depth.
• Intermediate cloths: They are used to level remaining imperfections, such as those left by a coarse polishing cloth

Double-sided mid-cut foam pad

Polishing and polishing with foam pad: Step by step

As mentioned above, it is important wash well the car and do not let it dry when starting work.

The steps to polish and polish with a foam pad are:

1. Once the foam pad to use depending on the state of the car, put it in the polisher and apply a small amount of polish to the sponge.
2. Spread the polish at medium speed over the surface. Keep the pad of foam Parallel to the surface of the car so as not to cause swirl marks.
3. Apply constant pressure and work back and forth across the entire area.
4. As the surface begins to warm to the touch, the streaks will begin to fade.
5. The polish and water will be absorbed by the pad, this is where the change in the car will begin to be visible. It is advisable for this part to always keep the area moist and use enough polish for each section.
6. During this process it will be necessary to stop and rinse the pad with plenty of water to prevent it from becoming saturated with polish or gumming up.
7. The outer edge of the pad moves faster, generating more friction and using less polish than the rest of the sponge, therefore use this part of the pad in areas such as emblems, mirrors and complex areas.
8. After using the foam pad In each area, wash and rinse the car with plenty of water, then dry it well.
9. Proceed to apply a coat of wax to the paint, which will help to polish the car by eliminating possible swirl marks and holograms, this will cover most of the imperfections.
10. Lay out a soft pad and apply a layer of paste wax. Use the car polisher at medium speed while you spread the wax throughout the body.
11. Spread the wax with light but constant pressure back and forth throughout the car. It only leaves material to create a waxy haze that becomes visible when dry.
12. While the wax dries, clean all areas of the car, such as the Windows, the interiors and the trunk. Then remove the wax with a microfiber towel. Do not use washcloths or rags that can damage the surface.
13. Take the car to a sunny spot for a final inspection.

It is important to polish the car frequently so that your exterior will last longer as new.

Manual gloss foam pad

Some final recommendations:

• When polishing, it is important not to exceed 3000 revolutions per minute, as this speed is very high and can damage the bodywork.
• Always use polishing fluid, as the effect will be of better quality and longer lasting.
• When finishing polishing and polishing it is important to remove all types of wax, paste or dirt and let it dry in the shade.

With a little care, you can protect the surface of your car against such external damages, such as dents, scratches and cracks, just with frequent polishing and buffing.