If you want to keep your car shiny and protected at all times, DIY car polish is absolutely necessary. For most of us, our car is one of the most valuable and useful items we own. Therefore, it’s important to keep it not only looking great but feeling great as well.
Cars can take a lot of time when maintaining. So if you are going to put the time and effort in, your car will look and work at its best for longer. DIY car polish is part of that maintenance. Polishing your car will help extend the life of the paint and the exterior.
Polishing is the step between washing and waxing. However, this is often a forgotten step. But, when done properly, it can give your car’s exterior a new look. If you want to know more about the benefits of DIY car polish, keep on reading.
DIY Car Polish
Preparation
Performing a DIY car polish starts with preparation. Before you wash the car, make sure the car is not exposed to direct sunlight, and park the car is on a solid surface, and not on dirt or grass.
Rinse
Wash and rinse the entire vehicle. Start from top to bottom, but pay attention to the wheels, they hold the most dirt and mud. Rinsing will remove dirt and debris from the paint.
Polish
Polish can be done in two ways, by hand or by a machine. Although machines are much less time-consuming, by polishing by hand, you can perform more detailed polishing work.
You will need a few things, such as:
- Water
- Polishing compound
- Polishing pads
- Microfiber towels
Apply the compound in small doses, and use circular motions with the polishing pads to spread it all over the car. You can use the microfiber towel to wipe any leftover residue.
Wax
If you desire, you can add wax after polishing it to make it look more glossy. A layer of wax will serve as protection for everything you just did. For more tips on waxing, visit our website.
Finishing Touches
While the wax is drying, touch up on all the other areas of the car, like the windows, the door handles, and the interior. Move the car into the sunlight for a final inspection.
What Are the Benefits of Polishing Your Car?
DIY car polish has many benefits. The main one is to protect the exterior of your car. The paint is subjected to sun, rain, snow, wind, and road debris. A layer of polish can help smooth and reduce damages.
Paint Defects. The most common paint defects are swirl marks, paint peels, and uneven coating. Polishing can often conceal these defects and make the paintwork look smooth and appealing.
Eliminates Scratches. Car scratches are normal, regardless of how careful you are. For this reason, car polish can act as a buffer and remove shallow surface scratches on your car.
Invisible Spots. These spots are tricky to remove, and they may require repainting your entire car. However, these spots can be smoothened with car polish.
Shiny and Glossy. Last but not least, polishing your car will result in a smooth, shiny, and glossy appearance.
Polishing your car may not remove all of the imperfections on your car, but it can help protect against future ones.
Some Misconceptions About Waxing and Polishing Your Car:
Some people think that polishing and waxing are the same things, some think that polishing comes after waxing. There are many misconceptions about polishing, here are some.
Do I need to polish my car?
Not necessarily. Although you don’t have to polish your car, polishing is very beneficial. It will improve and prolong the life of the paint. Moreover, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
How often should I polish my car?
Maintenance in the form of polishing and waxing is not a weekly task. Polishing can be done every 5 to 6 months, or 2-3 times a year. Waxing is something you need to do twice as often, every 3 or so months. The inside of the car, however, should be done weekly or monthly.
Can a Car Polish Be Cost-effective?
Unless you take your car to an expensive professional, DIY car polish is not that expensive. In the long run, it’s much cheaper and quicker to polish your car a couple of times a year than to have your car’s paint job touched up by a professional because you haven’t protected the car’s paint properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, DIY car polish is 100% worth it financially. If you don’t have the time or the skills to perform it yourself, letting a professional polish your car is still a great idea.
When it comes to car maintenance, car polishing is one of the most important aspects. Overall, restoring the glossiness, removing the appearance of surface defects such as surface scratches and swirls, and maintaining healthy paintwork can all be done by a DIY car polish.