If your car has some blemishes and you want to get them out, you can get a buffing service. This will take care of common eye sores like scratches, rubs, door dings, paint overspray, tree sap, acid rain marks, and other issues. Getting a buffing service is often much cheaper then going to a body shop for this kind of work. In this article I will discuss the buffing process, what to expect, and where to find a buffing shop. I’ll also share my experience with the car buffing service near me.
Find a Car Buffing Service Near Me
If you are seeking “Car Buffing Service Near Me”, the map below shows your best local options.
What is Car Buffing?
Buffing, also referred to as polishing, is when you apply a specialized compound and then level out the surface. The purpose is to remove any residue or debris from the surface and create a uniform look. In many instances it also creates a gloss on the surface.
What to Expect When Getting a Buffing Service
Each shop runs a bit different. Some do a full detailing on your vehicle, while others places may charge less for spot treating an issue. You should expect to be as questions about where and what is the issue. If you have some particular residue on your vehicle do you know what it is. Some folks also call a buffing service, when what they really want is a waxing service and a buff.
You should know that not all scratches can be buffed out. It really depends on how deep the scratch digs into your clear coat. You should also expect to pay more if your car has excessive tar and grease that needs to be removed.
Then you will be given a service list that will likely involve a 2 step, 4 step, 8 step, or 12 step buffing process. The more the steps the more the cost and the level of buffing. 4 and 8 steps are pretty common, so let’s talk about what’s involved on those…
4 Step Buffing Process at Most Services
- Step 1: Wash and Heavy Compound: Wash the exterior and buff it completely with a heavy rubbing compound to remove any big scratches.
- Step 2 Light Compound: Buff the entire vehicle with a light rubbing compound to remove the faintest scratches.
- Step 3 Sealant: Buff the entire vehicle with a sealant.
- Wash and Dry: Hand wash with a formulated wax soap to remove all compound over spay that is still on the vehicle. Clean the tires and wheels. Dry the vehicle completely with soft cloth.
- Step 4 Teflon Sealant: Apply Teflon paint sealant to the entire exterior.
- Finishing Touches: Cleaning windows, door jams, and treating any exterior plastic trim.
8 Step Buffering Process
- Step 1: Wash and Wet Sand: Wash the exterior and then wet sand the entire exterior to remove all scratches.
- Step 2 Heavy Compound: Buff complete exterior with heavy rubbing compound to smooth out the heaviest scratches and wet sanded areas.
- Step 3 More Heavy Compound: Perform a second round of heavy compound to make sure the heaviest deepest scratches have been addressed.
- Step 4 Light Compound: Buff the entire vehicle with a light rubbing compound to remove the faintest scratches.
- Step 5 More Light Compound: Buff exterior with a second round of light compound to make sure even the light scratches are gone completely.
- Step 6 Clear Coat Treatment: Buff the exterior with a finish to treat the clear coat.
- Wash and Dry: Hand wash with a formulated wax soap to remove all compound over spay that is still on the vehicle. Clean the tires and wheels. Dry the vehicle completely with soft cloth.
- Step 7 Teflon Sealant: Apply 1st coat of Teflon paint sealant to the entire exterior.
- Step 8 More Teflon Sealant: Apply wnd coat of Teflon paint sealant to the entire exterior.
- Finishing Touches: Cleaning windows, door jams, and treating any exterior plastic trim.
What I have documented above is of course part of an entire exterior detailing job. This however is hyper focused on removing scratches and residue on your vehicle.
How Do You Know What Service You You Need?
In most case you can bring your vehicle in and discuss it. If you are calling around for quotes you can send them pictures of the issues and they can better help assess the level of service required.
While in most circumstances a 4 step process will suffice, there are time you need much more work. I once ran over a black paint can in my white Mercedes. It completely exploded all over my rear wheel wheel and backend. Wet sand and many rounds of heavy and light compound were the only real option. The car buffing service near me did a great job, but it cost me almost $400 and a 8 step process to get it back to normal.
The Risks of Car Buffing
When you buff your vehicle you are putting your cars finish at risk. If it is done with improper tools or abrasive cloth you can do more damage to your car then you started with. Applying to much pressure with an abrasive towel is bad and can create more scratches in your clear coat.
Buffing On Your Own
Buffing By Hand
Ideally you want to use high end microfiber towels and do not apply a lot of pressure when you use them. You should frequently fold and flip the towel to make sure you are always using a clean area. It doesn’t really matter how fast of a motion you use. If you have applied to much of your compounding wax, sealant, or coating, you may need to use more pressure to work it down. Sometimes using using a small spritz of a quick detailing spray makes life a bit easier.
Buffing With a Machine
When you use a machine it is the last step in the process and serves as polishing. First you apply your product to the surface, the machine works just like using a hand towel to remove and even out issues on the surface. You should again be careful not to apply to much pressure. When you use a buffing machine you can get a nice glossy shine on your vehicles exterior panels. A nice machine buff gives your vehicle that polished look.
Choosing the Best Local Car Buffing Near Me
When you are trying to find a car buffing service there are a few things to consider. You may want to think about what services they have, how bad is your exterior surface, what are the rates, how big is my vehicle and how does that impact the price. Here is how I went about choosing a car buffing service near me:
- Vehicle Types Serviced: What kind of vehicles do they work on? For example no need to take your Prius to am exotic car detailer.
- Services Offered: Perhaps you are looking for someone that specializes in removing pine tar and sap. Some places offer special service for specific problems.
- Read Reviews and Testimonials: What are other customers saying? Look at pictures of their past work online. Read the good and the bad reviews. Look for people who post before and after photos of their vehicles.
- Pricing: Do the prices seem reasonable against competing companies. Also check Groupon for coupons.
- Location and Availability: Can I conveniently get my car to them? Can they drive me back? Is mobile detailing available?
Car Buffing Service Near Me – Final Thoughts…
If your car has scratches, rubs, door dings, paint overspray, tree sap, acid rain marks, or related issues a buffing service is a great option. While you can do it yourself, which I recommend for small issues, there are some issues that require a pro. The difference between what I can do at home with compound vs what a pro does with a wet sander is a huge difference. A buffing service not only has the right tools and touch, but they use proven techniques that will ensure you get the best shine from your cars exterior surface. This is what I have learned from the place that offers a car buffing service near me.