How to Buff a Newly Painted Car

Buffing a newly painted car can bring back the paint's original luster and appeal after the car becomes dirty, and the shine of the new paint begins to fade. While buffing a newly painted car is a great way to make your car look like you just drove it off a dealership lot, it is time-consuming and filled with several risks if you are not willing to take the appropriate time to buff your car correctly.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 Bucketof Water
• 1 Large towel for drying
• 10 Smaller towels
• Buffing material
• Waxing material
• Blue masking tape
• Electric buffer (optional)

1. Place your car in the shade, or wait until the weather becomes more moderate or mild. Direct sunlight or heat can damage the paint when chemicals are on it during the buffing process.

2. Wash your car thoroughly. All dirt, dust, and other foreign materials must be removed from the car before you begin the buffing process. Leaving any dirt or dust can cause scratching to the paint.

3. Cover all edges of your car to protect any area of the cars that you do not wish to be buffed. For example, you should tape the outer edges of all the car windows.

4. Apply your buffing compound to your towel and begin buffing the paint on your car using circular motions. This step will take a significant amount of time and strength as you are trying to literally remove the top layer of "damaged" paint from your car.

5. Apply your wax compound if you intend on maintaining the new "buff job" you have completed. This step is not necessary but highly desirable (especially if you already spent a significant amount of time buffing your car).

Tips & Warnings

• You can use an electric buffer to buff your car, but this will cost more money. On the other hand, it will save you time and effort.
• Make sure you purchase quality waxing and buffing materials before you begin this process. Ask a local car shop or employees inside the automobile section of a large department store about which materials will be best to use.
• Stay patient. If you are not using an electric buffer, this process will take endurance and time.
• Do not buff or wax your car in direct sunlight or heat, as this may damage the paint on your car.
• If you have any questions or concerns you should immediately contact a car specialist or anyone with the appropriate knowledge to help you complete this task.
• This article is intended to guide you in the buffing and waxing process and in no way guarantees that you will be able to successfully buff and wax your car. You should contact a car specialist before performing this task.

Resources

• Buffing Your Newly-Finished Paint