Vehicle polishing is an extensively misinterpreted procedure, but one that is actually important to make the paintwork look as glossy as possible. In this article, we will be going through exactly what the function of a vehicle polish is, the risks, constraints, and the preparation needed to get the very best surface.

Vehicle polishing is the process of eliminating minor clear coat damage (scratches and swirl marks) using a polishing liquid to flatten the clear coat which increases the gloss level. The polishing process can be performed by a device or by hand and must be followed by safeguarding the paint utilizing a wax, sealant or finish.

Polish Isn't the Same as Wax

This is maybe among the most significant mistaken beliefs in car care. A lot of car owners fall into the trap of using the terms "wax" and "polish", interchangeably, however they have really various functions.

Vehicle polishes are slightly abrasive, suggesting they have the capability to flatten the clear coat (the top layer of paint on the car). This eliminates any light flaws, normally inflicted during the wash process by utilizing sponges, brushes or other aggressive methods to clean up the paintwork. The general aim is to improve the gloss level. Put simply, the flatter the clearcoat, the shinier the paint.

Waxes are not abrasive and leave a protective layer on the paintwork to help protect it from UV rays, dirt, roadway gunk etc. They do not have the capability to flatten the clear coat considering that they do not include abrasives. Polishes do not secure the paintwork, so it is necessary to wax after polishing to protect the surface.

The confusion between waxes and polishes probably arises from the underlying claims that they both make the paint appearance shinier. Waxes tend to include chemicals that will add some level of gloss to the paintwork. Nevertheless, they do not have almost as much of an impact as polishing. A truly shiny surface originates from the flatness of the clear coat, not what you place on top.

How Does Polishing Work?

We've touched on this already by saying that polishes are abrasive and help to flatten the clear coat, nevertheless, it actually needs a bit more description. The clear coat on a car is very hardly ever totally flat and will include some level of damage unless the vehicle has actually been recently polished and well-maintained.

Polishes include mild abrasives in a liquid format which are developed to remove the damaged layer of clear coat, to reveal a fresh, flat layer of paint. They can be used using a maker polisher, or by hand with a foam or microfiber pad. They are used in circular motions, on a little area at a time and infiltrated the paintwork with the aim of getting rid of an even layer. When the polish has been operated in, the residue can be buffed away utilizing a microfiber towel. It may take numerous attempts in the very same location to achieve the level of surface that is needed.

What Types of Scratches Can Polishing Remove?

Polishing is only efficient in getting rid of really fine clear coat scratches. It is not efficient in eliminating scratches that have actually gone through to the base coat, which typically appears white in colour. Polishes are just designed to actually fine-tune the paintwork to a mirror finish.

In order to handle much deeper clear coat scratches, other methods can be used rather. The most typical is called intensifying. Compounds are still utilized in the same way as polishes and exist in a liquid format consisting of abrasives, but they have a higher level of "cut" (abrasion), compared to polishes. This indicates they are more efficient in efficiently removing clear coat damage. Remember though that they can not handle much deeper scratches that have penetrated the skim coat, as this will require the addition of paint.

Compounds can in some cases leave some very light "hazing" since they have a higher level of abrasion. Intensifying is typically followed up by polishing to fine-tune the paintwork and eliminate the hazing to leave a glossier surface. This is known as a two-stage paint correction, the first stage being compounded to eliminate clear coat scratches, and the 2nd being polishing to refine the finish.

There is likewise another technique used to correct clear coat scratches, called damp sanding. This is a lot more aggressive than intensifying and is utilized to deal with extreme clear coat damage. It will leave a haze behind, which can be eliminated with a compound followed by a car polishing Singapore to expose the shiniest finish possible.