Question about Polishes and Compounds

A

Alexaris

New member
I was wondering, when you use this products, do you apply them just in one panel, or just in the place that need it or in the whole car



Compunds (Let say DACP or 3M PI III compound)

1) One Panel

2) Only in Places

3) Whole Car



Strong Polishes (Med. PC or Mz Ip or 3M PI machine glaze)

1) One Panel

2) Only in Places

3) Whole Car



Light Polishes (Let say AIO, Mz FP or SMR)

1) One Panel

2) Only in Places

3) Whole Car



Glazes
 
Compounds: I would say that my daily driver gets a complete detail every 6-8 months. That includes compounding any areas that need it. If there are no surface imperfections to take care of, I won't compound the area. When I first get my hands on a car to detail, it usually needs work all over...so I'll do the whole car, but if there are areas that are in good shape, I'll leave them alone.



If I compound, I always follow with another lighter polish. Even when using DACP or IP, which often leave "ready-to-wax" surfaces, the perfectionist inside me forces me to use products like SFP. Also, if there is some surface marring that can be taken care of with SFP as opposed to DACP or the like, then great! I usually apply the SFP to the whole car, just because all of the cars I get need at least that. Again, if there was a panel on the car that didn't need it, I wouldn't do it.



I'm not a huge Klasse man, so this is usually where I would use No. 3 Machine Glaze or something like that. Yes, the whole car gets this treatment. I'm not repairing anything at this point, just bringing out the best shine I can. At this point, the suface of the paint should be as close to perfect as I can get, this is just "beauty enhancement". And I always follow it up with a good wax.



Cliff Notes: Compounds: 2 Strong Polish: 2 Light Polish: 3 Glazes: 3
 
Personally, I started with my cars by testing with SMR on spots around the car. This was strong enough for most of my Audi, so I continued to do the whole car with SMR. Some problem areas, like the trunk and hood, I did panel polishing with 3M Fine Cut. My Sentra didn't seem affected by SMR, so I went with 3M Fine Cut on the whole thing and now I can SMR as needed. I use AIO everywhere for both cars.
 
Compounds and polishes are "use as needed" products. If the whole car needs something, then use it. :nixweiss



Some very light or finishing products like AIO and glazes should probably used on the whole car regardless though.
 
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