Car Polishes

Types of Car Polish and Their Benefits

Car polish comes in several types, each designed for specific levels of paint correction and enhancement. Choosing the right polish for your car depends on the condition of the paint and the results you want to achieve.

Abrasive Polish

Also called “cutting polish,” it contains particles that remove a thin layer of the paint's surface to correct defects. It varies in intensity and is categorized by level of cut: Abrasive polishes are excellent for car paint correction when your vehicle needs deeper intervention to restore its original appearance.

• Heavy Cut Polish: Best for addressing deep scratches and heavy oxidation.
• Medium/Fine Cut Polish: Ideal for moderate surface damage such as swirl marks, fine scratches, and light oxidation.
• Finishing Polish: Refines the surface after heavier polishing steps, addressing light imperfections and delivering a high-gloss finish.

Non-Abrasive Polish

Unlike abrasive polish, non-abrasive polish doesn’t contain cutting agents. It’s designed to enhance the gloss of your paint without removing any layers. It’s ideal for cars that need a shine boost but don’t have deep scratches or significant defects. While this polish won’t fix major issues, it can refresh your paintwork, making it look brighter and cleaner.

One-Step Polish

This type of polish combines cleaning, polishing, and protecting in a single formula, making it perfect for a quick and easy detailing job. One-step polishes offer mild paint correction, removing light imperfections while also leaving behind a protective layer of wax or sealant. This option is ideal if you’re looking for a time-saving solution that still offers solid results.

Polishing your car helps achieve a smoother surface by leveling out the imperfections in the clear coat. This restores shine and creates a better foundation for protective products like wax or sealant, making them more effective at safeguarding the paint.

How to Polish a Car: Hand vs. Machine Polishing

When it comes to polishing a car, the method you choose—whether by hand or using a machine—can significantly affect the results.

• Hand Polishing: Polishing by hand is ideal for light work, such as touching up small areas or applying finishing polishes. It’s a slower process and doesn’t provide the same level of correction as machine polishing, but it is suitable for smaller imperfections.


• Machine Polishing: For more substantial paint correction, machine polishing is the way to go. Dual Action (DA) polishers are popular because they are user-friendly, even for beginners, and offer excellent results. Machine polishing ensures even distribution of the product, better defect correction, and quicker results.

Choosing the Right Polish for Your Paint Condition

The key to achieving the best results is selecting the right polish based on your car’s paint condition. For mild imperfections like light scratches, swirl marks, and minor oxidation, a finishing polish will suffice. However, for more severe defects like deep scratches or significant fading, starting with a more aggressive compound and finishing with a lighter polish will be necessary to restore the paint to its best condition.

Our No.2 One Step Polish combines the benefits of both cutting and finishing, making it a versatile option for those looking for both paint correction and car finish protection. If you’re aiming for the ultimate show car finish, following up with the No.3 Polish & Wax is the ideal way to add depth, gloss, and long-lasting protection.

The Polishing Process: Step-by-Step

1. Clean the Surface: Before polishing, wash your car thoroughly to remove any loose dirt or contaminants.
2. Choose the Right Pad: Use a cutting pad for more aggressive correction or a finishing pad for light polishing.
3. Apply the Polish: If using a machine polisher, apply a small amount of polish to the pad. Start with a low speed and work in small sections.
4. Work the Product: Move the polisher or your hand in overlapping motions, ensuring even coverage.
5. Buff the Residue: Once the product has broken down, wipe away any residue with a microfiber cloth to reveal a smooth, glossy finish.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-Polishing: Polishing too often can wear down the clear coat. Depending on the paint’s condition, most vehicles only need to be polished 1-2 times a year.
• Skipping Prep: Always wash and decontaminate the surface before polishing to avoid scratching the paint.
• Using the Wrong Pad: Make sure to use the appropriate pad for the polish and paint condition. A cutting pad on soft paint could cause more damage than it fixes.

Combining Polishing with Other Paint Care Products

Polishing should always be followed by a wax or sealant to lock in the results and protect the freshly polished surface. A high-quality car finish protection product will shield your paint from future damage, keeping it glossy and protected from environmental factors like UV rays, dirt, and hard water spots.

DIY vs. Professional Polishing

While professional detailing shops offer advanced paint correction services, with the right products and tools, DIY polishing is a great way to keep your car’s paint in top shape. For beginners, using a DA polisher makes the process easier and safer, while more experienced detailers can achieve professional-level results at home.