How to Machine Polish a Car The Best Way for Beginners

How to machine polish a car will be a useful guide for you, as a business owner or as a private car user. This can be a practical step to maintain your car so that the value of your vehicle remains high.

But before that, you need to know what tools and materials need to be prepared. So what are the steps you have to follow step by step to get maximum polishing results for your car.

In this article we will discuss how to shine a car using a machine and explain the tools, materials and steps. Read it carefully so you don’t mishandle it.

What is car polishing using a machine?

This is an activity to clean dust, mold, fine scratches on the surface of the car paint. This cleaning uses a rotary polishing machine with a specially designed foam pad. Even though there are types of vibrating machines such as dual action polishing machines, the principle is the same, namely rubbing the surface of the car paint.

Activities like this are usually carried out by professionals, such as car paint workshops, car polishing workshops, car detailing practitioners and car lovers like you. For ordinary people who are just learning to polish cars, they need to pay attention first to how to polish this car. One way is to read this article.

Car polishing does not mean it is without risk, there are several risks that you must be aware of if you apply it incorrectly. Namely peeling paint, burnt paint, eroded paint and lifted paint due to the heat of polishing friction.

Car polishing tools and materials

Types of Car polishing machines

In general, there are two types of car polishing machines. The first is the rotary type, this type of polishing machine usually uses a large foam pad with a rotating rpm that you can adjust. This type of polish is suitable for use by professionals with the advantage of being faster in the car polishing process after sanding.

The second type of polishing machine is the dual action type. This type is suitable for beginners and professionals, the advantage is that it is easy to use because the vibration system works. If the polishing machine is under more pressure then the vibrations will stop, this allows the practitioner to avoid peeling paint or overheating.

Car polishing material

Some of the materials you must prepare to polish a car are 2000 grit sandpaper and above, compound, paste wax, and polishing fluids such as mold removal, wax sealant, and nano coat. In its application you need to consider the use of all these materials.

For example, when you find fine scratches that are difficult to remove using compound, you have to sand them evenly with 2000 grit sandpaper using water. Then this compound is useful for removing dullness, mold and fine spots. Stick wax, sealant coating, and nano coating are useful for shining and brightening car paint.

How to Machine Polish a Car

The First Stage, Screening and Mapping

Check the location of scratches and fungus on the car body. Check to see if the scratch is too deep to require repainting at a paint shop. Map it starting from the part that is most difficult to clean.

Second Stage, Sanding

Sand off fine scratches that are difficult to remove with compound. Sand until the paint is evenly opaque. Wet the sandpaper with water then rub gently, wiping the wet surface with a cloth.

Don’t press too hard and don’t sand for too long. Try to see if the paint is evenly opaque after you wipe it using a water-absorbent cloth, which means you have sanded it properly. Do the same thing for fine scratches on all surfaces of the car.

However, you need to make sure that the clear coat paint is still thick. You can check it using a special tool, namely a paint checker. If the thickness is above 0.8 mm then it can still be sanded.

Third Stage, Compound

Apply the compound using a polishing machine. Apply the compound powder to the paint surface to be polished, do the panel first, for example the door or car hood first. The goal is that the compound does not dry quickly.

Polish slowly with a machine, choose a rather coarse polishing foam specifically for compound materials. This can remove mold on the paint surface. This process is what determines the results of your polishing. Because after that it will be easier to polish the paint surface.

Fourth Stage, Wax

After you polish all the car paint with compound, wash it with car shampoo before applying wax. The application of wax is the same as the previous stage, namely slowly and evenly on each panel of the car.

If the polishing compound goes well, then at the waxing stage it will be easier to reveal the original color of the car paint. The reason is that the car mold has disappeared and the wax makes the paint look shinier.

Fifth stage, Sealant Coating, Nano Coating

At this stage, you don’t need to wash the car. You just need to clean the dust from the wax polish. Prepare a special cloth for applying liquid sealant or nano coat. Both aim to give a taro leaf effect or a water effect that doesn’t want to pool on the paint surface.

Nano coating is better than sealant coating, you can choose one or both. Do nanocoating first if you want to provide both. Do it slowly panel by panel, replace the cloth if it feels rough and hard because this liquid can harden.

This liquid must be applied evenly, read the manual, because each brand is treated differently. Wait until it dries if you want to apply the next layer.

The Final Result

After you have done all the steps properly and correctly, you will see that the car looks very shiny. Leave it for 1 day to ensure the nanocoating liquid hardens completely.

That’s how to machine polish a car. Don’t forget to always use personal protective equipment such as gloves, masks and special work clothes for car polishing activities.

Good luck. Also Read: Red Candy Tone Color Paint, Best for Vehicles