Ok, stupid questions. Does using a buffer actually take off paint or how does it remove swirls?

Also, the polishes that say they remove minor scratches. How? Do they remove a little paint, or simply fill the hole or what?

Thnx and sry for the stupid questions

 

When you apply wax or paint sealant to a vehicle, you want to "dab" an applicator (cloth-covered foam bar) or rag, that is wet with the wax or sealant, onto the paint. You apply the applicator/rag directly down onto the paint, with no pressure; not in "straight lines" or in circular motions, and not with any pressure. This is where you are creating swirl marks, because of your application method.

After you've covered all painted surfaces, and the wax/sealant has dried, you use a soft cotton diaper/terry cloth or microfiber towel to lightly rub-off the wax. If you apply pressure at this stage, you will cause swirl marks as well.

 

My shop charges $150 for a full exterior detail on a car (more for larger vehicles and finishes requiring extra attention), and that includes a wash and vacuum, clay-bar, machine buffing and polishing, and then apply a high-quality polymer paint sealant to protect your finish.

Our shop does phenomenal work, however, I'd recommend that you have a fellow i-Club member such as Freddie (1WRX2NV) detail your vehicle. Freddie also paints cars as well, and is very knowledgeable.

David

 

Buffing/Rubbing/Polishing/Cleaning compounds generally work in the same way:

They come in varying composition depending on how scratched the surface is, and they polish the scratches out of the clear-coat layer, which is on top of the actual colored "paint".

You can only buff and wet-sand vehicles so far:

Once the clear coat is thin, you cannot buff or sand it any further without burning the paint, or completely removing the clear-coat layer.