If your car isn't as shiny as it used to be, and if you see chips and scratches in the paint, it might be time to polish it up. After all, time takes its toll on any car, so the more it's exposed to sunlight, bird droppings, rain and dust, the more the car's finish will corrode and fade. If your goal is to make it look like new, you need to learn how to properly sand your car. Fortunately, you can do this yourself at home, provided you have the right supplies and a few tips. Here's how to get started.
Apply car wax to keep your car paint looking like new.
buy polishing supplies
Learning how to properly sand a car requires you to have all the right supplies before you start. First, buy a power bumper, as this tool will make your job easier. There are many power buffers to choose from, and they are all very affordable and easy to learn to use. Next, buy a polish. Then make sure you have car wash supplies on hand, such as car soap and microfiber towels. Grab some wax that you can also apply to your car at the end of the process. Now you are ready to start giving your car a new look!
wash your car
Once you have all the polishing supplies on hand, it's time to wash the car. This ensures that the surface is free of dust or grime, which is important because polishing a dirty car can actually damage the paint. So get out your car wash supplies, wash your car thoroughly with soap, then rinse and dry before pulling out your polisher.
start polishing
Apply a generous amount of polish to the polishing pad of your power tool. When you start polishing, make sure you monitor the amount of compound on the pad, as you don't want to polish your car with a dry pad. Then start the tool and press it firmly against the surface of the car. Once it touches the car, move the tool in a circular motion, making sure it keeps moving. Letting it run at one point without moving it can damage the surface. When you encounter scratches or small chips, you may need to spend a few more minutes polishing the surface until you notice it starts to look smoother.
wax your car
The final step in learning how to properly polish a car is the waxing stage. Since polishing a car strips some of the paint and clear coat on top, you'll want to wax it right after polishing to protect the car's finish. You can place the wax on a clean polishing pad on the tool and dab it on the surface of the car. You can work on a quarter of the car at a time, apply the wax, and remove it with a rag in a circular motion. Be sure to read the instructions on the wax bottle so you know how long to leave the wax in the car before removing it.
Having the proper supplies can make polishing and waxing your car easier.
Now that you know how to properly polish your car, you should know when to do it. Generally, you should do it once a year. However, if you park your car under a tree or live near the coast (where there is a lot of salt in the air), you may need to polish your car 2-3 times a year.