What are the steps for car paint polishing?
3 Answers
When polishing a car's paint surface, first clean the car's surface thoroughly, then sand the body surface with water sandpaper, and polish using a polishing machine with polishing wax. Finally, use a mirror finish restorer to achieve a mirror-like finish on the car body. Below is an introduction to car polishing: 1. Car polishing is a step in the car detailing process, performed before waxing, sealing, or coating the car. 2. Sealing or coating must be preceded by polishing, and only a finely polished car can achieve a mirror-like finish. Polishing is a necessary step; without it, the paint surface will not be smooth, and the sealing will not last long, failing to provide long-term adhesion.
I remember taking many detours when polishing my car for the first time, but now I've summarized several key steps. The first step is to thoroughly wash the car—any residual sand particles can scratch the paint during polishing. I usually use a high-pressure water gun and neutral car shampoo for a careful rinse. The second step is masking with tape; areas like light covers, chrome strips, and rubber seals need to be covered with painter's tape, otherwise, the polish can stain plastic parts white. The third step is the most crucial: squeeze polishing wax onto a foam pad, choose coarse, medium, or fine abrasive compounds based on the depth of scratches, and test on an inconspicuous area first to determine the right speed and pressure. Keep the polisher moving parallel, spending only 2-3 minutes per section—too long can burn the clear coat. Finally, wipe off dust with a microfiber cloth and apply wax immediately for protection. Freshly polished paint is particularly vulnerable; without timely protection, it attracts dust more easily. The whole process takes at least three hours, but the moment you see swirl marks disappear is incredibly rewarding.
Just helped my neighbor Old Zhang polish his car last week, and noticed significant differences in treatment methods based on vehicle age. For older cars, you must first measure paint thickness - areas thinner than 120 microns shouldn't be polished carelessly to avoid exposing the primer. Tool selection is crucial; beginners should use a DA dual-action polisher as it's much safer than rotary machines. Always wear a dust mask during operation since polish compound dust harms the respiratory system. I typically divide the hood into four sections for sequential treatment, using crisscross motions to ensure even coverage. Pause frequently to check surface temperature - it should feel slightly warm to touch, as overheating damages paint structure. The refining stage is most demanding, requiring the finest polishing pad at low speed with repeated gentle passes until achieving mirror finish. Finally, thoroughly clean polish residue from crevices - using compressed air for edges works better than cloth wiping.
