Whether it’s the final step to completing a $30,000 custom paintjob or saving an oxidized $299.95 Earl Scheib special done long ago, the task is always handled with a polisher, pad, rubbing compound, and some polish. In the past, rubbing out a truck’s paintjob required a lot of skill and experience. Kids these days just don’t know how easy they’ve got it. If they want to take up photography, all they have to do is buy a digital camera, and everything a pro had to learn in college, the digital does automatically. It’s the same story if a person wants to do a little TIG welding. In this day and age there are TIG welders with simplified settings that make it foolproof to lay down a flawless stack of dimes. Back when I was a teenager seeking how to become a custom painter, learning the ropes was a guarded process that few established custom painters would share with a newbie. Pretty much everything I knew about the trade was learned through a process of personal trial and error that took years to perfect. When it came to the final finish, I learned a good wheelman could cover the tracks of a not-so-experienced painter. The saying back in the day was if you don’t get runs, you’re not trying hard enough, so I taught myself how to wheel-out some real rippers.
Nowadays when it comes to color sanding and rubbing a paintjob thanks to modern technology the learning curve isn’t nearly as steep. The manufacturers in the automotive refinish industry have gone to great lengths to uncomplicate the process.
We’ll start with the polisher first. When I joined the trade, the top guns used a Sioux, Black and Decker, or a Skil. In the early ’70s I didn’t have the money to buy a Sioux, so I went to a distressed freight store and bought something called a Makita for a lot less. I’d never heard of the brand and didn’t have much faith in it. I figured by the time the thing wore out I would be able to afford something better. As the decades have passed into the present day, my two-speed 9207SPB Makita sander/polisher has proved to be a top-quality industrial grade tool. For the DIY guy, Makita has introduced the 9227C; it’s every bit as beefy as the 9207SPB, plus it offers a six-position RPM switch that practically eliminates the need to develop RPM sensing instincts only acquired with years of experience.
The polishing pad has also been reinvented in recent times. Where two grades of wool bonnets were once the only choice, a multitude of foam pads and blended wool products have been introduced. Lake Country Manufacturing, in Hartland, Wisconsin, offers a complete line of premium quality pads. The emphasis should always be placed on obtaining premium; inferior quality products are a waste of time, money, and ultimately produce unacceptable results.
Third in the chain of what’s needed to do the job like a pro is selecting premium quality compounds, cleaners, polishes, and waxes. Starting with heavy-duty rubbing compound to fine grit compound, the folks at Mothers offer premixed formulas that can’t be beat. A premixed formula eliminates guessing the concentration is right and strict quality control ensures no granules of grit larger than necessary are present. Remember, just one little extra-large rock in the mix, and you’ll be grinding in deep scratches you’ll never be able to remove with a factory-contaminated brand of compound.
From start to finish, the bottom line to producing a job you’ll be proud of is choosing the best products available. If you are apprehensive that your first try will cause damage to your truck’s finish, practice on your wife’s Mercedes or the neighbor’s new Cadillac. CCT
My ’56 Black & Decker shod...
My ’56 Black & Decker shod with a Lake Country 4-inch rotary (5/8-inch by 11 threads) backing plate. Thanks to less bite, 4-inch pads are less risky to use on a rotary polisher (wheel) and get into tighter areas.
Super lightweight with many...
Super lightweight with many years of reliable power built in: At front the six-speed 9227C Makita with a 600- to 3,000-rpm range. In rear the 9207SPB Makita two-speed with a 2,000- to 3,800-rpm range.
The first step to learning...
The first step to learning paint condition is a good wash with Mothers pure wool mitt and California Gold car wash soap. Hose the entire truck down with water, and then get busy with the wool mitt.
Mothers Ultra Soft drying...
Mothers Ultra Soft drying towel soaks up water and doesn’t create friction burns like synthetic and natural chamois.
Using Mothers clay in a straight–line...
Using Mothers clay in a straight–line motion with Showtime as a lubricant is a safer method than starting with rubbing compound to clean the paint’s surface.
Followed with a Mothers Ultra...
Followed with a Mothers Ultra Soft Quick Detail towel to buff the paint until it’s completely dry. Tear the Mothers tag off first as it might lightly scratch the paint.
The best ultra-fine wet or...
The best ultra-fine wet or dry sandpaper comes from 3M. Mothers Heavy-Duty compound removes 1,200 grade and finer sand scratches.
A little car wash mixed with...
A little car wash mixed with water lubricates the wet or dry sandpaper. A back and forth straight-line motion prevents sandpaper-caused swirl marks.
Here’s what a completed, straight-line...
Here’s what a completed, straight-line 1,000-grit patch looks like after it has been dried with a Quick Detail towel. Using coarse terry cloth towels can leave deep scratches.
There’s several different...
There’s several different ways to go: foam, wool, or blended wool. This Lake Country hook & loop tufted foam increases the buffing surface over nine times versus the contact of a similar size pad. Foam fingers improve airflow and reduce heat and polish buildup, resulting in a swirl-free finish.
I prefer loading Lake Country’s...
I prefer loading Lake Country’s purple foamed wool pad with three light dabs as opposed to applying globs of rubbing compound directly to the paint. Mothers rubbing compound removes 1500 grade scratches and finer; Mothers heavy-duty compound for 1,200 grade and finer.
First I spread the rubbing...
First I spread the rubbing compound on at a very low speed, 600 rpm with taps of the trigger to prevent slinging the compound everywhere in sight.
For the best results at 1,000...
For the best results at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm, it’s critical to look right into the area that’s being worked on and watch the wheel as it polishes.
Non-clearcoat finishes color...
Non-clearcoat finishes color the wool, and clearcoats build up a layer of what looks to be dried rubbing compound.
As soon as I’m finished using...
As soon as I’m finished using a pad, I wash it out with water. This eliminates leaving tiny clumps of dried compound that will scratch future jobs if undetected.
To dry the wool pad I load...
To dry the wool pad I load it back onto the Makita, and spin it at 3,000 rpm until dry. The last step is to groom the wool’s nap vertical by hand.
To prevent rubbing through...
To prevent rubbing through the edges of the paint, or anywhere the wheel shouldn’t touch, I apply 3M blue masking tape.
For finishes with excessive...
For finishes with excessive towel scratches, very light oxidation, or hard water marks left by the Cadillac-owning neighbor’s sprinkler, I use 2,000 grit 3M Imperial wet or dry.
To easily center a polishing...
To easily center a polishing pad, Makita provides a plastic tube that inserts into the backing plate. The polishing pad is then guided perfectly into place.
The orange Lake Country CCS...
The orange Lake Country CCS pad with special German foam is for light cutting and scratch removal. To prevent scratching, never use a foam dry. Always prime it with Mothers Showtime before use.
After the Carnuba Cleaner...
After the Carnuba Cleaner Wax dries to a haze, using a Quick Detail towel to buff it off will bring the finish to a shine.
Again priming the foam first,...
Again priming the foam first, Mothers Machine Glaze works great on a Lake Country black finessing pad. The closed cells reduce surface tension, and slow the rate of absorption. The CCS tiny pockets gradually release polish.
As a milder first step, Mothers...
As a milder first step, Mothers Carnauba Cleaner Wax on an orange pad can be used before trying the rubbing compound to correct the paint’s finish.
The ultimate touch going beyond...
The ultimate touch going beyond where most detailers stop is to use Lake Country’s Crimson ultra-fine finishing pad at 600 rpm to apply the final coat of wax. Allow wax to dry and then buff to a shine with Mothers Ultra Soft polishing cloth.
Check out the shine! Compaarable...
Check out the shine! Compaarable to German brand carnuba waxes selling for $50.00 an 8-ounce tin, Mothers pure carnuba wax uses carnuba from Brazil as well, but sells for much less.