Car Polishing, How Do I Do It?

Understanding Car Polish

Car polish works by removing a thin layer of clear coat using abrasive properties to restore a glossy finish. This process eliminates minor scratches, swirl marks, and oxidation that dull your paintwork over time.

Step 1: Thorough Washing

Before any polishing takes place, your vehicle must be thoroughly washed. Start with a snow foam pre-wash to eliminate large dirt particles before making contact with the paint. This prevents scratching during the hand wash stage.

Use the two-bucket method for the contact wash - one bucket with shampoo solution and one for rinsing your wash mitt. Work from the top of the car downwards, as the lower panels are typically the dirtiest.

Step 2: Decontamination

After washing, the next critical step is decontaminating the paintwork using the clay bar method. Apply liquid detailer to the surface and gently glide the clay bar across the paint.

The clay bar removes embedded contaminants that washing alone cannot shift, including tar, tree sap, industrial fallout, and similar contaminants that become bonded to your paintwork over time.

Step 3: Drying

Dry your vehicle completely using high-quality microfibre towels. Any remaining water spots will interfere with the polishing process and can cause uneven results.

Use a patting or blotting motion rather than dragging the towel across the surface. For large flat panels, you can use a drying towel in a pulling motion.

Step 4: Polish Application

Now you're ready to apply the polish. Use approximately a pound coin-sized amount of polish on your applicator pad. Work on one panel at a time - never try to polish the entire car in one go.

Apply the polish using overlapping motions, working the product gently across the surface. Focus on small imperfections and allow the polish to work into scratches and swirl marks.

Application Tips

• Work in the shade: Direct sunlight can cause the polish to dry too quickly
• Use light pressure: Let the product do the work rather than pressing hard
• Overlap your passes: This ensures complete and even coverage
• Work in small sections: Complete one area before moving to the next

Step 5: Buffing

The final step is buffing off the polish residue. Use a clean, folded microfibre cloth and work in circular motions until you achieve a glossy appearance.

Turn the cloth frequently to expose clean sections, and use multiple cloths if necessary. The goal is to remove all product residue while revealing the restored shine underneath.