Does Full Car Polishing Have a Significant Impact on Car Paint?

[VanMaci]

Full car polishing does cause some damage to the car paint, but it is not very significant. If polishing is done only once or twice, it won't cause much harm to the paint. However, frequent car polishing can damage the paint to some extent, as the paint becomes thinner with each polishing, leading to a decline in the car's self-maintenance ability. Car polishing involves grinding away imperfections and oxidized or aged paint on the car's surface. It can remove the oxidized layer, effectively treat scratches, and make the paint smoother and shinier. Polishing also cleans the car body, effectively removing dirt and corrosive substances, thereby restoring the cleanliness of the paint. Polishing the car body before waxing or ceramic coating can enhance the results and prolong the duration of the treatment. The car polishing process is as follows: Washing the car: Before polishing, the car body must be thoroughly cleaned to remove dust particles and avoid secondary damage to the paint. Sanding: After washing, the car body needs rough sanding, using water sandpaper of different sizes depending on the size of surface imperfections and scratches. Polishing: After sanding, use a polishing machine along with polishing wax to perform detailed polishing on the sanded car body. Mirror restoration: After polishing, a mirror treatment agent is used to restore the mirror-like effect of the car body, followed by waxing.

[MacJune]

I just bought a used car and took it to a professional shop for a full-body polish. The paint now shines like new, with all the minor scratches gone—it looks super cool! However, polishing involves machine grinding to remove the oxidized surface layer, which thins the clear coat each time. Doing it too frequently weakens the paint's protective ability, making it prone to cracking and fading under sun and wind exposure. Now, I only polish once a year and immediately apply wax or a ceramic coating afterward to lock in the shine and protect against UV damage. When washing the car, water beads roll right off—it’s incredibly satisfying. In short, polishing has a significant impact: the upside is the enhanced appearance, while the downside is potential paint damage. The key is not to overdo it and to find a skilled technician for the job.

[IrisLee]

As a paint treatment, polishing can rejuvenate an old car, instantly removing micro-scratches and water spot marks. However, it significantly impacts the paint—each polishing session removes 5-10 microns of thickness. Since the clear coat is typically only a few dozen microns thick, frequent polishing can thin it, making the paint more susceptible to corrosion and discoloration. It's recommended to polish only when the body shows obvious oxidation or discoloration, followed immediately by applying a sealant for protection and reinforcement. Regular washing and waxing can reduce the need for polishing. Professional polishing uses soft pads with light pressure, avoiding DIY mistakes that can damage the paint. Regularly inspect the paint's condition to find a balance that ensures the car's longevity.

[ElijahLee]

Having driven for over a decade, polishing is like giving your car a deep beauty treatment—it smooths out minor imperfections and restores shine. But don’t underestimate its impact: each polishing session thins the protective layer, and doing it too often can make the paint thinner and more fragile, increasing the risk of aging. I only polish when the paint looks dull or has slight oxidation, and once every two years is enough. After polishing, applying a ceramic coating or wax forms a barrier against oxidation and acid rain damage. Washing the car becomes easier as water doesn’t linger. Combined with daily care, like parking in the shade, it extends the paint’s lifespan—don’t let polishing become a burden.