How are you removing compound/polish? Any tips?

Scott@IncrediblyDetailed

Scott@IncrediblyDetailed

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Are you guys wiping it off right after each section? Buffing the whole car and wiping it off? Leaving it on and washing it off? If waiting and re-washing the car, what soap are you using? Do you have to scrub? .....?

I need to find a better process for removing polish, it's driving me crazy.
 
With what I normally use... M105 and M205 I do one section at a time.

M205 is VERY easy to remove as is M105 if one doesn't let it flash and or doesn't use too much product.
 
I remove it immediately after the buffing cycle is done. Some products will be easier to remove and some will be trickier. It also depends on the type of paint you are qorking on as well.
 
Wipe off after each section. Used WG Finishing Glaze yesterday and removal so ridiculously easy as it Menz FG400
 
custmsprty said:
Wipe off after each section. Used WG Finishing Glaze yesterday and removal so ridiculously easy as it Menz FG400
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:iagree:Wolfgang polishes are easier to remove than some waxes! I couldn't imagine buffing a whole car, then removing residue! Any polish will be problematic if let to dry on the paint.
 
I wipe it right after my section is done. My current car is very prone to do marring when I wipe polish \ compound (even with 70\30 towel) so I usually use Meguiars M34 Final Inspection to help wipe off my completed section.
 
In the past, I wiped of one section at a time, but now I'll usually do about half the car and do a wipe down.

MF pads have forced me to work very clean and apply less product, making it super easy to remove D300, D301, M105 and M205 (and hopefully d302 in the future. I'm super excited).
If MF pads get too hot or water logged, they start baking the products onto the paint like cement. Like someone else already mentioned, m105 should nearly flash off imo, if it's leaving a heavy, hard to remove film, something is wrong.
 
Wipe after each section. I was using M105/M205 combo but don't like the dusting and can be hard to wipe. Gonna tryout Wolfgang Uber, Swirl Remover & Finishing Glaze 3.0 next...
 
for polish and compound, wipe off after each section , quick spray with IPA...
 
Scott@IncrediblyDetailed said:
Are you guys wiping it off right after each section? Buffing the whole car and wiping it off? Leaving it on and washing it off? If waiting and re-washing the car, what soap are you using? Do you have to scrub? .....?

I need to find a better process for removing polish, it's driving me crazy.
Click to expand...

Your asking a variety of questions, and you will get a variety of different answers because everyone uses different products/techniques. Perhaps a better approach to this would be this....follow the products instructions.

I can think of any brand of polish/compound that specifically states to leave the product on. Lets take a step back and focus on technique here. Using too much compound/polish will cause it to cake up and create a huge hassle for you once your ready to remove it. Not to mention its a waste of product. Using the right type of towel to remove the compound/polish is also very important. Finally, using a cleaner will not only aid in helping you remove compound/polish residue, but it will also give you a clear indication of the paints condition by removing oils that often mask potential swirls.

1. Use the right ammount of product.
2. Use the right microfiber towel.
3. Select a good paint cleanser.

Assuming your a professional, technique shouldnt be an issue for you, but I take it your still new to detailing, so I will fill you in. Contrary to popular belief, quality microfiber towels CAN and will scratch your paint if used incorrectly when removing compound/polish. Be gentle when removing the compound. More often than not, many detailers like to go crazy and tend to "scrub" the polish away instead of gently wiping it off. Change towels often, because the compounding/polishing granules will condense and have the potential to micro marr the paint you just spent your time perfecting.

If you follow the basic 3 steps I mentioned above, you will have no problem removing any brand compound/polish. Unless your using M105....stay away from M105 :)
 
CM8 6MT said:
Your asking a variety of questions, and you will get a variety of different answers because everyone uses different products/techniques. Perhaps a better approach to this would be this....follow the products instructions.

I can think of any brand of polish/compound that specifically states to leave the product on. Lets take a step back and focus on technique here. Using too much compound/polish will cause it to cake up and create a huge hassle for you once your ready to remove it. Not to mention its a waste of product. Using the right type of towel to remove the compound/polish is also very important. Finally, using a cleaner will not only aid in helping you remove compound/polish residue, but it will also give you a clear indication of the paints condition by removing oils that often mask potential swirls.

1. Use the right ammount of product.
2. Use the right microfiber towel.
3. Select a good paint cleanser.

Assuming your a professional, technique shouldnt be an issue for you, but I take it your still new to detailing, so I will fill you in. Contrary to popular belief, quality microfiber towels CAN and will scratch your paint if used incorrectly when removing compound/polish. Be gentle when removing the compound. More often than not, many detailers like to go crazy and tend to "scrub" the polish away instead of gently wiping it off. Change towels often, because the compounding/polishing granules will condense and have the potential to micro marr the paint you just spent your time perfecting.

If you follow the basic 3 steps I mentioned above, you will have no problem removing any brand compound/polish. Unless your using M105....stay away from M105 :)
Click to expand...

Long time no see!
 
CM8 6MT said:
Your asking a variety of questions, and you will get a variety of different answers because everyone uses different products/techniques. Perhaps a better approach to this would be this....follow the products instructions.

I can think of any brand of polish/compound that specifically states to leave the product on. Lets take a step back and focus on technique here. Using too much compound/polish will cause it to cake up and create a huge hassle for you once your ready to remove it. Not to mention its a waste of product. Using the right type of towel to remove the compound/polish is also very important. Finally, using a cleaner will not only aid in helping you remove compound/polish residue, but it will also give you a clear indication of the paints condition by removing oils that often mask potential swirls.

1. Use the right ammount of product.
2. Use the right microfiber towel.
3. Select a good paint cleanser.

Assuming your a professional, technique shouldnt be an issue for you, but I take it your still new to detailing, so I will fill you in. Contrary to popular belief, quality microfiber towels CAN and will scratch your paint if used incorrectly when removing compound/polish. Be gentle when removing the compound. More often than not, many detailers like to go crazy and tend to "scrub" the polish away instead of gently wiping it off. Change towels often, because the compounding/polishing granules will condense and have the potential to micro marr the paint you just spent your time perfecting.

If you follow the basic 3 steps I mentioned above, you will have no problem removing any brand compound/polish. Unless your using M105....stay away from M105 :)
Click to expand...

Great advice Aaron.

Can't wait to see you try your hand at the Menzerna lineup.
 
I wipe each section to check my work and then when I'm done Polish the whole car I use Menz top inspection or IPA wipe down to clean off any polish residue left over. I sometimes give the cars a foam wash then dry and seal.
 
Everyone I believe wipes off after each section. To leave it on the car like and polish through it with another polish when your finished like one company has recommended in the past scares the crap out of me. That's the only other technique I've ever seen recommended.

Polish is sticky, and any airborne particles or flying by bugs could get stuck in it. It may scratch or may not, but it just sounds like a bad technique to me unless your working in a clean room.

If its hard to remove, it usually means you used too much. However, Eraser or Rustoleum Wax and Tar remover can help remove it.
 
After each section,not only is it easier to wipe off but I get to inspect each section after I'm done for any defects I may have missed.
 
Great points made:dblthumb2:


swanicyouth said:
Everyone I believe wipes off after each section. To leave it on the car like and polish through it with another polish when your finished like one company has recommended in the past scares the crap out of me. That's the only other technique I've ever seen recommended.

Polish is sticky, and any airborne particles or flying by bugs could get stuck in it. It may scratch or may not, but it just sounds like a bad technique to me unless your working in a clean room.

If its hard to remove, it usually means you used too much. However, Eraser or Rustoleum Wax and Tar remover can help remove it.
Click to expand...
 
For compounds, especially if you're having problems removing the residue, I'll use terry cloth as the larger, more stout nap or "loop" of the cloth helps to slice into and remove the compound. Any toweling marks are a non-issue as the next polishing step will remove them.

If I'm not going to do a second polishing step then I'd stick with the softer, more gentle to the paint microfiber.

And "yes" remove after each section buffed or each panel buffed. If you remove immediately after buffing while the film is still wet the wetness acts as a lubricant to help remove the product. This applies more to polishes than compounds.


Dr. G shared a tip with me at SEMA that was so obvious that it should have smacked me upside my head years ago...


:)
 
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