Polish a Car With a Drill: Do it the Professional Way

Learning how to buff and polish a car with a drill shouldn’t give you a headache. Make sure you have a good-quality pad attachment, then wax the car while positioning the drill at a 90-degree angle and applying gentle pressure.

We have the details in our step-by-step guide below. We will also give you some pro tips to keep your car’s paint job looking as good as new!

How to Buff and Polish a Car’s Paint Job With a Drill?

To buff and polish a car’s paint job with a drill, hold the drill at a 90-degree angle and apply gentle pressure. Rotate the drill over the scratch for approximately 10 seconds, then wipe it off with a clean microfiber towel.

A custom paint job and even small paintwork restorations can improve after an excellent, quick buff to eliminate residues. The polishing will also help blend the paint and fix all the imperfections to bring out the best shine of your car’s color.

1. Gather the Necessary Materials

You can accomplish this through hand polishing, but you’ll obtain a superior finish quicker and more efficiently using a power tool. The best part is that you don’t need to buy those expensive polishing machines and buffing pads.

Your household electric drill and a cost-effective polishing tool will do the job! A drill can reach up to 2,000 rotations per minute (RPM), which your hand can’t match.But how do you buff car paint using a drill? Here are the simple steps, but first, you’ll need to gather the following tools:

A drill: The best drill for polishing should be cordless to eliminate the limitations of a wire. The drill should also be able to operate in the range of 1500 to 2500 RPM.

• Drill bit: A standard 3/8-inch drill bit
• Polishing pads: You can find a suitable one online, such as a DeWalt DW49887-1/2 wood polishing pad or a dual action pad.
• Microfiber cloth
• A suitable polish (polishing compound)
• A pair of gloves and safety goggles

2. Prepare for the Exercise

First, wear your protective gloves and goggles to remain safe throughout the exercise. Next, you also need to remove any moisture or dirt from the damaged area using a clean microfiber cloth. Ensure it’s clean and dry before proceeding to the next step.

3. Set up the Drill

Mount the bit (backing plate) to the drill. Next, connect the polishing pad to the bit. Ensure that the pad and bit are all securely in place.

Also, use a quality pad and polish to eliminate light scratches, sanding marks, and scuffs on the paintwork.

Top-notch pads and polish will also fix swirl marks and blend in the paint, ideally to bring out the best look. Once the drill is ready, you can take a couple of minutes to practice using it before you begin on your car.

4. Add Polishing Paste

It’s time to smear some polishing compound onto the car polish drill attachment (pad). Spread the paste (polish) over your pad with your fingers so it’s not in a single spot. Next, you must spread the paste evenly on the imperfections you want to fix.

You can do this with the polishing pad while your drill is off. Begin by moving with the drill so you can find a comfortable rhythm. Once you’re ready, go to the next step.

5. Start Polishing

Keep your drill straight — at a 90-degree angle. Apply low pressure to avoid unnecessary damage to your paint job and rotate throughout the damaged part for about 15 seconds. Start polishing your car in small areas and slowly go to other spots. The secret is to be as gentle as possible to avoid overworking the paste and causing damage to the car.

After that, do the final touches by wiping the area with a microfiber towel. That will help remove any extra polish. If you like the results, move on to the other areas of the vehicle.

Take note that using a drill should be an option only when you don’t have a machine polisher. Machines designed for car detailing produce far better results. Many experts don’t recommend using a drill as the risk of damaging the paintwork is high. Machine polishes are constructed with a purpose.

How To Care for a Car’s Paint Job After Polishing With a Drill?

To care for a car’s paint job after polishing with a drill, you must clean the car regularly. It would be best to embrace the correct and safer car washing techniques, such as using the right soap. Avoiding tailgating and ultraviolet exposure will also prolong your paint work’s life.

• Wash Your Car Regularly and Correctly

Regularly washing your vehicle is one of the best ways to maintain its paint job. You also must ensure you’re using the correct methods and best car cleaning practices. Avoid using dirty washcloths.

Once the vehicle is clean, ensure proper drying using a microfiber towel rather than leaving it to air dry. Steer clear of paper towels, bathroom towels, and rags, as they can cause damage over time.

• Embrace Safer Car Washing Techniques

Use safer techniques to keep scratches at a minimum. For example, avoid roadside car washes, often using cleaning tools filled with dirt from previous cars. It would help to steer clear of drive-through car washes because many companies don’t clean the brushes that roll over your car.

These cleaning techniques are a recipe for tiny scratches. You’re better off cleaning your car at home the traditional way.

• Buy the Right Washing Soap

Dishwashing detergent should be a no-no if you want to keep your paint job looking good. This detergent contains salt and harsh chemicals in higher concentrations. Over time, these chemicals will damage the paint, plastic trim, and rubbers.

The best car washing soap should contain formulations with a pH balance to be as gentle on paint as possible. A good-quality car detergent should reduce inevitable damage from the elements and add a layer of protection to the paintwork.

• Protect Your Car From the Sun

Sometimes it’s inevitable for your car not to be exposed to the sun. However, try to ensure it doesn’t turn into a habit. Ultraviolet rays are harmful to your car’s paint job.

The sun can oxidize the paint, making it fade and look much older than it actually is. Park your car under a covered space whenever possible. That will add many years to the paintwork’s life.

• Avoid Tailgating

You can reduce the risk of scratches and other imperfections by avoiding tailgating. Most people are guilty of being too close to the car in front. However, that puts your vehicle right within the blast zone. Stone chips, dirt, debris, and anything the tires pick will inevitably hit you, resulting in ruined paint work.

Conclusion

The sections above included our step-by-step guide on how to buff and polish your car with a drill.

Here’s a summary:

• Car polishing with a drill offers faster and better results than using your hand.
• You must hold the drill at a 90-degree angle and apply gentle pressure to reduce the risk of scratches.
• After you’ve buffed and polished your car’s paintwork, you must embrace the correct and safer washing techniques to keep it looking great for a long time.
• Tailgating, roadside car washes, and sun exposure can ruin your paint job more quickly than you think.

Now gather the tools and fix those imperfections on your car surface — just remember to find a good quality polish and pad!