I know it is highly recommended to polish by machine but I'm still new to this and haven't purchased a machine polisher yet.
Completely understand. There was a time ALL of us worked by hand.
I would like to remove the old sealant - (probably six or seven months old) and at the same time try and remove some swirls and minor scratches from the paint on our Jeep.
Jeeps are tough to buff. Most of the time if someone asks me if I will detail their Jeep, (machine paint correction), I'll turn it down. Simply a whole of work due to all the various body panels. For this same reason, they are also somewhat easy to hand polish.
What polish would you recommend for this and what kind of pad for just hand polishing?
Here's the deal, there's a number of ways to skin this cat.
- Use a paint cleaner followed by some type of LSP.
- Use a dedicated polish followed by some type of LSP.
- Use a great AIO and clean, polish and seal the paint in one step.
If it were me? I'd opt for option 3 and use either BLACKFIRE One Step or 3D Speed. Both have the ability to remove swirls and scratches. Both will clean and polish the paint to restore a clear, high shine finish and both will leave the paint protected.
As for an applicator? These would work well, just keep them clean.
Mothers Ultra-Soft Microfiber Applicator Pads
When you hand polish do you use a straight line or circular motion
Here's something I say, so "yes" you can quote me on this,
If the product you're using is non-abrasive, that is - it's not putting scratches into the paint, then the direction you move your hand doesn't matter.
IF the product you're using IS putting scratches into the paint, you don't use a specific direction to move your hand - you stop using the product. -Mike Phillips
When I work by hand, I use an overlapping circular motion to spread my product out over the area I'm going to work and then I massage the product over the surface and then either continue using an overlapping circular motion or rub in straight lines in the direction of the length of the panel.
and lastly is a wipe down recommended after polishing and before applying a sealant and if so what product would you use?
No. I'm assuming, (and I hate to assume), but when you say, "is a wipe-down recommended" - you mean, after polishing, wiping the paint with IPA or some other solvent/panel wipe? That is to remove any residue from the first step process before moving onto the second step process.
The answer is "no". Not as long as you're using conventional waxes and/or sealants. If you were to want to use some form of a ceramic, graphene, quarts or ? coating - then follow the manufacturer's directions and the answer is probably "yes".
Sorry for all these questions. I rely on your expertise to help newbies like me.
Completely understand your situation.
