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Technical Note #5 - Polishing Clear Coats

Wash the area thoroughly. Leave it wet.

Wrap 1000-grit paper around a rubber sanding pad. Both the paper and sanding pad can be purchased at a good automotive parts store. Dip the pad in a bucket of clean water with a touch of dish detergent in it. Sand lightly in small circular motions, wetting the paper every 30 seconds or so. Clean each area as you sand it with plenty of clean water and pat dry with a cotton T-shirt. Sand the entire area very lightly. Replace the 1000-grit paper with 1500-grit paper and get a new bucket of slightly soapy water. Repeat the entire sanding job using very light pressure on the pad and keeping the sandpaper constantly wet. Frequently stop to clean areas with clean water as you sand them. Replace the 1500-grit paper with 2000-grit paper and sand the finish very lightly one final time, keeping the sandpaper wet at all times. Remember, you are not trying to sand through the clear coat on --you are merely smoothing the existing clear coat. Wash the area with clear water and pat dry with a perfectly clean cotton T-shirt. Apply 3M Buffer compound using a clean cotton T-shirt in small circular motions. Work in small areas and buff out the buffer compound with a clean cotton T-shirt as you go.