Car polishing is a process that removes a fine layer of clear coat to eliminate minor scratches, swirl marks, oxidation, and other surface imperfections. The primary goal is to restore gloss and clarity to your car's paint, making it look new. It's a corrective step that should be done before applying a protective wax or sealant.
Think of your car's clear coat as having microscopic peaks and valleys. Scratches and swirls are imperfections in these peaks. Polishing uses an abrasive compound to level the surface by cutting down the peaks, resulting in a flat, reflective finish. This is different from waxing, which only adds a protective layer on top. For best results, polishing is typically done with a dual-action polisher, though hand application is possible for very small areas.
It's crucial to understand that each polish removes a small amount of clear coat. Excessive polishing can thin the clear coat beyond repair. The following table shows the average clear coat thickness and the amount removed per polishing stage, illustrating why this process should be done sparingly.
| Vehicle Age / Condition | Average Clear Coat Thickness (mils) | Aggressive Compound Cut | Fine/Medium Polish Cut | Final Finishing Polish Cut |
|---|
| New Car (Factory Finish) | 1.5 - 2.2 mils | 0.5 - 0.8 mils | 0.2 - 0.3 mils | 0.1 - 0.15 mils |
| 5-Year-Old Car | 1.2 - 1.8 mils | 0.3 - 0.6 mils | 0.15 - 0.25 mils | 0.08 - 0.12 mils |
| Older Car (10+ years) | 0.8 - 1.5 mils | 0.2 - 0.4 mils | 0.1 - 0.2 mils | 0.05 - 0.1 mils |
Because it removes clear coat, polishing is not something you should do every time you wash your car. It's a restorative treatment, ideally performed once a year or even less frequently, followed immediately by a durable sealant or ceramic coating to protect the freshly exposed paint.
