You take pride in your ride and want it to look its best when you pull out. A quality car shampoo alone isn’t enough to have your car gleaming in the light as you cruise down the road, though.
A more comprehensive detailing regimen is essential for bringing out the full potential of your vehicle’s shine. The products you use can also protect your car’s paintwork for the long haul.
You’ve probably heard all about the idea of polishing your car, but what does car polish do - and is it really worth adding to your car cleaning arsenal?
Car polish removes surface imperfections and enhances the paint’s shine, providing a smooth, glossy finish. It also offers long-term benefits to shield against environmental damage. It’s a must in your detailing routine if you truly care about your car.
Learn more below about what polish does to a car, how to know if your car needs it, and tips for achieving professional results. Better yet, find out firsthand what polish does to a car at Jennychem. Discover the best car polishing compound and car polisher pads in the UK today!
So, what does car polish do that makes it such a powerful addition to your detailing routine? This is a chemical product designed to remove surface imperfections from your car's paintwork and enhance its overall appearance.
Unlike wax, which primarily adds a protective layer, polish actually smooths out the surface of the paint. Its mild abrasives gently buff away minor scratches, swirl marks, oxidation, and other blemishes that accumulate over time. This process reveals a fresh layer of paint that is more reflective and lustrous.
Applying car polish fills in and levels out imperfections, creating a uniform surface. The result is a glossy finish that enhances the colour depth and clarity of your car's paint.
That’s not all, though. Polishing can help prepare the surface for waxing by ensuring it is clean and smooth, allowing the wax to adhere better and provide more effective protection. It’s an important step in a more comprehensive car detailing regimen.
Maybe you’re still not convinced that it’s worth the investment in your vehicle’s appearance and paintwork longevity. Does car polish really make a difference, or can you skip this step and just wash and wax?
Ultimately it’s up to you - but here’s what polish does to a car, and why we encourage all vehicle owners to invest in regular polishing, either on their own or by a professional detailer.
Polishing your car can significantly improve its appearance by removing surface imperfections. It restores the original shine and gloss of your vehicle's paintwork, leaving it looking newer and more vibrant.
Polishing can also remove stubborn stains and marks that regular washing cannot, resulting in a cleaner and more polished finish.
Your vehicle is constantly exposed to harsh conditions on the road, from bird droppings to tree sap, road grime, and more. Even if it’s garaged, you can’t avoid these elements when you hit the open road.
Car polish not only enhances the appearance of your car but also provides a degree of protection against these concerns. It easily removes these contaminants while also creating a smoother surface without abrasions. This makes it more difficult for future contaminants to take hold of your vehicle’s paintwork.
Regular polishing can extend the lifespan of your car's paintwork by removing minor scratches and preventing oxidation. This can delay the need for more extensive and costly repairs, such as repainting or touching up damaged areas.
If for no other reason than to save money in the long run, make the time to regularly polish your car. Even the best car polish in UK is very affordable, and it’s really easy to use as well.
We’ll walk you through the process in just a moment. First, let’s look at some of the signs your car might be due for a polish.
It’s fairly easy to determine whether your car needs polish or not. Look for signs such as swirl marks, light scratches, oxidation, and a dull or faded appearance.
Swirl marks are usually fine, circular scratches that appear under direct light. These imperfections can be caused by improper washing techniques or contact with abrasive materials.
Oxidation occurs when the paint surface is exposed to the elements over time, leading to a chalky or hazy appearance. Polishing can help restore its original shine if your car's paint lacks the lustre it once had.
If you’re not sure your car is due for a polishing, simply think about how long long it’s been since you last did it. If you’ve never done it before, there’s your answer!
The frequency with which you should polish your car depends on several factors, including its age, the quality of its paintwork, and how often it is exposed to harsh conditions.
For most cars, polishing every 3 to 6 months is sufficient to maintain a glossy finish and protect the paint. However, cars frequently exposed to the sun, road salt, or other harsh elements might need to be polished more often.
On the other hand, cars kept in a garage and only driven occasionally may only need to be polished once or twice a year. Regular washing and waxing can also extend the intervals between polishing.
Many of our customers use the “bag test” to determine if their vehicle needs a polish. Place your hand inside a plastic sandwich bag and gently run it over the paint surface. If the paint feels rough or bumpy, it indicates the presence of contaminants and minor imperfections that polishing can address.
You could also spray a bit of water on a section of the pain and take note of how it reacts. If you see water beading into tight, even, round droplets, your paint is likely in really good condition still. However, if it spreads out or runs down the paint in irregular patterns, it’s time to polish.
Don’t worry - we’ll show you how to polish a car by hand below!
Now that you know what polish does to a car, it’s time to get to work. From actually applying the polish to following up with wax, we’ll walk you step-by-step through the process below. Given the importance of your chosen polish, let’s start there.
There are different types of polishes available, each designed for specific paint conditions. This is something we can help you navigate here at Jennychem, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service team.
A light abrasive polish is ideal for minor scratches and swirls. On the other hand, deeper scratches and oxidation will need a heavier abrasive polish.
Look for polishes that contain quality ingredients and are suitable for your car’s paint type, whether it’s clear coat, single-stage, or multi-stage paint.
Always read the product labels and reviews to ensure you choose a reputable brand known for its effectiveness and ease of use. You should never cut corners or play the guessing game when it comes to your vehicle’s paintwork.
The specific polishing compound you use is just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll also need these supplies to get the job done efficiently and effectively:
Once you’ve got all the essential car cleaning products it’s time to get to work. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using polish on your vehicle:
At this point, you can follow up with a quality car wax or sealant to protect the paint and maintain the shine. Sealants offer longer-lasting protection, while wax provides a deep gloss.
While you’re at it, you might as well detail the inside of your car as well. We have a great selection of car upholstery cleaner solutions and even car air fresheners for the finishing touches.
Speaking of which, if you don’t already have your car polishing compounds picked out, there’s just one thing left to do - head over to Jennychem and discover the best selection in the UK!
Jennychem is your trusted choice for all things chemical cleaning. Over the past 35 years, we’ve helped car owners and professional detailers alike round out their regimens with safe, effective solutions to bring out the full potential of any vehicle.
Our Liquid Gold Polish, for example, uses premium Carnauba wax to deliver a deep, long-lasting shine that is both durable and resistant to detergents. It brings out levels of shine, gloss, depth, clarity, and reflectivity that will leave your vehicle looking better than ever before.
Or, consider our Cut N’ Shine Paint Restorer. As the name suggests, this is a great way to restore your vehicle's paintwork to its former glory. The fast-acting abrasive liquid compound will effortlessly eliminate surface imperfections and leave behind a flawless finish.
These are just a few of the polishing compounds you have at your disposal, and we have the pads you need as well. While you’re at it, stock up on all the other essentials - like snow foam and a snow foam lance, vikan brush, car wash sponge, car screen wash, ad blue, and more.
Complete your detailing process with quality products backed by exceptional support today as we wrap up our guide on what polish does to a car.
So, what does car polish do? In summary, these compounds remove minor imperfections, enhance shine, and prepare the surface for waxing or sealing. In other words, they not only improve the look of your vehicle but also extend the life of its paint.
Find additional resources on caring for your vehicle like how to use snow foam, which engine coolant for my car, how much adblue to put in, how much coolant do I need, and more.
Otherwise, discover the transformative power of our premium car polishes at Jennychem and give your car the care it deserves. Shop now for the best products to achieve a flawless finish!
