Jewelling - Definition

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Jewelling - Definition


Jewelling is a term for what I always called finish polishing, both terms mean to bring the paint to the highest degree of gloss, shine, depth, reflectivity etc. and this is done by making the paint as perfectly flat as possible at the microscopic level.

Just to make sure there's no confusion, when I use the word flat I don't mean as in dull or matte, I mean as smooth and equal in surface level, as in perfectly flat like the surface of a glass window. The car body panel itself can be curved but the paint on the curved panel must be perfectly flat and smooth.

I personally like the term jewelling better than finish polishing because the word jewel conjures up a picture in your mind, or the idea of a highly polished gemstone that glistens when light reflects off its surfaces.

A few years ago when the term jewelling reached the tipping point and became a commonly used term on detailing discussion forums I posted a request to one forum and asked for a volunteer to write an official definition for the term.

To this date I have not found an official definition written as such by anyone. So after waiting for a few years I'll volunteer to take a stab at it.


Jewelling - Definition
The final machine polishing step in which an ultra soft foam finishing pad with no mechanical abrading ability, (in and of itself), is used with a high lubricity ultra fine finishing polish to remove any remaining microscopic surface imperfections out of an automotive paint finish usually after the paint has been previously put through a series of machine compounding and polishing procedures to create a near perfect finish to start with.


Open to suggestions to tweak the definition and perfect it and standardize it for the detailing industry.

Also just want to add that while in most cases jewelling is the last step after a series of previous compounding and polishing steps, it is also possible to start with a near perfect finish. For example, at some other time the paint was already compounded and polished but needs to be refreshed to restore perfection.

[rwright]

That's a great definition Mike, I'm surprised it hasn't been defined "officially" before.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Originally Posted by rwright

That's a great definition Mike, I'm surprised it hasn't been defined "officially" before.

It may be officially defined, I just haven't found it defined anywhere. If you or anyone finds an official definition on a website or on a forum let me know as my posting history shows me to do my best to give due credit to where credit is due.

[rwright]

You've been on forums way longer than I have, so if you haven't seen it then I highly doubt I will! I have no doubts in your word .

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

I think I first read the term from Todd Helme on MOL a few years ago and I've read where he posted he picked it up from others. I found another thread where a forum member said the term goes back to the 1940's and 1950's but I've still never found an official definition.

I want to use the term for an article I'm writing but want to start by having a clear definition and since I couldn't find one I wrote one.

I know I asked someone else that was talking about the term to write the definition but can't find the thread.

[96Lude]

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

Also just want to add that while in most cases jewelling is the last step after a series of previous compounding and polishing steps, it is also possible to start with a near perfect finish. For example, at some other time the paint was already compounded and polished but needs to be refreshed to restore perfection.

Mike, when you mention previous polishing steps, does that include removing any light holograms or buffer trails? Or is that reserved for the jewelling step?

Also, most people usually mention jewelling with a rotary. In my mind, this means you risk causing new holograms.

[Flannigan]

Sounds good. Isn't it usually associated with low RPM's too?

[CleanGene]

Sounds good to me, Mike.

[dreamps]

awesome article MP! i was expecting a list of your fav pads/products combo for jeweling!

[mbkite]

I think asfault rocket vette was jeweled
and i think thats where i first heard the term.