Car polishing with a machine polisher.
If you’ve just gotten into car detailing, polishing your car is something you’ll want to do about twice a year.
You’re probably wondering if polishing with a machine is superior to polishing by hand.
Well, here are the pros and cons of each.
MACHINE POLISHING
Car polishing with a machine is definitely easier than doing it by hand.
However, it is not something that amateurs should attempt, even if you have a dual-action polisher that helps prevent you from burning your paint.
Machine polishers can be quite powerful, and if you’re not used to handling them and their speed, you could end up scratching your car instead of making it shine.
You’ll want to be careful if you’re planning to polish your headlights as well.
If you’re new to this, it is better to leave this to professionals. Or, if you want to be hands-on, practice first.
That said, apart from the ease of use, car polishing with a machine enables you to really work the product into the paint to remove oxidation, etching and scratches, with less effort than if you did it by hand.
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HAND POLISHING
Although machine polishing is quicker than hand polishing, the latter still has its advantages.
Car polishing by hand is “safer” for less experienced owners. As long as you have prepped the surface by washing and claying it, you can polish with fewer worries.
Hand-polishing is also better for hard-to-reach areas, such as around the narrow spaces between the tail-lights and bumpers on some cars.
You’ll need more finesse in places like these, whereas polishers work better on larger/wider surfaces.
And for some car owners, detailing by hand makes them feel “closer” to their car, as an applicator pad is the only thing separating their hands from the car.
But whichever method you choose, or whether you choose to DIY or send it to a car groomer, always remember that surface prep is key.
If your groomer doesn’t spend time washing and claying the surface, or insists that these steps are unimportant, find another detailer – ASAP!
