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Cut and Polish

Australia’s climate is extremely harsh on your car’s paintwork. UV rays, salt residue, bird and bat droppings, tree sap and other contaminants attack your car’s surface on a daily basis, leaving it dull and oxidised in a short period of time. Professional polishing and waxing on a regular basis will keep your car’s finish protected, clean and shiny even after 10 or 15 years from new. The polishing process can safely remove fine surface scratches, oxidisation (fading) and avoid the onset of corrosion.

a man is polishing a car in the workshop

CUT AND POLISHING DEFINITIONS

Compounding is basically a term for using a cutting compound/paste after a vehicle has been resprayed and wet sanded to remove the fine scratches that the wet sanding has left. Or to cut out surface scratches and extensive hazing and swirl marks.

Polishing is a broad term that can mean any of the various methods and techniques that are required to restore paintwork.

Waxing is a relatively simple process that can be done by the vehicle owner on a regular basis. After the vehicle has been washed and dried one will apply a layer of wax by hand applicator or machine polisher with a soft foam pad. Once the wax has been let dry then gently wipe the wax off with a microfibre cloth. Best results are obtained when the vehicle has been clay barred before waxing.

Paint rejuvenation, restoration and paint correction are basically the same. This is a term we use when the paintwork is oxidised/faded and heavily scratched which will need at least 2 or 3 stages of compounding, polishing and waxing performed.

Cut and Polish is a 2-step process that is used to remove surface scratches, light oxidation and swirl/haze marks left from the compounding process. Firstly, the paintwork is machine polished with a very fine cutting polish that will safely remove the paints imperfections and then a layer of wax applied by hand or machine.

Clay Barring is a term for removing overspray, tar, salt scum and contaminants from your paints surface before compounding, polishing or waxing. The product is called “cleaner clay” – we find 3m to be the best.
Wet Sanding is a process that is done after a vehicle has been re-sprayed to remove “orange peel” or high points in the fresh paints surface.

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Don't let a car accident disrupt your life more than it needs to. Contact Automotive Panel Service today to schedule your car pick up and drop off service. We're here to make the process as smooth and hassle-free as possible for you.