Make sure you park the vehicle on a solid surface. Dirt or grass are not recommended, as you may get mud on the car after you wash it. An overcast day is a great time to wash and polish your car, as long as it doesn’t rain.
The polish will wash away easily, but you may not want to clean some things. Keep children and pets away during the polishing process.
Start from the top and work your way down to the bottom of the vehicle as you rinse it. Make sure to rinse the wheels and bottom portion of the car thoroughly, as it’s where dirt and mud are most likely to stick to the paint.
You may get harsh wheel detergents on the paint of the vehicle when cleaning your wheels, so doing so first will allow you to clean the detergents from the paint. Rinsing the wheels may also splatter dirt or mud onto the paint you can then wash off.
Rinse the sponge in the bucket or with your hose as necessary. Make sure to clean the paint on your car thoroughly before you polish it. Any debris or dirt on the paint could result in damaging swirls or scratches when you begin the polishing process.
You can purchase pads and compounds at your local auto parts store. The two often come in kits.
A dry pad will burn the clear coat on your car. Keep a bucket of clean water or a hose nearby throughout the polishing process.
Read the instructions on the specific polishing compound you purchased, as some may have specific steps you’ll need to take for the best result. Once you finish one body panel, then move on to the next one.
Applying steady, constant pressure will reduce chances of damaging your paint. The polishing wheel will be spinning, so you need only move it back and forth.
Unlike waxing the vehicle, you do no not need to wait for the polish to dry. Don’t continue to polish shiny paint, as you may dull the finish.
Once too much polish compound on the pad it will compromise its polishing ability. Remember to keep the pad damp throughout the process.
Take your time and avoid pressing the edge of the pad into any part of the car’s paint. Be patient and rub polishing compound out of grooves the polishing wheel can’t reach.
Be sure to wash away any polishing compound that remains on the vehicle. Rinse the car thoroughly after you’re done washing it.
If you dry the car with towels, start from the top and work your way down. Ensure the paint is completely dry before moving on to waxing.
Apply the wax one body panel at a time as well. Make sure the vehicle is not in direct sunlight while waxing.
Once you have buffed off all of the wax, the paint will have a brilliant shine and finish.
