Buffer Trails

Buffer trails are one of several names for microscopic scratches which can show up on highly polished surfaces as imperfections in the finish. Buffer trails are specifically micro-maring which is introduced as part of the polishing process, and any system of machine polishing will use ever finer abrasives to reduce the micro-scratches by the previous stage until the scratches are so fine they are invisible unless seen under a microscope.

If not done properly, the car will be left with buffer trails, or Rotary Induced Machine Marring. The polishes and compounds used in machine polishes contain oils to act as lubricants, and these oils are very good at filling and hiding micro-scratches. So an essential part of the process of machine polishing is to wipe the car down with alcohol to remove the oils, and then examining the car under harsh light from multiple angles, as buffer trails are often only visible under the right conditions.

Car waxes can hide buffer marks, however more modern coatings do not and may even make them more visible.

What it means

Buffer trails are the marks left behind when a polishing machine has been used in a way that cuts the paint but does not finish it properly. The pad and compound create fine, directional scratches in the clearcoat that follow the movement of the machine. Under sun or an inspection lamp these marks show as shimmery lines or ghosted shapes that move as you walk around the car, often described as holograms.

Why it matters

• Ruins the finish after polishing: A car with buffer trails can look shiny at a glance, but in good light the surface looks smeared and streaky instead of clean and even.
• Signals poor machine work: Heavy buffer trails are a giveaway that aggressive pads and compounds have been used without proper refinement, or that the machine has been handled badly.
• Can look worse than wash swirls: On dark colours, strong buffer trails can appear more obvious and artificial than everyday wash marks, especially on bonnets and doors.
• Must be corrected before protection: Waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings will simply lock buffer trails in, so the paint needs refining first.

Where you’ll see it

You will see buffer trails mentioned on detailing inspections, paint correction quotes and bodyshop quality control reports. Common phrases include rotary buffer trails, holograms on bonnet or machine polishing marks on doors. They show most clearly under petrol station lights, showroom spotlights or bright sun, particularly on darker paintwork.

Context

Buffer trails sit in the same family as swirl marks, wash marring and hazing, but are more directional and clearly related to machine movement. They are usually created by rotary polishers with wool or aggressive foam pads, used at high speed, with too much pressure or without adequate refinement stages. Modern correction processes typically use a heavier cutting stage where necessary, followed by one or more finishing stages, often with a dual action polisher and fine polish, to remove buffer trails and leave a crisp, even finish.

Common mistakes

• Using a rotary polisher with an aggressive pad and compound and then skipping the refining stages needed to clear buffer trails.
• Polishing too fast or with too much pressure, tilting the pad on edges and curves so the machine cuts hard and leaves obvious trails.
• Working with dirty or clogged pads that scour the surface instead of refining it, adding fresh trails as you go.
• Applying wax, sealant or ceramic coating over buffer trails and then blaming the protection product for streaks or uneven reflections.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 21/11/2025 14:53