How Long Does It Take to Polish a Car?
2 Answers
There is no exact time for car polishing as it depends on the situation. Here are some measures for car paint repair: 1. Waxing: For minor scratches that are not deep and only affect the outermost layer of paint, waxing can be used to repair the scratched paint. 2. DIY touch-up painting: If the damage has reached the body paint and some of it has peeled off, you can try DIY touch-up painting. You need to purchase a touch-up paint pen set of the same color online, which will include all the necessary tools such as sandpaper, putty, polishing compound, etc. 3. Applying toothpaste: When the scratches are more severe, applying toothpaste can be a remedial method to avoid further erosion. The process is simple: just apply toothpaste to the scratched area and rub it in counterclockwise with a soft cloth. This can slightly reduce the marks and prevent air from eroding the car paint.
Last time I polished my beloved car myself, it took almost an entire afternoon—the whole process lasted over four to five hours. Since my car is an older SUV with a long body that easily accumulates dust and has many surface scratches, I initially thought it would be a simple job with just a few rags. But once I got started, I realized it wasn’t that easy: First, I had to thoroughly wash the car to remove dirt, which took about half an hour. Then, using a polishing machine, I carefully buffed every corner—just the hood alone took me over forty minutes. As a beginner, I was particularly cautious, going slowly to avoid damaging the paint. The hot weather made the paint dry quickly, so I had to keep wetting it to slow down the process. For tools, I used an electric polisher, which was faster than manual polishing but not as efficient as professional equipment. Overall, a smaller car might take about two hours, but for larger vehicles, I’d recommend setting aside five to six hours—don’t rush, and it’s okay to split the work over a few days to avoid exhaustion. Finally, remember to add a layer of wax for protection, which adds another thirty minutes. My firsthand experience taught me that planning the steps and breaks in advance is key to avoiding subpar results.
