There are times when your vehicle will not get back to that showroom shine regardless of how much polishing and washing it receives. It could be that it has a repair and the paintwork is not of the same quality as the original finish. Maybe it is because you live in a hot climate and the UV rays have caused the paintwork to fade. It could even be that multiple car washes and general wear and tear have led to micro scratches that cannot be removed by hand polishing alone.
Polishing compounds are highly effective in the hands of trained professional that is using the correct equipment, whilst it is possible for the home user to achieve the same results they would need to approach with caution and ensure they have had the required training as incorrect use could cause damage to the paintwork.
How does it work?
Car detailers use a cutting compound to remove the top layers of the paint finish. Caiman car detailing compounds can be used to rejuvenate the paint in a variety of ways:
- Polishing out paint scratches and swirl marks
- Removing paint overspray
- Removing paint transfers and stains on your paint surface
- Blending in areas of new paintwork
- Restoring dull and weathered paintwork
- Smoothing paint finishes
The Caiman compound range can be applied by hand with a cloth or circular applicator pad, but best results are achieved with a polishing machine using Caiman lambs wool pad.
How to use car compound to removing scratches
If you want to use a Caiman cutting compound to remove scratches and swirl marks in the paint, here’s what to do. Bear in mind that Caiman compound car polish works best on light, shallow scratches that are only in the top clear coat.
Take extra care using it on corners and panel creases, where it’s easy to rub through the paint colour, revealing the metal beneath.
- Wash the car thoroughly to remove dirt and grit, then dry it
- Apply a small amount of Caiman cutting compound to your applicator and rub into the required area
- Use circular or backwards and forwards motion or a polishing machine and keep a steady, light pressure
- Wipe away any leftover product before it dries and buff the area with a clean microfibre cloth
- Repeat application if needed
- Wax the area with Caiman Polishing Wax 60
You may need to wax the car regularly after cutting to protect the newly exposed paint and prevent it from going dull. Caiman Phoenix Pink is highly recommended.
Step by step guide how to use car compound to restore the paintwork
If you want to apply the cutting compound to restore paint shine and remove oxidisation, the job is much more significant. It is best to use a buffing machine rather than applying by hand for large areas. It would help if you also worked in sections from the top-down, completing each section before moving on.
- Step 1 - Clean and dry the car thoroughly
- Step 2 - Clay Bar the paint to remove contaminants – this step will make sure there is nothing bonded to the paint
- Step 3 - Apply a small amount of Caiman cutting compound to the wool pad of the machine polisher. Apply this to the paint surface using light, steady strokes
- Step 4 - Wipe away any excess product before it dries
- Step 5 - Buff with a clean Caiman microfibre cloth or a machine polisher
- Step 6 - Continue until all sections of the car have been treated
- Step 7 - Apply a high-quality car wax to finish
Again, you will need to apply regular wax to protect the paint.
Which car compound should I use?
- Light Abrasiveness: Caiman Ultra Fine Compound 40 - Ultimate high gloss polish, removes polishing marks and achieves a brilliant high gloss finish.
- Medium Abrasiveness: Caiman Medium Compound 20 - High performance cutting compound which can remove sanding marks quickly and effectively without damaging the service.
- High Abrasiveness: Caiman Course Compound 5 - A heavy cutting compound which can P1200 sanding marks and other course imperfections/
