Polishing your vehicle’s paint can remove scratches, etching, swirls, and oxidation. For defects that run deep, it may be necessary to polish a car using a machine. If your car’s paint only has minor imperfections, you should be able to remove them by polishing the vehicle by hand.
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Polishing
You should only polish your car in good weather when it’s not too hot outside. Before you begin polishing, clean the vehicle’s surface to remove any contaminants. You can use a car wash soap, shampoo, or steam cleaner to do that.
Let the car’s surface dry thoroughly, then use a clay bar to remove any remaining contaminants and give the car a smooth finish. Lubricate the clay before you use it. When you’ve finished, wipe the car’s surface with a microfiber cloth.
Be Sure to Polish the Vehicle Carefully
Car polish has different levels of abrasiveness that are meant to be used with different types of paint. If you don’t know what type of paint your vehicle has, start with a minimally abrasive car polish to avoid damaging the paint. You may find that that product doesn’t work on every area. You may have to use two or more products to polish the entire car and achieve the results you want.
Work on one small section at a time. Place a tablespoon of polish on a foam or microfiber applicator pad, not directly on the car’s paint. Use your fingertips to press on the pad as you move it in circles. Continue until there is only a thin layer of polish on the surface. Buff the residue from that area with a microfiber cloth before the residue has a chance to dry.
Continue the process, working on one small area at a time. Replace the applicator pads as necessary. Take your time so you get good results. Once you’ve finished polishing, you can wax the car and apply paint sealant.
If Your Car’s Paint Has Severe Damage, Get the Vehicle Repainted
Polishing a car can remove minor imperfections and restore a vehicle’s appearance, but sometimes polishing isn’t enough and a vehicle needs a fresh coat of paint. If that’s the case, Innovative Restorations in Wallingford, Connecticut, can help.
We have an in-house mixing system and a color database that includes information on both new and antique paint colors. If you’d prefer a custom color, we can make it happen.
Contact us today to get an estimate for vehicle repainting services.
