The 5 Mistakes Beginners Make When Polishing Paint

Paint correction isn’t hard—but it’s easy to mess up if you’re new. These are the most common mistakes beginners make when polishing, and how to avoid them.

1. Using Too Much Pressure

One of the biggest mistakes is pressing down too hard on the polisher. More pressure doesn’t mean more correction—it can stall your DA and mar the finish.

Fix: Let the pad and polish do the work. Use moderate pressure and slow, overlapping passes.

2. Choosing the Wrong Pad

Too aggressive? You’ll leave haze. Too soft? You won’t correct anything. Beginners often use whatever pad came with the machine—not a good idea.

Fix: Use a Cut & Finish Pad for general correction or a Finishing Pad for soft paint and light polishing.

3. Overworking the Polish

Polishing too long can dry out the product, increase heat, and risk damage. You don’t need to go over the same panel 10 times.

Fix: Work in 2x2 foot sections with 2–4 passes max. Then wipe off and inspect your results.

4. Not Cleaning the Pad Often Enough

As the pad loads up with residue, it loses effectiveness and may reintroduce defects. This is a sneaky mistake most beginners overlook.

Fix: Clean your pad with compressed air, a brush, or switch pads every few panels.

5. Polishing Dirty Paint

Polishing without fully cleaning or decontaminating the surface is a fast track to swirl city. You’re basically grinding dirt into your clear coat.

Fix: Always wash, clay, and prep your paint before polishing. You can use the Picture Perfect Paint Bundle for the full correction system.

Bonus Tip:

Don’t overthink it. If you’re using Picture Perfect Polish and a good pad, you’re already ahead of most beginners. Just take your time and check your work as you go.

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