How to Machine Polish Your Paint and Get That Deep Mirror Shine

Give it a proper two-bucket wash. You need every bit of grit off that surface. If you've been near the coast, pay extra attention to the gaps where salt spray hides.

This is non-negotiable. Run your hand over the paint; if it feels like sandpaper, that's contamination. Use plenty of lube and glide the clay over the paint until it's smooth as glass.

Dry the car completely (use a blower if you have one). Tape off any black plastic trim, rubber seals, and badges. Trust me on this one, it's a nightmare getting polish off textured plastic.

Always start with the least aggressive combo. Try your finishing polish on a yellow pad first. If that clears the swirls, no need to go harder. I learned this the hard way when I started, no point taking off more clear coat than you have to.

Put 4-5 pea-sized drops of polish on the pad. Spread it around with your finger so the whole surface is slightly damp with product.

Don't try to do the whole bonnet at once. Stick to a 40cm x 40cm square. Any bigger and the polish dries out before it can do its job.

Before turning the machine on, dab it around your 40cm section to spread the dots of polish. This prevents 'sling' (aka messy white dots all over your garage walls).

Turn the machine on (usually speed 4 or 5) and move it slowly. Roughly 2-3 centimetres per second. If you move too fast, the abrasives don't have time to cut.

Go up and down, then left and right. 4-6 passes in total is usually the sweet spot.

Don't push down like you're trying to squash a spider. Just the weight of your arms is usually enough. Modern DAs need to spin to work.

Use a clean microfibre to buff off the residue. Spray a bit of IPA wipe on there to remove the polishing oils. Now, get your light out and check your work. If the swirls are gone, move to the next section.

After every section, use a brush or compressed air to blow out the spent polish and dead paint. A clogged pad won't cut and just generates heat.

Once you've done the whole car with your 'cutting' step, swap to a soft black finishing pad and a fine polish. This gives you that deep, wet look that makes people stop and look at the servo.