Will Vehicle Polishing and Waxing Affect the Original Paint?

[PhoebeLee]

Car waxing can protect the car's paint surface, while polishing can damage the paint. Here are some precautions for waxing: 1. New cars should not be waxed. The paint layer of a new car already has a protective wax coating. Waxing too early will remove the original wax on the new car's surface, causing unnecessary waste. 2. Control the frequency of waxing. Depending on the driving environment and parking location of the vehicle, the interval between waxing should vary. 3. Before waxing, wash the car body with water to remove dirt and dust, but avoid blindly using dish soap or soapy water. 4. Wax the car in a shaded area to ensure the car body does not overheat.

[LeDeclan]

I've been driving for years and have waxed and polished my beloved car many times myself. Let me share my experience: polishing does remove the very top layer of the clear coat, but this wear is extremely minimal—like gently wiping away a layer of dust. A normal polishing session only removes a few microns, while the factory clear coat is typically 40-50 microns thick, so doing it occasionally has no impact at all. Waxing is even safer, as it simply forms a protective layer over the paint, not only causing no harm but also providing UV and dirt protection. However, I must warn you: never polish repeatedly. Some novice owners, seeing their car's shine, keep wanting to polish more, but frequent polishing will thin the clear coat, and over time, even swirl marks won't be hidden. I now limit myself to polishing at most once a year, and for the rest of the time, I just wash and wax the car myself.

[MaverickAnn]

As professionals working in auto detailing shops, we know best that whether polishing and waxing damage the paint depends entirely on the operation. With proper application, they won't affect the original paint at all: waxing is like putting a protective coat on the car's paint, while polishing is similar to facial exfoliation, removing oxidation and fine scratches. However, excessive polishing is risky, especially when encountering technicians who cut corners by using coarse abrasive pads or high-speed grinding, which can remove dozens of microns of clear coat in one go. I recommend choosing a professional shop for these services and having them measure the paint thickness beforehand—avoid polishing if it's below 100 microns. For new cars under five years old, limit polishing to once a year at most, and be even more cautious with older vehicles. After waxing, remember to maintain it regularly by using a soft brush to clean the gaps and prevent dust buildup that could damage the paint.

[DelJustin]

When I was younger, I also worried that polishing would damage the car paint. Now, after ten years of car ownership, I understand that the key lies in moderation. Waxing is completely safe, just like applying a screen protector to a phone doesn't affect the screen. However, polishing is different: it uses abrasive particles to physically rub against the paint surface, inevitably wearing away a tiny amount of clear coat. Fortunately, this wear is controllable—following standard procedures, one polishing session removes less than 1% of the thickness. What's truly alarming is excessive polishing. I've seen car owners polish three times in a row to remove scratches, only to end up with paint so thin it became translucent. My advice is: minor scratches don’t require polishing—a scratch-filling wax can do the job. Only severe oxidation and swirl marks warrant polishing, and the frequency should be limited to once every two or three years. As for waxing, it’s fine to do it more often. Applying wax before the rainy season provides excellent protection against acid rain.