How to deal with polishing marks on black cars?

[PeytonMarie]

To deal with polishing marks on black cars, use G3 polishing wax for a one-time polish, followed by waxing. Precautions for car polishing include: 1. The key to operating a polishing machine is to maximize the polishing rate to quickly remove the damaged layer caused by grinding; 2. Ensure that the polishing damage layer does not affect the observed structure, i.e., it does not create a false structure. The purpose of car polishing is to eliminate fine scratches on the paint surface, address minor paint damage and various stains, thereby achieving a bright paint effect. After polishing, minor defects such as coarse particles, sandpaper marks, flow marks, whitening, and orange peel may appear on the paint film surface. To compensate for these defects, grinding and polishing are usually performed after spraying.

[McLuna]

Last time my black car also showed swirl marks after washing, and the auto repair shop owner taught me the solution. The polishing marks were mainly left by insufficiently fine grinding and polishing before. The first step is to perform mirror restoration: use fine polishing compound with a soft foam pad at low speed and slow polishing, paying special attention to keeping the technique steady—absolutely no pauses or uneven pressure. After polishing, inspect the paint surface with a strong flashlight at an angle until no spiral marks are visible. Finally, it’s essential to apply a ceramic coating or paint protection film as a protective layer—black paint is too delicate, and swirl marks will reappear after just a few days parked outdoors. Throughout the process, machine speed must be carefully controlled; if you lack experience, it’s best to seek professional service.

[Connor]

To deal with polishing marks on a black car, the core process involves three steps of polishing: coarse polishing to remove deep scratches, medium polishing to refine the grinding marks, and finally fine polishing to restore the mirror-like finish. I've personally handled it with an RO polisher. Special attention is needed because black car paint is softer than lighter colors. It's best to use glaze-grade polishing compounds (such as those with 0.5μm particles) and replace wool pads with ultra-fine fiber pads for safety. When polishing, keep your arm movement stable like drawing a rainbow, and work on each panel section by section. Wipe off the polishing dust immediately with a non-woven cloth after each section. It's recommended to practice on the trunk lid first, as curved areas like door waistlines are the most challenging to control the pressure. Finally, a light pass with a DA polisher at the end will ensure a more even finish.

[VanDelilah]

It's quite normal for black cars to have polishing marks; I've handled hundreds of them. The key is to distinguish the depth of the marks: shallow marks can be addressed by using a DA machine with a gloss restorer at low speed for two passes. For deeper marks, start with 2000-grit wet sanding, but this carries high risks and is not recommended for beginners. Important reminders on details: the working environment must be dust-free, and after polishing every 30cm×30cm area, test the paint surface temperature with the back of your hand—if it's too hot, it indicates excessive pressure. Immediately after polishing, use an IPA solution to degrease and check the results, and a sealant must be applied within 48 hours. As a handy tip, applying liquid wax monthly on black cars can delay the reappearance of marks.