The sparkle and shine of a new car will leave no one indifferent. But do not forget that the purpose of the coating is not only to please the eye, but also to protect the metal of the body from aggressive environmental influences. And the more attention is paid to the paintwork, the longer the car retains its attractive appearance. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, including polishing. And although it is perceived as a long and far from easy process, anyone can do it. So how to polish a car - by hand, using a special machine, at a service station or in a garage?
About paintwork (LCP)
It is necessary to understand that this is not just a layer of paint applied over the metal. LKP is a complex, multi-layer coating, the main task of which is to protect the body from external influences. What it is, the figure makes it possible to understand:
Like any coating, paintwork is exposed to environmental influences - ultraviolet radiation, collisions with solid particles (pebbles, sand or dust), chemicals, moisture, etc. And if it is damaged, the degree of protection of the car body is reduced. It is to eliminate this factor that polishing is necessary.
There are the following main types:
- restorative;
- protective.
- Restorative polishing. It removes several microns of the upper layer of paintwork, usually damaged. The products used for these purposes contain abrasive substances. Carrying out such polishing is possible only a few times, since it reduces the thickness of the paintwork itself, although it allows you to remove small scratches and chips on the surface of the body.
- Protective polish. In this case, the composition of the materials used during the work does not include abrasive particles; instead, means are used that protect the paintwork from external influences. Such protection provides, for example, less adhesion of atmospheric precipitation on the surface of the coating, thereby preventing corrosion. It is good in cases where paintwork defects are practically invisible.
So before starting work, it is worth deciding on its ultimate goal. Refurbishment polishing is usually carried out only two to three times in the life of the vehicle. Very often the number of such operations allowed is determined by the manufacturer. The fact is that in Japanese cars the paintwork layer is thinner and they are quite sensitive to such surface treatment, while in German cars the protective coating is thicker.
Protective polishing additionally protects the paintwork from external influences and allows you to preserve its appearance. It is permissible to apply it an unlimited number of times, especially since the layer created with its help is gradually erased during operation. Information on the types of polishing can be obtained from the video:
Preparing the car for polishing
Work should be carried out in a well-ventilated room at room temperature and good lighting. Avoid direct sunlight and dust on the vehicle. For the most part, the answer to the question of how to properly polish a machine by hand lies in carefully following the procedure for preparing the surface of the machine.
Before starting work, the car must first be washed using special products. In this case, it is necessary to remove traces of insects and bitumen stains. After the body has been cleaned from dirt and other influences, the paintwork should be degreased, for which special compounds are used. Otherwise, it will be difficult to ensure good adhesion of the protective layer to the body.
All rubber and plastic parts must be protected from polish ingress with tape.
On the choice of polish
It must be selected in accordance with the task (for example, creating a protective coating) and at the same time be guided by the color of the car. For metallic painting, there are special polishes. In addition, they are made from different materials and have different characteristics. Without touching on each of them, it is worth noting that polishes are most often used:
- wax;
- Teflon;
- epoxy;
- "liquid glass".
Thanks to this variety of choices, you can always find the right type for a particular case, thus providing the best protection for the vehicle.
Polishing technology
All works are performed manually, without the use of auxiliary mechanisms. Using the sponge included in the delivery set, the polish is applied to the surface to be treated. After the product dries a little, it is rubbed over the body with uniform movements. A soft tissue is used as a tampon. Then they move on to the next section. For example, the whole procedure for waxing a car is shown here:
The protective paintwork of a car is subjected to significant stress while driving, as a result of which it is damaged and the coating wears out. Polishing provides a significant help in maintaining the condition of the paintwork, the good appearance of the "iron horse" and extending its service life. Its purpose can be different, it will allow you to eliminate minor external damage or provide additional protection to the car body.
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