Can Minor Scratches Be Repaired by Polishing?
2 Answers
Polishing can repair minor scratches. Car polishing is a step in the car detailing process, performed before waxing, sealing, or coating. Here is more related information: 1. Light scratches: After prolonged use, improper care may cause minor scratches on the car's paint surface that do not expose the primer. These scratches are quite visible under sunlight and can usually be removed with professional polishing. 2. Paint oxidation: When a car is exposed to strong sunlight for extended periods, the oils in the paint film gradually evaporate, significantly reducing the paint's gloss and depth over time. An oxidation layer forms on the surface, turning it white and shortening the paint's lifespan. Severe oxidation can be repaired through compounding and polishing. 3. Traffic film: While driving, a strong electrostatic layer forms on the car's paint surface, which attracts dust, grease, and other contaminants from the air. Over time, this forms a hard traffic film that can cause oxidation and corrosion of the paint. This can be treated with compounding and polishing methods.
When dealing with these minor scratches, I've found that polishing can indeed fix them, as long as they're very shallow—like marks from car wash brushes or tree branches. When I do it myself, I use a polishing machine with a soft sponge and specialized polishing compound, gently working along the direction of the scratch a few times. The paint surface then becomes smooth and shiny again, looking as good as new. However, remember that each polishing session removes a thin layer of paint, so don't overdo it—once or twice a year is enough. If the scratch is deep enough to expose the metal or plastic underneath, polishing won't help, and you'll need a paint repair. In short, fixing minor scratches is simple and cost-effective, and doing it yourself can be quite rewarding.
