Toyota Tundra Forum

This simple step-by-step guide will explain how to use your circular polisher to remove paint imperfections and rapidly improve the quality of your finish. Keep in mind, circular polishers are recommended only for professional detailers or experienced hobbyists due the increased risk of PAINT BURN. If you are inexperienced with machine polishing, start with a dual action polisher and become familiar with the process. Once you become comfortable, graduate to the circular polisher.

What is a circular polisher?

A circular polisher, is sometimes referred to as a rotary or high-speed polisher. It’s called “circular” because the head spins on one axis. It spins typically from 600-3000 RPMs. This single motion allows a circular polisher to level the clear coat that surrounds a scratch so that the scratch’s “edges” disappear. Professionals who want to completely remove a deep scratch must use a circular polisher.

The heat is on! Circular polishers get much hotter than dual action polishers because the pad is spinning at a high speed. You MUST keep a circular polisher moving at all times so this heat doesn’t concentrate on one spot. It will burn through the paint in seconds.

You can minimize the risk by practicing on scrap car panels before you attempt any work on your own vehicle. You can pick up old parts at your local junk yard for a fee, but it’s definitely cheaper than repainting your vehicle!

Popular models of circular polishers are thePorter Cable 7428, the Makita 9227C, and the DeWalt 849.

A Few Facts about Clearcoat

So you may understand the thickness of clear coat, think of the cellophane wrapper on a pack of cigarettes. Remove it and press the two sides together. This thickness represents the depth of clear coat that protects your pigment layer. The outer surface of the clearcoat is the “hardest” and “densest” and is impregnated with the critical UV protection. This surface, assaulted by bugs, bird droppings and acid rain gets worn away revealing the softer underlying clearcoat which provides less resilience and protection.

The Paint Facts - Typical Industry Paint Thickness Specs.

E-Coat 1.3 mil - Electrocoat is an anticorrosion coat applied to both sides of the steel to prevent corrosion (rust).

Surface Primer 0.7 mil - Initial protection layer with texture to assist the pigment layer in bonding to the metal beneath.

Base Coat 0.6 mil The basecoat is usually 0.5 to 1 mil thick (1,000 mils equal one inch).

Clear Coat 1.9 mil - The clearcoat provides gloss for that "wet look," plus physical protection from the elements, including ultraviolet rays. The clear coat is usually between 1.5 and 2 mils thick.

Polishing Tips

• Poco a poco. (old detailers proverb) Keep the speed slow. Use your circular polisher at its slowest speed setting. This means typically between 1000 and 1200 RPM. Unless you’re planning on refinishing a vehicle, there’s no need to ever exceed 1500 RPM.
• Another equally critical factor in preventing PAINT BURN is keeping the polisher in constant motion to reduce the build up of heat. Heat build up is especially critical toward edges and corners where the paint is thinnest. It is less problematic in the center of large panels.
• Work the pad perfectly flat against the paint or with the back of the pad tilted slightly upward to avoid dragging it on the paint.

This guide will give you a good start, but you will develop your own techniques as you become more comfortable with the machine.

What problems can a circular polisher correct?

A circular polisher can remove almost any scratches or swirls and most oxidation, as long as they do not penetrate beneath the clear coat. A good way of assessing a scratch is to run your fingernail over it. If your fingernail catches in the scratch; that generally means it is too deep to be removed without professional help. Scratches and swirls that extend through to the color coat will require repainting or a touch-up at the very least. Do not attempt to remove these scratches because you can remove the entire clear coat, resulting in paint system failure.

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Welcome to our Dual Action Orbital Polishing Guide. Learn how to remove swirls and scratches, polish, and apply wax using your Porter Cable 7424 or Ultimate Detailing Machine. These guides explain proper techniques and suggest what swirl removers, polishes, waxes, and sealants will give you the very best results. The techniques described on these pages will get you started on your way to smooth, shiny paint, regardless of the age of your vehicle.

Examples of a dual action polisher include the Porter Cable 7424 6” Variable Speed Polisher, the Ultimate Detailing Machine and the Makita BO6040 Polisher. (The Makita has a dual action mode and a circular mode.)

What is a dual action polisher?

Dual Action polishers are characterized by the motion of the head. It spins on a central spindle, and this spindle rotates around an eccentric offset. A good metaphor for a dual action polisher is the earth’s orbit. The earth itself spins and it also orbits around the sun. Dual action polishers are also called orbital polishers for this reason. To the right is a simplified illustration of the underside of a dual action polisher, like the Porter Cable 7424 or the Ultimate Detailing Machine. You can see how the opening for the backing plate sits off-center. The counterweight sits opposite the backing plate to balance the weight of the pad and plate to prevent wobbling.

The rotating and orbiting of the pad produces what many refer to as a "jiggling" motion. This irregular motion prevents the polisher from burning the paint, which refers to removal of paint below the clear coat surface. Dual action polishers are very USER FRIENDLY because they produce very little heat compared to a rotary polisher.

The same safety feature which reduces the possibility of damage from a dual action polisher also prevents it from removing very deep scratches. While a dual action polisher will improve the appearance of scratches and remove most swirls, it does not produce enough heat to cut deep into the paint.
If you need deeper scratch removal, this will require a rotary or circular polisher. Keep in mind, rotary polishers in inexperienced hands can quickly burn the paint. The pad spins at high speeds and its up to the operator to keep the polisher moving at all times. If the polisher lingers for a second too long on one spot, it can burn through the paint. See our Circular Polishing Guide for more information.


Dual action polishers will improve the texture and luster of automotive paint with virtually no risk. They are the most user-friendly option for beginners and professionals, and they consistently produce beautiful results.

So does this mean now you know how to wash your truck...I wont be allowed to wash it because I might do it wrong??

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Mine: 07 5.7 CM 4x4 SR5 Tundra White
MINE & His: 07 5.7 DC 4x4 TRD Tundra Radiant Red

Nope Sure Don't!

Wow! One helluva thread! Too bad I've never cared enough to wash my car...

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2007 Toyota Tundra 4x4 DC SR5 5.7

But now you have a Truck!

Touche salesman.....

excellent information! thanks for sharing it

Thanx for the great info! I put alot of it into practice today, spent the better part of 8hrs cleaning, washing, and waxing the Tundra.

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Black, '07 Tundra DC, SR5, 5.7, 4x4, tow pkg

Your quite welcome, How did it turn out?