To remove medium to heavy scratches and oxidation, we recommend compounding the surface with a high speed buffer, cutting pad and compound (For a complete listing of Car Brite compounds, see the Compounds section of the Products page).If only light scratches and oxidation are present, buff the surface with a mildly abrasive glaze or polish and polishing pad.If the scratches and oxidation warrant compounding, the compound used should be aggressive enough to correct the imperfections but appropriate for the vehicle’s paint system (conventional or basecoat/clearcoat).To identify your vehicle’s paint system, hand-apply a medium-duty compound with an applicator pad to an inconspicuous spot on the paint. If color comes off on the pad, you’re working with a conventional system. If not, you have a basecoat/clearcoat system.The thickness of the exterior paint layer of conventional systems is 3 - 4 mils (1 mil = 1/1000 of an inch), while the thickness of the clearcoat layer is 1 - 1.5 mils. Therefore, you can use a much more aggressive product on a conventional finish than a basecoat/clearcoat finish.When compounding, set the buffer speed at no higher than 1800 - 2000 rpm, and use either a wool or foam cutting pad. Wool cutting pads tend to generate more heat than foam pads - increasing the amount of cut - and often leave more swirl marks.If a paint thickness gauge is available, measure the total thickness of the area you plan to compound. Then measure the thickness periodically as you buff, ensuring that you don’t remove more than .5 mils of paint (especially from a clearcoat layer).Select your compound accordingly, and buff the painted surface as follows:Make sure the painted surface is cool before buffingApply a moderate amount of product to surfaceDon’t allow the product to dry on surfaceDon’t mix buffing productsMoisten pad before buffing (especially foam pads)Buff slowly in shoulder width area, moving buffer side-to-side, length-wise with panelSpur pad regularly with pad spur (never a screwdriver!)Keep pad flat on surface, applying light even pressureBring buffer off painted surface before stoppingWipe off residue with clean, soft clothThis process is illustrated in greater detail in the Removing Scratches, Oxidation and Swirl Marks section of the Professional Automotive Reconditioning process.