Will Polishing Make Car Paint Thinner?
2 Answers
Polishing car paint will make it thinner. Here are the specific details about vehicle polishing: 1. Principle: Polishing involves grinding away the outermost "clear coat layer" of the car paint. After multiple polishing sessions, the clear coat layer becomes thinner, weakening its protective effect on the base color layer of the paint. Therefore, it is recommended to apply a glaze sealant after multiple polishing sessions, which essentially replenishes a new clear coat layer. 2. Application: Car polishing is a step in the car detailing process, performed before waxing, glazing, or coating to prepare the car's surface. This is because glazing or coating requires prior polishing, and only a finely polished car can achieve a mirror-like finish. This step is essential for the glazing process. Without proper polishing, the car paint surface remains uneven, and the glaze sealant will not last long, failing to provide long-term adhesion—essentially making it no different from regular waxing.
Polishing does make the car paint a bit thinner. I remember last time I went for polishing, the technician explained that the process involves removing a thin layer of oxidation and scratches from the surface, making the car shine like new. However, he warned me not to do it too frequently because each session reduces the paint thickness, and over time it might expose the primer. Nowadays, I usually only do it once or twice a year and rely on waxing for regular protection, which saves money and avoids damage. The benefit of polishing is restoring gloss, but you need to control the frequency and avoid using overly aggressive compounds, otherwise thin paint may rust or discolor. For safety, I still recommend having it done by professionals.
