How to Remove Dirt Nibs from Clear Coat
Before After - Removing Dirt Nibs from Clear Coat

Even in well-maintained spray booths, it’s not uncommon for a freshly painted surface to end up with dirt nibs- tiny pieces of dust or debris that settle on the clear coat during application or curing. While small, these imperfections can catch the light and ruin an otherwise flawless finish.

This guide outlines a quick and reliable method to remove dirt nibs and restore the clear coat to a smooth, high-gloss finish using Farécla's G360 polishing system.

What Are Dirt Nibs?

Dirt nibs are minor surface defects caused by airborne contaminants that settle on wet clear coat. Once cured, these small raised particles become part of the hardened surface. Left untreated, they can cause texture, disrupt reflections, and lower the quality of the finish.

How to Remove Dirt Nibs – Step-by-Step
Removing Dirt Nibs Process (Video)
Products Used in This Solution
Where to get these products

How to Remove Dirt Nibs – Step-by-Step

Inspecting Dirt Nibs in Clear Coat

Step 1: Inspect the Defect

If necessary use an LED inspection light to highlight dirt nibs. Focus only on the affected area - full panel rework is usually unnecessary.
Sanding Dirt Nibs - P1500

Step 2: Sand

Fit a P1500 DA disc to a dual-action sander and lightly sand over the nib. Your aim is to knock it flat without cutting too deep into the clear coat. Tip: Sand just enough to flatten the imperfection - you’re not trying to remove the entire top layer.
Compound Dirt Nibs with G360

Step 3: Compound

Follow up with G360 Super Fast Compound on a yellow angled foam pad to remove the P1500 sanding marks and restore clarity to the clear coat. - Apply a small amount of compound. - Use a rotary or dual-action polisher with moderate pressure. - Work the area until the sanding marks are fully removed. - Wipe clean with a microfibre cloth. Why G360? It delivers permanent results without fillers, so you’re seeing the true finish.
Polishing Dirt Nibs with G360 Finish

Step 4: Finish

To refine the gloss and eliminate any remaining haze or swirls, use G360 Finish with a black angled foam pad. - Use lighter pressure and lower speed. - Polish until a deep, swirl-free gloss is achieved.

Removing Dirt Nibs Process (Video)

How to Remove Dirt Nibs from Clear Coat – Fast, Simple Fix #Shorts

Dirt nibs in clear coat? Here's a quick, permanent way to remove them – no fillers, no reworks.

How to Use: G360 Super Fast Compound How to Use: G360 Super Fast Compound

G360 Super Fast Compound can be used to eliminate 3000 grit sanding and polish rapidly from P1500 to a deep gloss finish.

To replace sanding with 3000 grit first use a Farécla Super High Cut Pad (GMC650), and then remove process marks created by step 1 using a G Mop Angled Compounding Foam (GMC622).

  1. Ensure surface is clean, dry and cool to the touch
  2. Shake bottle well before use
  3. Apply a small amount of product onto the surface and spread across the defect area
  4. Start at 1500rpm with the Super High Cut Pad at a slight angle, and finish at 900rpm with the pad flat to the surface
  5. Switch pad to the G Mop Angled Compounding Foam
  6. Apply a small amount of product onto the surface
  7. Polish briefly at 900-1300rpm
  8. Wipe clean with a G Plus Finishing Cloth and repeat if necessary
How to Use: G360 Super Fast Finish How to Use: G360 Super Fast Finish

G360 Super Fast Finish can be used to further enhance gloss levels of light colours and on dark colours to rapidly eliminate light swirls and holograms and leave an enhanced deep gloss finish.

Farécla recommend using with the G Mop Angled Finishing Foam (GMF622) - recommended speed may vary depending on your chosen applicator.

  1. Ensure surface is clean, dry and cool to the touch
  2. Shake bottle well before use
  3. Apply a small amount of product onto the surface
  4. Spread over the surface and polish at 800 - 1100 RPM
  5. Work in small areas at a time, keeping the applicator flat to the surface
  6. Wipe clean and repeat if necessary
How to Use: Clean and Protect How to Use: Clean and Protect

1. Spray a light mist onto the surface.

2. Use a clean, G Plus Finishing Cloth to immediately wipe off polishing residues, glue lines etc.

3. Using a dry area of the cloth, or ideally a 2nd clean, dry microfibre cloth, buff the surface.

For tougher contamination like birdlime, allow the product to dwell for a few seconds before wiping

If left and dried on the surface – wet with more product

What Are Dirt Nibs? What Are Dirt Nibs?

Dirt nibs are small surface defects that occur when airborne contaminants settle on wet clear coat during spraying. Once the coating cures, these particles harden into the finish, creating tiny raised areas that disrupt gloss and surface clarity. Denibbing is the term commonly used to describe the process of addressing these defects.

Products Used in This Solution

G360 SUPER FAST COMPOUND - Range Photo of 1 KG, 500 G and 100 G SKU(s) on a white background
G360 Super Fast Compound

G360 Super Fast Compound is designed to rapidly eliminate sanding marks and minor defects from painted and lacquered automotive surfaces.

Image of 1 Yellow Pad - Text Underneath Reads "150 mm" and "180 mm"
New
G Mop Angled Yellow Compounding Foams

150 mm & 180 mm | The G Mop Yellow Angled Compounding Foam provides an improved cut and gloss of our standard yellow pads, with enhanced handling over our previous flexible yellow pads.

G360 SUPER FAST FINISH - Range Photo of 1 L, 500 ML SKU(s) on a white background
G360 Super Fast Finish

G360 Super Fast Finish is designed to rapidly eliminate swirls and holograms from painted and lacquered automotive surfaces - ideal on darker colours after using G360 Compound.

Image of 1 Black Pad - Text Underneath Reads "150 mm"
New
G Mop Angled Black Finishing Foams

150 mm | The G Mop Angled Finishing Foam uses a new grade of foam which is slightly firmer than the grade used in previous Farécla Finishing Foams

G PLUS FINISHING CLOTH - 1 Unfolded Yellow Cloths on a White Background
G Plus Microfibre Finishing Cloth

G Plus Finishing Cloths are ideal for quick cleaning and drying jobs. Its microfibre technology grips dust and small dirt particles, and the cloth’s edgeless finish prevents damaging and scratches. 

CLEAN AND PROTECT - Photo of 1L size SKU(s) on a white background
Farécla Clean and Protect

Clean and Protect is an easy to use “wipe on, wipe off” product - rapidly removing contaminants from paint, glass, rubber and plastics, whilst leaving a silicone-free layer of protection to the surface 

Where to get these products