Do you wish your car’s paint looked a little better? Maybe you’re missing the shine that it once had. Polishing is a tried and true way to make your paint turn heads.
What is car polishing?
Polishing is the process of treating scratches and contaminants of your car’s clear coat by removing a small amount of it. Many scratches on your car are very shallow, so polishing away a small amount of the car’s clear coat is a way to treat them, essentially removing them. However, because your car has a limited amount of clear coat, you can only polish away so much. Polishing is not a way to treat deep scratches that go beyond the clear coat.
Reasons to Polish Your Car
There are two main reasons to polish your car:
Scratches
Your car takes a lot. Every time you’re out on the road, your car is practically a target for whatever the environment can throw at it. From rocks being kicked up by other vehicles to dogs jumping up, there are unavoidable dangers out there that can scratch your car. Polishing is a way to treat all but the deepest scratches.
Contamination
Contamination is a catchall term to describe other types of damage your car’s paint can suffer while on duty. Contamination can occur from things like tree sap, road tar, and more, and is unremovable by washing alone.
Types of Car Polishers
There are different Polishers that you can choose from. Some polishers may also be usable as a waxer or buffer.
Standard Orbit
These polishers simply orbit the pad. These are the cheapest polishers but don’t allow for much polishing power. They are more so used for applying waxes evenly.
Random Orbit
Random orbit polishers are a step above the prior. They orbit the pad, as before, but also allow it to spin freely on its axis. These are the recommended choice for beginners because they are the safest for your car’s finish.
Dual Action
These are another step upward. Dual action polishers are the choice of professionals, but they can be riskier for beginners. They work by orbiting the pad and spinning it on its axis forcibly.
Rotary
The final type is warned against for beginners. Rotary polishers spin the pad alone. This can easily cut through more paint than you want.
Buffing vs. Polishing: What’s the Difference?
What’s the difference between buffing and polishing, if any? Simply put, polishing is generally considered a form of buffing. Buffing is a broad term that means: to rub something to improve its finish. Polishing, in car terms, is specifically referring to using polish to treat scratches and contaminants of the paint.
FAQs
Can I polish my car by hand?
Absolutely. Polishing by hand is good practice for beginners to get used to the process. However, most professionals only polish by machine.
Will a car polisher ruin my car paint?
It can if it’s used improperly. Random orbit polishers are the safest to use on a vehicle to prevent mishaps.
Final Thought
We hope that this article has helped you to understand polishing more and shown you that you can do it yourself. Cheers!
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