Can polishing be done by hand?

[Jrdriver]

I have a black truck I wanna do a full detail on its only 2 years old and the paint feels pretty smooth but I'm still gonna start with a fine clay bar and of course follow with polish I do not have a machine for this I will be doing it by hand can this be done and still achieve good results and what polishes would work best by hand?

[Rsurfer]

I have a black truck I wanna do a full detail on its only 2 years old and the paint feels pretty smooth but I'm still gonna start with a fine clay bar and of course follow with polish I do not have a machine for this I will be doing it by hand can this be done and still achieve good results and what polishes would work best by hand?

Sure you can, just like you can cut down a tree with a hand saw, but a chain saw will make it easier.

[Jrdriver]

Ok I was just making sure I know black is an easy color to screw up if you aren't careful but from what I understand GM uses a harder finish and I don't have many scratches or swirls so do you have any recommendations on a polish?

[Rsurfer]

You are correct about GM having a harder clear. Which has it's draw back being it's harder to correct. I have never nor will I ever attempt to correct black paint by hand. It's hard enough to correct it by machine less by hand.
If you insist to try it by hand, I would recommend Meguiars Ultimate compound and Ultimate Polish to finish down. Look on AutoGeeks store for a hand held applicator..one for cutting and one for finishing. Good luck.

[Jrdriver]

Ok will do like I said the paint is not in bad shape by any means I just have a few spots of haze left from where the dealer buffer some stuff and I would really like to get rid of that more then anything

[Mizzoutiger]

As time is money, it'll be a lot cheaper, faster and better polishing with machine, especially on black! Hand polishing your entire truck's black paint will likely induce more swirls, scratches and headaches (especially if you're not familiar with process and/or use inferior products...polish, applicators, towels) that will make you wish you never started down that road. With all the sales going on, now's the time to buy the good stuff and properly protect your investment.

[builthatch]

[Mizzoutiger]

[Jrdriver]

Yea it seems that might be the best thing I haven't exactly got a straight answer till this thread so now I know it's probably not the best idea

[AGOatemywallet]

Purchase the suggested products

Tape off a 12" x 12" Test Spot

Go at it by hand and time yourself

If you are happy with the results and the time it took... Hand polish the rest

No way I would ever attempt it; knowing what I know