The Art of Auto Paint Finishing

One-step products. One-step products were developed to provide a fast and easy way to finish a paint when the detail business catered primarily to the wholesale market. They provide some correction and some shine but offer little long-term durability.

A glaze is a “body-shop” safe polish/swirl remover. That is, it will remove buffer swirls and fill minor imperfections, but it contains no silicones or waxes that will seal the paint. A new paint cannot be sealed for 60 to 90 days after application. While many detailers will use one-step products on retail vehicles, we believe you should follow the three- or two-step process on all retail cars and one-step products on wholesale vehicles.

The correct process

There are two key points to keep in mind when working on wholesale vehicle finishes. First is the price paid by the dealer. Second, is the dealer concerned only about the shine and not durability? Therefore, in order to provide the dealer with what they want and save you time and money, you can follow a different approach and use different chemicals. Typically, there will be three approaches to take on wholesale vehicles:

1. Where a paint finish is severely damaged, you will have to follow the three-step process.

2. A two-step process using a polish and wax/sealant.

3. Some paints can be finished by using a high-speed buffer, finishing pad and a one-step product. It is also possible to use the orbital waxer and the one-step product if the finish is in extremely good condition.

The purpose of this article was to provide you with effective yet simple methods to finish most paint surfaces and to avoid swirls. Remember, the key to the processes depends on identification of the paint finish, analysis of the problem, selection of correct tools, pads and proper chemicals. In order to have consistent quality, efficiency of operation and maximum utilization of labor, you must have a system that everyone in the shop follows with no exception.

The owner/manager is responsible to train and instruct employees on all tools, pads and chemicals so everyone understands the purpose of each and when they are to be used. The owner/manager has the responsibility to clearly indicate on the job service order which process is to be used on the vehicle finish. With this approach, the employee does not have to guess what to do. He is clearly instructed in writing.

Any lesser approach will result in inconsistent work, high labor cost, disorganization and damage to paint finishes. Whether you use this approach or another to finish paint surfaces, the key is to have an approach that everyone knows.

Keith Duplessie is technical services manager for Portland, Ore.-based Detail Plus Car Appearance Systems, in charge of all installations, training and technical services. He can be reached at keith@detailplus.com.