Glazed and Confused

[BakerzDuzin]

I recently have come into the possession of a Dewalt rotary polisher. I've been hand waxing and polishing my cars for years, but never on a rotary. I've used them before years ago, but could use a little help figuring out what I need to purchase.

The car this will be used on is a 2013 Toyota Highlander with the blizzard pearl paint. Just not quite sure what pads to buy and what products to use. I know there's a lot of stuff out there, but any help would be totally awesome! I've used a rotary on an older car I used to own, but never on a brand new vehicle.

[Mike Phillips]

If you're going to plan on finishing out with only the rotary buffer, then at a minimum I'd recommend getting one of these polishes,

Menzerna SF 4500 – Super Finish Polish


Sonax Nano Polish


Optimum Finish Polish


I've used all of the above for rotary buffer only buff-outs and with either a soft foam waxing pad or jewelling pad had very good results.


Since you're working on white paint, even if you did chemically strip the paint to inspect for hologram they would be hard to see. If you don't see them that's the same as them not being there.

[BakerzDuzin]

Mike do you think I would need anything before I polished via rotary and afterwards what would you recommend for wax/sealant on that type of paint.

[Mike Phillips]

Mike do you think I would need anything before I polished via rotary and afterwards what would you recommend for wax/sealant on that type of paint.

Well no matter what type of tool you use, you still follow the basics,

• Wash and dry
• Inspect with sense of touch for contaminants
• Inspect visually for swirls and scratches

Once you've done the above then decide what your goal is?

Flawless show car finish or regular mainteance to protect your investment, for example applying a one-step cleaner/wax.

Your "goals" determine how many steps you do.

The condition of the paint determines the type of products and procedures you do.

For example, for a show car finish on a car with swirls and scratches,

• wash and dry
• clay
• compound
• polish
• jewel
• Seal with a wax, sealant or coating

Here's an article I wrote that walks you through what "you" want to do, whether your car is brand new or not...


How To Detail Your Brand New Car by Mike Phillips