Should I polish the car?

M

Majestic

New member
Hi everyone, I am new to this whole car detailing thing and was wondering if I should polish the car?

The car is is 2003 been washed and waxed from just the drive through. I look at the car now and I dont really see much of what everyone is talking about swirl marks and water spots and whatever so i was wondering if its necessary to polish the car?

Should I just wash it, clay, seal, then wax the car?
Any advice will help.
 
It would help if you could take some pictures for us. Its hard to tell when you cant see it. What color is your car? If it is white it is possible that the defects may not show up to your eyes as easily as on colors such as black.
 
If it's a 2003, it most certainly has swirl marks, or light scratchs caused by washing, drying, quick detailing, wiping with a cloth, etc.

If it has swirls, yes, it should be polished before applying wax or sealant...

Swirl marks look like this:
They can be easliy seen in direct sunlight or under halogen lights...

1_topswirls.jpg
 
Majestic said:
Hi everyone, I am new to this whole car detailing thing and was wondering if I should polish the car?

The car is is 2003 been washed and waxed from just the drive through. I look at the car now and I dont really see much of what everyone is talking about swirl marks and water spots and whatever so i was wondering if its necessary to polish the car?

Should I just wash it, clay, seal, then wax the car?
Any advice will help.
Click to expand...

Hi Majestic, and welcome to TID!!!!

If your car is from 2003 and has been washed at a drive through then it is pretty much a given that the paint has millions of microscopic scratches that are causing the reflected light to scatter and preventing the paint from looking its best.

You ask if you need to polish the car? Unless you are a professional detailer whose work is judged by your clients, then there is no need to machine polish it. Remember it is all about personal satisfaction and what looks good to us.

However it is a good idea, for the life of the paint, to make sure that the paint is adequately protected with a superior wax or sealant.

I would begin by feeling the surface of the paint after it has been washed. If it feels gritty or rough, then there is surface contamination on the paint that should be removed to make sure the wax or sealant can bond to the paint. Use a clay bar kit, such as the Blackfire Polyclay II kit to restore a smooth feel to the paint and deep clean it.

From here you could apply an all in one wax such as Glacier One Step Polish and Sealant for a long lasting shine and improved gloss and that's it. Reapply the Glacier every 12 weeks, and clay when necessary, and enjoy.
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. On more detailed inspection of my car i do see swirl marks so I will have to polish.

I am trying to get into car detailing as a hobby and I guess will invest in the necessary tools to make this happen. I will be sure to record the whole process and post it on here.
 
Majestic said:
Thanks everyone for the replies. On more detailed inspection of my car i do see swirl marks so I will have to polish.

I am trying to get into car detailing as a hobby and I guess will invest in the necessary tools to make this happen. I will be sure to record the whole process and post it on here.
Click to expand...

Welcome to our world Majestic and any question on buying a polisher you can call me at PAC.......:thumbup:
 
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