How to Polish your Car

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By SNorman
User-Submitted Article

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Polishing your car can greatly enhance its shine while removing swirl marks, light scratches, and other surface imperfections.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

A dual-action orbital buffer, like a Porter Cable 7424 (commonly referred to as a "PC" by detailers).
A set of foam pads.
Polishing compounds.
Cotton terry cloths.

Step 1

Completely clean your car (see separate weHow article on how to clean your car).
Step 2

Start with a more abrasive pad, orange is common, along with a polish like Meguire's #83.
Step 3

Apply the polish to the face of the pad in a circle near the edge.
Step 4

Set the speed control on the PC to 3. Do not turn it on yet.
Step 5

Start with a 2' by 2' area on the car. Rub the pad briefly across the area to spread the polish.
Step 6

With the pad pressed against the paint, turn on the PC and run the pad across the area, using alternating left and right strokes. You only need to do this until the polish is covering the area to work.
Step 7

While leaving the pad pressed against the body panel, turn the speed up to 5 or 6. Make sure the pad is pressed evenly against the car. If you hold it at an angle, it will vibrate, especially on speed 6.
Step 8

Move across the area you are polishing, left/right, then up/down, until the polish turns clear. Different polishes will do different things when they are broken down. If it starts to flake, it's a good sign it's broken down (and might have been worked too far).
Step 9

Turn off the PC, then lift it from the car.
Step 10

Wipe the polish off with a terry cloth.
Step 11

You can follow this with a less abrasive polish, like Meguire's #80. You can use an orange pad, or follow up with a less abrasive white pad.
Step 12

Make sure to apply a protectant to the paint. See the related how to wash your car how-to.

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