How Long Does Car Polishing Take?
3 Answers
Full car polishing takes about an hour, while waxing takes around twenty minutes. Here are some related details: 1. The purpose of car polishing is to restore the shine to the car paint. However, it is generally not recommended for new cars, as they don't require polishing, and excessive polishing can cause some damage to the paint. 2. New cars typically don't need polishing within the first two years. Generally, the paint quality of new cars is excellent. After the initial period, polishing once a year at most is sufficient. Excessive polishing can weaken the paint's self-maintenance ability, reduce its thickness, and even cause damage. Therefore, it's essential to control the frequency of polishing, minimize the number of sessions, and maintain the car paint properly.
I've been doing car polishing for years. Typically, a full car polish takes 2 to 3 hours for a compact car; for larger vehicles like SUVs or pickup trucks, it may take 4 hours or longer. The time difference is quite significant, mainly depending on the vehicle size—small cars are naturally quicker, while larger ones require more time due to the increased surface area. Secondly, the paint condition plays a big role: minor scratches or oxidation layers can be handled faster, taking about 1.5 hours; deep scratches or severe oxidation require extra time for careful sanding, often adding half an hour to an hour. The type of polishing also matters: light polishing saves time, taking around an hour; moderate or heavy polishing requires staged treatment to avoid damaging the paint. I always recommend using an electric polisher instead of manual tools—machine operation is more efficient, even, and saves half the effort. Additionally, pre-polishing steps like washing and decontamination are essential, as dirt increases risks; post-polishing wax protection is equally crucial. Polishing isn't just about time—it's about protecting the paint and enhancing gloss. Don't rush to avoid over-sanding and damaging the body. Overall, good work requires patience—better slow than hasty.
Last time I helped my friend polish his sedan, it took a whole afternoon, about 3 hours. The car was a standard size, but the paint had slight oxidation, and I worked manually—first washing and drying the car thoroughly, then applying polishing compound. Manual polishing is quite labor-intensive, especially requiring extra time on scratched areas; using a machine could save over half an hour. Many factors come into play: smaller cars take less time, around 1 to 2 hours, while larger ones drag on longer; fewer paint issues mean faster work, more issues slow it down; the quality of tools also affects efficiency. After polishing, I applied wax to enhance protection against UV rays—time-consuming but worth it. When DIYing, I always remind myself to set aside enough free time, like choosing a weekend to avoid rushing. For routine maintenance, light polishing can be done monthly to maintain shine.
