How Long Does It Take to Polish a Car?
2 Answers
A full car polishing generally takes one to two hours, and the specific time may vary from one detailing shop to another. Here are some relevant details: 1. Purpose: The purpose of polishing is to remove shallow scratches and oxidation layers from the car paint, enhancing its brightness. Polishing should only be done when necessary, as it causes some damage to the paint, though the extent is limited. There's no need to be overly concerned about polishing. 2. Polishing: Car polishing is a step in the car detailing process, performed before waxing, sealing, or coating to prepare the car's surface. Since sealing or coating requires prior polishing—specifically, a fine polishing—to achieve a mirror-like finish, this step is essential. Without polishing, the paint surface remains uneven, and the sealing effect will be very short-lived, failing to provide long-term adhesion, making it no different from waxing.
I've polished quite a few cars, and the time really depends on various factors. For a regular sedan when doing it yourself, the entire process takes about 2 to 4 hours: including washing the car first, letting it dry completely, then using a polisher to treat the scratches—light scratches can be done in 30-60 minutes; moderate or severe issues like oxidation layers require multiple passes, extending it to 1-2 hours. After that, applying wax or sealant takes another half hour. Large SUVs take even longer, easily half a day. Tools matter a lot: professional-grade polishers are faster and more efficient than manual methods; beginners without experience shouldn’t force it, as it’s easy to thin the paint. Environmental impact—a garage is better for controlling dust compared to open air. Remember to clean up residues after polishing; don’t do it too often, once a year is enough to keep the car shiny while protecting the paint.
