How to Perform Car Polishing?
3 Answers
Car polishing operation steps are as follows: 1. Wash the entire vehicle. Use a paint cleaner with strong degreasing power to clean the whole car. When using the cleaner, avoid particles and dust causing new scratches during grinding. 2. Sand with water sandpaper. For defects such as coarse particles, fine sandpaper marks, or flow marks on the paint surface, use 600#~1000# water sandpaper wrapped around a small rubber block with water to gently sand until smooth (be careful not to sand through the paint layer). 3. Coarse and fine grinding. Use a mechanical grinder (electric or pneumatic) with coarse grinding paste to grind the marks left by the water sandpaper; then use fine grinding paste for polishing. 4. Polishing. Use a mechanical polisher with a mirror finish treatment agent to remove the swirl marks left by the coarse grinding paste, achieving a mirror-like finish on the paint film.
When I first started trying to polish my car, I made quite a few mistakes, but now I've learned from experience. First, the car must be thoroughly washed—any dust can scratch the paint during polishing. Use tape to cover plastic parts and rubber seals to prevent polish stains. Choosing polishing wax should follow three steps: coarse abrasive to remove scratches, fine abrasive to enhance shine, and finally a finishing polish. Set the handheld polisher to a low speed, starting at 2000 RPM—don't rush! Working in sections is safest, like dividing the hood into four areas, polishing each for 2 minutes before stopping to check the temperature. Wipe off immediately with a microfiber cloth after polishing, and finish with a wax seal for gloss. Beginners must remember to wear goggles—flying lint is no joke.
It was a pity to see my friend thin out the car paint while polishing it himself. Professional operation must follow a proper method, and choosing the right polisher is crucial: DA machines are gentler and more suitable for beginners, while RO machines have higher speeds but can easily burn the paint. I usually start with a test area, polishing for 30 seconds below the side mirror to check the results. Different paint types require different foam pads—coarse fiber pads for hard paint and fine, dense pads for soft paint. A coin-sized amount of polish is sufficient; too much will just splatter everywhere. Move the polisher at a steady speed, crossing horizontally and vertically like drawing a grid. Pay special attention to door handles and edges—these areas require manual touch-ups with a smaller foam pad. After polishing, the paint surface should be as smooth as a mirror, with no resistance when sliding a fingernail across it—only then is it a success.
