Have you just washed your car and want to make sure it shines like new? There's no better way to restore the shine than by polishing your car! Once their vehicle has been cleaned, road users can, depending on their car's needs, give it a polish to remove imperfections in the varnish, protect the paintwork and restore its shiny appearance.

In this article, we share with you the essentials of polishing: what it is, how it's done and how it differs from buffing!

What is car polishing?

Paint is the protective coating on a car's bodywork. It's also the element that brings out the vehicle's design and shine. That's why it needs to be well maintained, just like the bodywork. If the paintwork is scratched or oxidized, it should be polished. Polishing removes all visible surface marks and scratches.

Polishing a car involves buffing the bodywork to restore its homogeneity and smoothness. This operation is essential to make the body shine and look as good as new. Polishing requires a polishing paste (also known as polish or compound) to be applied to the surface. It can be applied by hand or with a polishing machine. Polishing a car also involves repairing damage caused by chemical products. It is also possible to polish other parts of the vehicle, such as indicators, headlights, etc.

Why polish a car?

Subjected to sometimes difficult traffic and weather conditions - gravel, mud... - and possibly to micro-shocks, the bodywork of our vehicles logically tends to get damaged. By taking the time to polish them, it's easy to deal with these minor inconveniences yourself and preserve your car for the long term. This will restore the vehicle's shine and prevent problems from getting worse.

How do I polish my car?

Step 1: Wash your vehicle

The first step is to thoroughly clean your vehicle with soapy water and a sponge. Remove all residues of mud, salt and other impurities. Then let the vehicle dry or use the microfiber cloth to wipe it down.

Step 2: Apply body tape

To protect plastic trim, apply body tape to windows and mirrors.

Step 3: Polishing the bodywork

As a general rule, polishing needs to be carried out twice to be effective. Apply the polish, then work in circular circles with a soft cloth or polishing machine, depending on your equipment. Always remember to remove excess product with a cloth when you've finished.

Step 4: Use protection

When polishing is complete, apply varnish or sealant to your car's bodywork to keep it shiny and well-protected.

Who can polish?

Generally speaking, it's best to entrust car polishing to a professional. The result is always better since he or she has all the necessary equipment. Added to this are his skills and experience. However, garage work can be expensive, depending on the rates charged. If you don't have the budget, you can polish your car yourself. However, precise steps must be followed to obtain a perfect result. The right tools are also essential:

• Polishing machine;
• Rotating disc;
• Sponges ;
• Hand gloves;
• Polish or polishing products;
• Squeegee and wax;
• Bucket and water.

Buffing and polishing: what's the difference?

Although these two terms are often confused, they define two techniques that are both different and complementary.

Polishing

This operation aims to remove small defects, such as micro-scratches, traces of oxidation and stains, from the bodywork. To achieve this, use a scratch remover, a slightly abrasive product or a cream polish.

Buffing

This time, the aim is to 'nourish' the paintwork so that it regains its full luster. As a bonus, the product used- a polish - leaves a protective film that prevents the deposit of impurities, allows rain to slide off and facilitates future washes. If possible, opt for a no-rinse polish, which is both more environmentally friendly and quicker to apply.