We all have, I’m sure. Our shiny new car gets a little dirty, so we give it a loving rinse, and then we find the car polish, brush off the cobwebs, and head out. Ten minutes later, he steps back to admire a stained and ironically dirtier vehicle. What am I doing wrong, you mutter? Knowing how to polish a car is not as simple as reaching for a cloth, Mr. Miyagi did not use this as a training exercise for nothing! This article will describe how to polish a car so it looks fresh out of the garage.
get your gear
The first thing to do is buy the right type and quality of polish. Your car manual will have guidance on the type of polish to use. Don’t be tempted by some of the no-frills, cheaper supermarket brands, professional car dealerships won’t use this and neither should you. You’ll need your usual car cleaning rags, buckets, and hoses, as well as a towel and buffing pad (there are many brands/types to choose from).
wash your car well
If you’re asking how to polish a car without washing it first, then shame on you. You should clean it before you polish it. Wash your car well. I would recommend staying away from automatic car washes and putting in some effort. A car wash won’t give the deep cleaning needed or target those stubborn kamikaze fly remnants. It is essential that your car is spotless before you even think about polishing it. Any dirt trapped under the glaze has the potential to damage your coat and mar the overall finish.
apply shoe shine
Now it’s time to get to the bottom of it: how to polish a car correctly. First, towel dry your car, yes that’s right, scrub until completely dry. The Pole will not take a wet car. Once dry, discard your towel and take out your polishing pad. Put a small straight line of polish on the area to be polished (note: do this in small sections, not entire doors or hoods) and begin. Wax up, wax up Small circular movements will result in the best finish. Keep rubbing until all the polish has been absorbed. After working for about an hour, you should be close to a perfectly shiny vehicle.
How to polish a car – tips
1. Use a high quality polishing pad instead of a damp cloth
2. Choose a high-quality nail polish, not the cheapest one
3. Push yourself manually for the best results
4. Don’t give up!
