can you use polishing compound on a clear coat finish??

Answer 1

clear coat is like soft glass on your car, using compound will scratch the (glass like) finish and leave swirl marks (more noticable on darker colored cars or worse a haze making it look dull. Only use teflon polish or carnuba wax. Have a reputable detailer take a look at it and Give you an opinion

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Answer 2

Are we talking rotating buffer/machine polisher or hand? Huge difference.

You can use anything on it, but you have to be careful AS YOU WOULD BE WITH ANY PAINT JOB.

I don't know where people get these grandiose ideas that clearcoat is so different. On **ANY**paint job, you don't want to rub through.

On ANY paint job you can easily ruin it with a rotating "buffer" wheel so don't do it. If you're doing it by hand, it is going to be hard to rub through. If you are trying to remove light scratches, just start with a grittier rubbing compound (don't rub too hard - and this will leave it dull) then move up to "polishing compound" and then use regular car polish; it may take a few final applications of the polish to get all of the "dull" out.

If clearcoat was so special and fragile, they wouldn't use it. If you "rub through" any kind of paint job you'll ruin it. In either case - clearcoat or not - you're screwed and going to need repainting. Why would it be okay to rub through conventional paint and not clearcoat? Why would exercising due care (not rubbing through) be different on either one? Answer: It is not.

Answer 3

there are certain polishing compounds out there just for clear coat finish

Answer 4

You can use polishing compound but avoid rubbing compound.

Answer 5

NO! You'll ruin it in very short order!

You should ONLY use a non-abrasive wax on clearcoat finishes!

Answer 6

yes