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How to remove scratches and swirl marks by polishing

≈ 240 min

Short answer

Polishing removes scratches that haven't gone through the clear coat: if your fingernail doesn't catch, it can almost always be polished out. Work from coarse to fine: PowerCut heavy-cut compound on a firm pad, then FastPolish, and finish with EasyFinish on a soft pad for a mirror shine without holograms.

What you'll need

PowerCut — heavy-cut polishing compoundPowerCut, 750 ml155 GELFastPolish — medium-cut polishing compoundFastPolish, 750 ml145 GELEasyFinish — fine-cut polishing compoundEasyFinish, 750 ml135 GELDA15 Polisher — dual action polisherDA15 Polisher1 100 GELDA Foam Pad Purple — hard purple polishing padDA Foam Pad Purple, 130 mm (hard)29 GELDA Foam Pad Maroon — medium maroon polishing padDA Foam Pad Maroon, 130 mm (medium)29 GELDA Foam Pad Yellow — yellow anti-hologram polishing padDA Foam Pad Yellow, 130 mm (anti-hologram)29 GELBuffing Towel — 40×40 cm microfiber for buffingBuffing Towel, 40×40 cm12 GEL

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Yandex Go / Bolt delivery · free from 300 GEL

Step by step

  1. Wash and degrease

    Any grain of sand under the pad will leave new scratches. Remove iron fallout with IronOFF.

  2. Check the depth

    Run a fingernail across the scratch. If it catches, the paint may be damaged and need a touch-up.

  3. Do a test spot

    Start with the gentlest combination on a small area and step up only if it doesn't work.

  4. Cutting

    PowerCut on the firm DA Foam Pad Purple for deep scratches, FastPolish for medium ones.

  5. Finishing

    EasyFinish on the anti-hologram DA Foam Pad Yellow removes holograms and adds depth of gloss.

  6. Wipe off residue

    Use a soft Buffing Towel and protect the paint with wax or a coating.

Common mistakes

  • Polishing a dirty car
  • Starting with the most aggressive compound
  • Holding the polisher in one spot — overheating the clear coat
  • Polishing in the sun or on hot paint

Questions and answers

Can I polish my car myself?

Yes, with a dual-action polisher such as the DA15 Polisher — it's safer than a rotary and suitable for beginners. Start with a test spot and gentle compounds.

How much clear coat does polishing remove?

Cutting removes a few microns, finishing almost nothing. That's why heavy correction isn't done often — once or twice in several years.

Which scratches can't be polished out?

Those through the clear coat into the paint or primer — your fingernail catches and you see a different colour. They need a touch-up.

Car care recommendations

How to wash your car at home without streaks or scratchesHow to deep clean your car interior yourselfHow to get rid of bad smells in your car: smoke, damp, petsHow to clean car wheels and tiresHow to clean car windows without streaks
How to remove scratches and swirl marks by polishing