How to Remove 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
Step 1: Inspect the Defect
Step 2: Sand
Step 3: Compound
Step 4: Finish
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:
HIGH CUT - To eliminate P1500 sanding marks from conventional low bake clear coats and prepare the surface for MEDIUM CUT polishing, use:
Rotary - G360 Super Fast Compound with a G Mop Super High Cut Pad [RED]
Dual Action - G360 Super Fast Compound with a G Mop Super High Cut Pad [WHITE]
MEDIUM CUT - To remove process marks, rapidly eliminate heavier swirls and holograms and leave an excellent gloss finish on light colours while preparing dark colours for FINE CUT polishing, use:
Rotary & Dual Action - G360 Super Fast Compound with a G Mop Angled Yellow Compounding Foam
See our dedicated Solution pages for full details - including handling instructions and recommended speeds:
How to Use: G360 Super Fast Compound
Process Guide: G360 Super Fast System for ROTARY Polishers
Process Guide: G360 Super Fast System for DUAL ACTION Polishers
How to Use: G360 Super Fast Finish How to Use: G360 Super Fast Finish
G360 Super Fast Finish - used as a follow on from MEDIUM CUT step of G360 Super Fast Compound - 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.
FINE CUT - To further enhances gloss levels on light colours while rapidly eliminating light swirls and holograms on dark colours for an enhanced deep gloss finish, use:
Rotary - G360 Super Fast Finish with a G Mop Angled Black Finishing Foam
Dual Action - G360 Super Fast Finish with a G Mop Dual Action Finishing Foam
See our dedicated Solution pages for full details - including handling instructions and recommended speeds:
How to Use: G360 Super Fast Finish
Process Guide: G360 Super Fast System for ROTARY Polishers
Process Guide: G360 Super Fast System for DUAL ACTION Polishers
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 is designed to rapidly eliminate sanding marks and minor defects from painted and lacquered automotive surfaces.
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 is designed to rapidly eliminate swirls and holograms from painted and lacquered automotive surfaces - ideal on darker colours after using G360 Compound.
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 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 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