noob - polishing questions

[yas]

Hi,

I understand that polishing can remove thin layer of clear coat.

If polishing a small area, even if the scratch is diminished, how can the entire paint look smooth?

I mean that, wouldn't there be a 'crater' around the area that was polished, vs. area outside it which was not polished? something like a water spot that etched paint?

 

[budman3]

You are removing very little clear coat and you will not be able to tell where you polished or where you haven't other than removing a fine scratch. You are only removing like less than .0001 of and inch and that is very small but I guess if you magnify it a lot you'll be able to tell where you did infact polish.

 

[Brenton]

As Budman said, the difference is ridiculously small.
When polishing, you diminish the clear coat, leveling the scratches to the surrounding area. That is why I always say to take the least aggressive approach possible.
An aggressive polishing does well, but leaves scratches behind, and some marring often enough. Followed with less and less aggressive polishing, just like finishing wood, the scratches get smaller and smaller until there is no "human-eye" difference and you get a fine to excellent finish.