Chemical Guys Rebound Scratch & Swirl Remover is a one-step polish for motorcycle paint. You use it as a scratch remover: it takes swirls, light scratches and water spots out of the paint and leaves a clear, deep gloss. You can remove swirls by hand or with a polishing machine, without having to choose a compound first and a separate polish afterwards.
Rebound contains no fillers and no wax. That is the big difference from a product that only hides scratches: what you see after wiping off is the paint itself. The formula uses refined abrasives that break down finer as you work. You start by levelling the scratch and finish with gloss, in the same pass.
Rebound at a glance
Detail | Rebound |
|---|---|
Type | One-step polish |
Sizes | 118 ml and 473 ml |
Suitable for | Motorcycle paint, clear coat, carbon and glossy plastic fairing parts |
Application | By hand or machine, work in and wipe off |
Good to know | No fillers or wax |
Removing swirls by hand: when it works
By hand you deal with swirls, light scratches and water spots. That works well on small areas, a motorcycle fairing or a mudguard. A deep scratch that your fingernail catches in will not come out by hand, not even with a good scratch remover. For that you need a machine and a heavier step. We explain how in our guide to polishing your car and removing swirls.
Rebound is also safe on clear optical plastic screens and works on every paint colour. Black and dark paint shows swirls most clearly, so that is where you notice the difference first.
How to work with Rebound
Wash and dry the paint first. Never polish over grit or dust, because you will grind new fine scratches into the paint yourself. A pre-wash and a clean wash method prevent that, see washing your car without scratches.
Strip oil and wax residue from the panel. A polish works best on a clean surface. A panel wipe such as Bilt Hamber Cleanser-Fluid removes polish oils, silicones and wax residue.
Work cool and in the shade. Warm paint dries the polish too quickly. Pick a section of about 40 by 40 cm so you keep control of the result.
Use a small amount. Put a few drops on a clean applicator, for example the Koch Chemie Application Sponge (2-pack). More product does not give a better result, only more wiping afterwards.
Work it in with calm, overlapping strokes. Use even pressure and work in straight lines, first left to right and then top to bottom. Keep going until the polish turns thinner and almost clear: that is when the abrasives have done their job.
Wipe off with a clean microfibre cloth. Remove the residue, turn the cloth over regularly and check the result with a lamp or in sunlight. If the swirl is still there, repeat the step on the same spot.
Common mistakes when polishing by hand
Working too large an area. Whoever does a whole fairing in one go lets the polish dry before it is worked in.
Too much pressure in one spot. Spread the pressure and keep moving, especially near edges and body lines.
Using a dirty cloth. One grain of grit in the cloth is enough for new scratches. Choose a clean side for every panel.
Judging the result under a single light. After wiping off, look again under different light to see what really happened.
Forgetting protection. Rebound contains no wax, so the paint is bare after polishing. Finish with a wax or sealant.
What to combine with Rebound
For hand work you need very little. Besides a good applicator, a large, soft cloth is handy for wiping off, for example the Chemical Guys Big Monster Microfiber Towel at 60 x 40 cm. If you want more pressure and grip, the D-CON Delta Cutting Hand Applicator Pad sits well in the hand. Prefer to compare with other products? Read our best car polish guide, or browse all polish and compound.
A clean microfibre cloth makes a big difference when wiping off. Which colour and thickness (GSM) to use for which job is covered in our guide to microfibre cloths. Hand work is also easier with a good applicator from our applicators and foam pads category. Keep the cloths for paint separate from those for wheels or glass, and the risk of scratches stays small.