Polishing Question

[mujjuman]

As far as I know, polishing removes a layer of paint down to the surface of the scratch.
After polishing, one should layer with wax.
My question is, over time, wouldnt the paint wear out due to repeated polishing?

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing Question

Yes, if you touch the paint with anything for long enough (including rain, wind, polish, etc), the paint will wear off.

The key is to fix up your swirls scratches with the least agressive product, then if you use proper techniques, you can simply maintain the finish using mild products.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Polishing Question

As far as I know, polishing removes a layer of paint down to the surface of the scratch.

Kind of... you don't have to completely remove a scratch and sometimes you can't and don't want to.

After you get your car's paint to where you want it to be the idea is to not do the type of things that will put scratches back into the paint so you won't have to remove swirls and scratches again.

If you take your car to a car wash right now and the car wash is instilling swirls and scratches, and you plan on continuing to take your car to a car wash in the future, then it wouldn't make any sense to remove the swirls and scratches as they're just going to be instilled again.

For the most part, the only way to maintain a swirl and scratch free finish is to take ownership of the car wash process or hire a Professional Detailer that will wash and treat your car like you would if you were to wash and dry it yourself.

Clear coat paints are easily scratched, they can last a long time but that doesn't mean the same thing as look good for a long time.

[mujjuman]

Re: Polishing Question

thank you for your answers!!

does polishing wear out paint faster?

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing Question

Its still kind of a broad question....

If you use agreseive products and techniques often, then yes.

If you use mild products, wax the paint, wash it regularly, you can make it last longer.

[mujjuman]

Re: Polishing Question

how often do you polish your car? once a year?

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing Question

Well, I use cleaner/waxes like ColorX every 2 months or so, and use a cleaner/polish like #80 once or twice a year.

[mujjuman]

Re: Polishing Question

cleaner/wax is like polish mixed with wax right?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Polishing Question

cleaner/wax is like polish mixed with wax right?

Yes.

What are you working on?
What condition is the paint?
What is your goal for the paint?
How do you wash the car?
Where is the car parked at night and in the day?
Do you work by hand or machine and if machine what kind?

Inquiring minds want to know?

[mujjuman]

Re: Polishing Question

Yes.

What are you working on?
What condition is the paint?
What is your goal for the paint?
How do you wash the car?
Where is the car parked at night and in the day?
Do you work by hand or machine and if machine what kind?

Inquiring minds want to know?

I am working on my 2001 Jetta which is unfortunately full of swirls.
The paint is really dull.
I want the paint to look shiny again. Even after washing it looks dull.
Honestly, I take my car to touchless carwash. I know its not the best thing, but that's sort of the only option I have.
My car used to be garaged... but now I moved to a different location without a garage and my car is parked outside 24/7
I work by hand.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Polishing Question

I am working on my 2001 Jetta which is unfortunately full of swirls.
The paint is really dull.
I want the paint to look shiny again. Even after washing it looks dull.
Honestly, I take my car to touchless carwash. I know its not the best thing, but that's sort of the only option I have.
My car used to be garaged... but now I moved to a different location without a garage and my car is parked outside 24/7
I work by hand.

Here's two simple approaches you can do by hand.

Wash
Clay
Rub all panels down with Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner working a small section at at time, about 16" square or so, just don't tackle too large of an area at one time. Wipe each section off after you complete it as you don't let paint cleaners dry.
Apply NXT Tech Wax 2.0

Wash
Clay
Rub all panels down with ColorX working a small section at at time, about 16" square or so, just don't tackle too large of an area at one time. After you work one section move onto a new section and leave the wax on the section you just worked to dry. Waxes need to dry, all other paint care products are applied, worked in and over the paint and then removed.

Either of the above processes will work for about 99.9% of cars on the road.

If you've been running your car through the touchless car wash for any length of time, then it's highly likely the cleaning chemicals are what's caused your paint to become dull and lifeless.

[mujjuman]

Re: Polishing Question

Thank you so much for the guidance!
Is the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner a polish?
Whats the difference between DCPC and ColorX? Just that ColorX has wax included?

I hope my questions aren't annoying or bothersome. I just want to learn.

Usually what I do is:

Wash
Clay (using the clay kit)
Cleaner Wax

I recently bought NXT Tech Wax 2.0 but haven't had the chance to use it yet.

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing Question

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Cleaner/wax or ColorX
4. Nxt 2.0
is a nice quick detail.

If you want to take the time to remove the swirls, then you will need a stronger paint cleaner than DC#1.

Perhaps first, it would be good to read over some of these threads. Even though there are new products we can recomend, the basics stay the same.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[mujjuman]

Re: Polishing Question

thank you for the links!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Polishing Question

Definitely read through this one...

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle