Is Polishing Effective for Car Scratches?
2 Answers
Polishing is effective for car scratches. The specific steps for polishing car scratches are as follows: 1. Clean the entire vehicle with a high-degreasing paint cleaner. 2. Wrap water sandpaper around a rubber block and sand the areas with rough particles or fine sandpaper marks until smooth. 3. Use a mechanical polisher with coarse polishing compound to rough grind the marks left by the water sandpaper, then add polishing compound for fine polishing. 4. Use a mechanical polisher with a mirror-finish treatment agent to remove the swirl marks left by the coarse polishing compound. 5. Wipe off the polishing compound, clean all polished areas with cotton cloth dipped in polishing wax, and then use a dry cotton cloth to remove any excess wax.
I've been driving a private car for over a decade and encountered various scratch issues. Polishing works wonders for shallow scratches, especially those fine marks left by tree branches or car wash cloths. I've purchased a polishing machine myself to remove surface oxidation layers – it restores shine in just minutes. However, if the scratch reaches the primer or bare metal, polishing becomes futile, and only repainting can fix it. My advice: inspect carefully after washing; if your fingernail doesn't catch when sliding over it, polishing will work. Regular light polishing also prevents corrosion and maintains paint brilliance – I do it monthly myself for cost-effective maintenance. But don't overdo it, as excessive polishing thins the paint layer and compromises protection. Deep scratches require prompt professional repair to prevent rust. Overall, polishing is an excellent DIY solution for minor scratches that enhances your car's appearance.
