Does car polishing affect the paint?
2 Answers
Car polishing has a slight impact on the paint, but it's minimal. Most sedans undergo polishing treatment to achieve a more radiant appearance. Car polishing is a step in the auto detailing process, performed before waxing, sealing, or coating. It's essential to have polishing done at a professional detailing shop to ensure the quality of the polishing compound and minimize potential damage. The coarseness of the polishing compound used depends on the degree of oxidation of the paint. After polishing and applying mirror glaze treatment, the paint surface must be waxed to complete the final protective layer, ensuring optimal protection for the vehicle.
I've been driving for ten years and have firsthand experience with polishing. Polishing does affect the car paint—it works by using abrasives to remove the outermost oxidized layer to restore shine. Done well, it can make the paint shine like new, but frequent polishing or overly aggressive techniques can thin the clear coat. My advice is to avoid polishing for the first five years on a new car, and limit it to once a year for older cars. Last time I went to a professional shop for polishing, they first checked the paint thickness with a gauge before starting and used the finest abrasive. After polishing, they immediately applied a ceramic coating for protection, and three years later, the paint is still in great condition. Remember: polishing is an emergency measure, not routine maintenance—thinned paint is more prone to sun fading.
