How to Avoid Holograms in Car Paint: A Guide to Proper Polishing Techniques

Nothing ruins a freshly polished car faster than holograms.

You know the ones—those ghostly swirls and arc-like patterns that only seem to show up under direct sunlight or showroom lights. You spend hours detailing your ride, step back to admire your work, and boom—there they are. It’s frustrating, especially when you thought you were doing everything right.

But here’s the good news: holograms are preventable. With the right tools, techniques, and a little know-how, you can polish your car to perfection without leaving behind these pesky marks. Whether you’re a DIY detailer or just trying to understand the process before handing your car over to a pro, this guide breaks it all down.

Let’s get into how to avoid holograms in your car’s paint—without getting overwhelmed by technical jargon.

What Are Holograms, Really?

Holograms—sometimes called buffer trails or machine marks—are fine, linear scratches that reflect light in a way that creates a 3D-looking swirl pattern. They’re most commonly caused by improper polishing, especially when using rotary polishers or aggressive pads with poor technique.

Unlike regular swirl marks (which are often caused by washing and drying), holograms are usually inflicted during the paint correction process itself. So if you’re polishing your car in hopes of making it shine, you’ll want to avoid turning a good detail into a patchy light show.

What Causes Holograms in Car Paint?

Before you can prevent holograms, it helps to understand what causes them:

• Wrong type of machine: Rotary polishers in untrained hands can easily cause damage. Dual-action (DA) polishers are much safer for beginners.
  
• Using the wrong pad: Wool or aggressive foam pads can create holograms if not used properly.
  
• Improper pressure or technique: Pressing too hard, moving too quickly or inconsistently across panels, or not allowing polish to work properly can all lead to trails.
  
• Low-quality or old polish: Polishes that are too gritty or dried out can scuff the surface instead of refining it.
  
• Skipping finishing steps: Not following up a heavy cut with a proper finishing polish and pad can leave behind micro-marring and holograms.
  
• Dirty pads or contaminated paint: Reusing a pad full of spent polish or working on a dirty surface will grind contaminants into the paint, causing fine scratches.
  
  

The Basics of Proper Polishing

Let’s start with the fundamentals. Proper polishing is all about three things: the right tools, the right technique, and a clean working environment.

1. Start with a Clean Surface

Before you even think about touching a polisher, wash and decontaminate your car thoroughly. This includes:

• Two-bucket wash method
  
• Clay bar treatment
  
• Iron remover if needed
  
  

Any dirt, brake dust, or fallout left behind can get dragged across the paint during polishing, leaving swirls and scratches.

2. Choose the Right Polisher

For most DIY detailers, a dual-action (DA) polisher is your best bet. Unlike a rotary polisher, a DA spins and oscillates, reducing the risk of burning through paint or creating holograms.

If you’re experienced and using a rotary for heavier correction work, just be extra cautious and follow with a finishing polish to remove any holograms.

3. Pick the Right Pad and Polish Combo

• Cutting pads (more aggressive) are used to remove defects.
  
• Polishing pads (medium) refine the finish.
  
• Finishing pads (softest) remove haze and bring out gloss.
  
  

Always pair your pad with the appropriate polish. Don’t use a heavy-cut compound with a finishing pad, and vice versa.

4. Work in Small Sections

Divide your panel into manageable sections (about 2’ x 2’), and focus on one area at a time. This helps you control heat, pressure, and polish breakdown—critical to avoiding holograms.

5. Use Proper Technique

• Apply light to moderate pressure, and let the machine do the work.
  
• Keep the pad flat against the surface—tilting it can leave marks.
  
• Slow, overlapping passes are key. Move too fast and you won’t let the polish break down properly.
  
• Don’t dry buff—always ensure there’s enough product on the pad to lubricate the surface.
  
  

6. Inspect as You Go

Use an inspection light or bring your car into the sun to check your progress. Don’t wait until the end—holograms are often easier to correct immediately after they’re made.

Finishing Like a Pro

Even if you’ve done everything right during the cutting stage, a proper finishing step is crucial.

After heavy polishing or compounding, always follow up with:

• A softer pad (finishing foam or microfiber)
  
• A finishing polish (less abrasive)
  
  

This stage removes any leftover micro-marring and brings out maximum clarity and shine. Think of it like buffing your shoes after applying the polish—it’s where the gloss really comes to life.

Pro Tips to Avoid Holograms

Here are a few extra pointers from experienced detailers:

• Keep pads clean. Use compressed air, a brush, or clean them between sections to prevent buildup.
  
• Don’t overuse the product. More isn’t always better—excess polish can gum up and cause haze.
  
• Mind your lighting. Use LED or halogen lights at different angles to reveal holograms you might miss under standard garage lights.
  
• Tape off trim and edges. Polishing over plastic or panel edges can damage them and sling residue.
  
• Practice on a test panel. If you’re new to polishing, try your technique on a junkyard panel or a less visible area first.

What If You Already Have Holograms?

If you’ve already spotted holograms on your paint, don’t panic. They’re fixable!

You’ll need to:

1. Identify the areas with a proper light source.
   
2. Use a finishing pad and finishing polish with a DA polisher.
   
3. Work slowly and evenly over the affected area, using minimal pressure.
   
4. Inspect frequently to avoid over-polishing.
   

In extreme cases where rotary holograms are deeply embedded, a professional may need to do a full multi-stage correction to restore the finish.

Prevention Is Key

Most of the time, holograms are a result of rushing the job or using the wrong tool for the task. Polishing should be a careful, methodical process—don’t let your eagerness for a showroom shine cause more work in the end.

If you’re unsure about tackling it yourself, there’s no shame in calling in the pros.

Let Haus of Cars Bring the Shine—Without the Holograms

At Haus of Cars, we know that true paint perfection doesn’t come from guesswork—it comes from experience, precision, and a passion for cars. Whether your vehicle needs a light polish, full paint correction, or premium detailing, we’ve got the tools, the talent, and the care to do it right the first time.

As Burnaby’s trusted one-stop shop for everything automotive—from detailing and repairs to sourcing and sales—our team treats every car like it’s our own. And when it comes to paint? No swirls, no holograms—just pure, mirror-like gloss.

Stop by Haus of Cars today or book your detailing service now to experience paint perfection the way it was meant to be. Let us bring out the best in your ride.