Machine Polishing &
Paint Correction
Rotary · Dual-action · Compounding · Swirl removal · Jeweling
Issued April 2026 · Next review April 2027
At a glance
- Task / activity
- Machine Polishing & Paint Correction
- Location
- Workshop / detailing bay (dry, well-lit)
- Personnel required
- 1 trained detailer
- Estimated duration
- 4–10+ hours per vehicle
- Prerequisite training
- Site induction · Machine polishing competency (internal sign-off) · Electrical safety basics
What is this?
Multi-stage paint correction with rotary and dual-action polishers — compounding to remove oxidation and scratches, then refining for gloss.
Performed by 1 trained detailer in the workshop bay. Typically a 4–10+ hour job per vehicle depending on correction depth.
What could hurt you?
- • Spontaneous combustion of polish-soaked towels left bunched up at end of day.
- • Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) from extended polisher use.
- • Compound spatter and dust to eyes and airways.
- • Electric shock from damaged cord or wet floor near a corded tool.
- • Pad entanglement with loose clothing or long hair near a spinning spindle.
Mandatory PPE
Sealed safety eyewear, nitrile gloves, P2 dust mask, hearing protection (rotary work >85 dB(A)), and non-slip footwear. Close-fitting clothing, long hair tied back.
See the Mandatory PPE section for tool-specific upgrades.
STOP — End-of-day towel disposal
Used polish/compound-soaked towels can self-heat and ignite (auto-oxidation) if left bunched up overnight. Before leaving the bay: store ALL soaked towels in the lidded metal container with water until the laundry collection. This is the most likely fire cause in a detailing workshop.
Mandatory PPE
-
Safety eyewear
AS/NZS 1337.1 — protects from compound spatter and sling-off. Sealed goggles when working near edges with the rotary.
-
Disposable nitrile gloves
EN ISO 374 — when handling IPA and compounds. Replace if torn or saturated.
-
P2 dust mask / respirator
AS/NZS 1716 — controls clear-coat dust and compound mist during sustained polishing.
-
Hearing protection
AS/NZS 1270 — required when rotary use exceeds 85 dB(A). Default to wearing during any rotary session.
-
Non-slip footwear
AS/NZS 2210.3 — slip-resistant sole. Workshop default.
-
Close-fitting clothing
No loose sleeves, drawstrings or jewellery near the spindle. Long hair tied back. Prevents pad entanglement.
Procedure
- 1
Pre-inspect paint under inspection lighting; tape trim and edges.
Hazards
- •Eye strain from inspection lights
- •Awkward postures during tape-up
Controls
- •Use task-appropriate LED inspection lights, not bare bulbs
- •Adjust ramp / stool height; avoid prolonged crouching
- 2
Inspect polisher, cord and pad before use.
Hazards
- ⚠Damaged cord — electric shock risk
- •Loose pad — projectile risk if spun off
Controls
- •Visual check of cord, plug, casing; tag-out damaged tools, do NOT use
- •Hand-tighten pad and confirm fully seated before powering on
- •RCD-protected outlet for all corded tools
- 3
Wipe panel with IPA dilution to remove polishing oils.
Hazards
- ⚠IPA is a Class 3 flammable solvent — flash point ~12 °C
- •Skin defatting on prolonged contact
- •Eye irritation if splashed
Controls
- ✓NO ignition sources within 3 m (no smoking, soldering, hot tools, hot polishing pads). Cap bottle immediately.
- •Apply to a microfibre cloth — never directly onto a hot panel
- •Nitrile gloves; safety eyewear
- •Bay door open for ventilation; use of small quantities only
- 4
Compound with Autostolz Heavy Cut Compound (or Autostolz One Step Polish and Compound for single-stage correction) on rotary or DA at appropriate speed.
Hazards
- ⚠Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) over long polishing periods
- •Noise — rotary commonly exceeds 85 dB(A)
- •Compound spatter to face / eyes from pad sling-off
- •Burn-through on edges — paint and clear-coat damage
- •Clear-coat dust inhalation during compound stages — P2 mask precautionary
- •One Step is Combustible Cat 4 (lighter than flammable) — keep away from heat / open flame / hot surfaces
- ⚠Pad entanglement risk with loose clothing, drawstrings, jewellery or long hair near the spindle
Controls
- ✓Rotate operators or break tasks every 60 min — track HAVS exposure; report any tingling / numbness in fingers
- •Hearing protection any time the rotary is in hand (default workshop rule)
- •Safety eyewear mandatory; sealed goggles for rotary work near edges
- •Nitrile gloves and long sleeves (close-fitting only — no flapping cuffs)
- •P2 mask for sustained polishing — primarily for clear-coat dust (Autostolz SDSs do not classify the products as hazardous / aspiration)
- •Tape edges and use lower speed near corners to avoid burn-through
- •Confirm pad is fully seated before each panel; never engage trigger off-panel
- •Maintain firm two-handed grip; release trigger immediately if pad jams or stalls
- •Storage: general chemical shelf — Combustible Cat 4 does not require flammable cabinet. Away from heat / sparks / open flames; segregate from oxidisers / strong acids / strong alkalis
- 5
Refine with Autostolz Final Finish Polish on a soft foam finishing pad — gloss enhancement and jeweling.
Hazards
- •Repetitive strain (wrist, shoulder)
- •Continued vibration exposure
- •Eye / skin contact from polish sling-off
- •Final Finish is Combustible Cat 4 — keep away from heat / open flame
Controls
- •Switch hands and posture regularly
- •Take micro-breaks (e.g. 5 min every 30 min)
- •Eyewear and gloves still required even at finishing stage
- •Storage: general chemical shelf — Combustible Cat 4 does not require flammable cabinet. Cool, ventilated; segregate from oxidisers / strong acids / strong alkalis
- 6
Wipe-down with IPA panel prep; inspect under lighting.
Hazards
- ⚠IPA solvent inhalation in poorly ventilated bay
Controls
- •Open bay door / use exhaust fan
- •Small quantities applied to microfibre, not directly to panel
- 7
Pack down and dispose of used pads / towels.
Hazards
- ⚠Spontaneous combustion of polish/compound-soaked towels — auto-oxidation in bunched-up cloth can ignite hours later
- •Sharp edges on used pads (worn velcro backing, debris)
Controls
- ✓Store ALL soaked towels in the lidded metal container with water until laundered — never bin loose. Confirm container is wet at end of day.
- •Bag and bin used pads in a sealed bag
- •Wipe down work area; coil cords loosely (no tight loops)