Keep Your Vehicle Surface Healthy With Regular Polishing

Every body needs regular care to remain healthy and vibrant–even your vehicle.

Just like moisturizer soothes cracked and dry skin, a coat of polish on a freshly washed car removes accumulated nastiness and restores shine.

“Polishing is like lotion on the skin for cars,” said Mike Pennington, director of training and consumer relations for Meguiar’s Inc., a Southern California-based car care company.

Think of polish as an exfoliant. It’s a deep-cleaner further preparing the paint for wax. Polishing removes oxidation and swirl marks. At the same time polish makes paint appear more vibrant. Consumers often use the words wax and polish interchangeably, Pennington said, but they are separate applications.

“Polishing enhances the finish,” he said. “Waxing locks in the shine with a protective layer.”

Entire walls of automotive stores are devoted to car care products, so choosing well can be challenging. Pennington advises people to think about their needs (and read the directions) before buying anything.

"Choosing the right product is almost like being a doctor. You need to prescribe the right ‘medicine.’"

Pennington offered the following tips and advice about polishing:

• Contaminants from the road and environment etches paint. Polishing removes remnants and residue, creating a smooth surface for waxing.
• Read the directions and stick to the script. Use the product they way it’s intended and a gleaming finish awaits.
• Polishing may remove haze, swirl marks and oxidation. Polish between washing and applying wax for best results.
• Polishing can be done manually or with a power tool. Both methods use a foam or microfiber applicator pad.