Buffer Waves

[6506gary]

I had a little front end damage to my 04 Corvette and the repair required some new body panels and paint. After I got the car home, I noticed wave after wave of buffer marks that I am not too happy with. Is there a way to get those out or should I take it back to the body shop. Thanks, Gary

[zmcgovern45]

I assume you are referring to a defect known as "holograms".

Have a look at this article for more information: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...o-marring.html

Body shops use high speed rotary machines equipped with heavy cutting pads and use lower quality compounds and polishes. This tool/product/pad combo combined with what is usually a poorly trained employee leads to a lack luster finish. Unfortunately this is VERY common of work done by dealerships or body shops. These marks can be easily removed by someone who knows how to properly machine polish. You can also very easily learn to polish on your own using a dual action (DA) machine... http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-not-hard.html.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-polisher.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...pc-7424xp.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-polisher.html


More articles by Mike Phillips are available here - I highly recommend spending some time looking through them if you intend on doing it yourself: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-phillips.html

[Mike Phillips]

I had a little front end damage to my 04 Corvette and the repair required some new body panels and paint. After I got the car home, I noticed wave after wave of buffer marks that I am not too happy with. Is there a way to get those out or should I take it back to the body shop. Thanks, Gary

Sorry to hear of yet another horror story from a business deal with a body shop.

Here's the deal Gary,

IF the shop couldn't do it right the first time...


What's changed?


The answer is nothing.


So don't let them touch it again. It sounds like they are finishing out with only a rotary buffer and some type of pad and polish. While it's possible to get a hologram free finish using only a rotary buffer it's faster and more fool-proof to finish out with a dual action polisher and avoid the entire issue.

If you want to fix it yourself we can help you.

Otherwise, I would print this thread out and take it with you and let the body shop know you want them to pay to have the swirls removed.

Then start a thread on our forum like this,

Pro Detailer wanted in City Name and State


Our forum is better than Angie's List when it comes to getting you someone that can undo the damage they inflicted and finish out swirl free the SECOND time.


The buffer waves are called holograms or rotary buffer trails.

[swanicyouth]

If you bring it back to the body shop, they will probably sublet it out to someone on here.

[sjb89]

You didn't say whether it was a insurance repair or out of pocket repair. Insurance company's no longer feel it is necessary to pay for a sand and buff on repainted panels. Shops are not getting compensated for this necessary step, resulting in a quick scuff and buff for dirt removal. The results usually reflect the "Do It For Free " attitude. Still, a quality shop should do whatever it takes to deliver a quality job since it is their name driving around on the car.

[Pureshine]

Where are you located?