Car Polishing
Elite car polishing for Vancouver Richmond Burnaby Surrey Lower Mainland, BCBook an inspection for expert car polishing in Vancouver. We’ll assess your vehicle and provide an estimate.
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What is Car Polishing?
Our Vancouver car polishing clients frequently ask us what “polishing” means. There are two basic types of polishing: compounding (sometimes referred to as “cut polishing”) and finish polishing. Cut polishing and finish polishing serve two different purposes, although there are many similarities. Gleamworks Ceramic Coating packages and car detailing packages use both types.
We polish:
- Paint.
- Metal.
- Rims and trim.
- Headlights and tail lights.
Compounding (Cut Polishing)
In car polishing, the term “compounding” or “cut-polishing” refers to a clear coat and paint correction technique. Your vehicle’s clear coat protects paint, but also becomes scratched, oxidized, faded and dull. These imperfections, if shallow, are embedded in the clear coat. Deeper scratches may be in paint layer itself. Compounding paste or spray – containing microscopic abrasives – is applied to the auto surface and polished with a rotary polisher, removing fine scratches, oxidation, and hazing. This step is done before ceramic coating is applied, and is vital for achieving a flawless, glossy finish.
What is Finish Polishing?
In exterior detailing, finish polishing, as the name implies, is the final polish application, which is applied after paint correction done. Gleamworks uses the best professional products by CARPRO to remove any micro-scratches, swirl marks and minute imperfections. We then finish with Finish polish. The result is a clean, highly-reflective, deep, gloss finish.
Car polishing is part of Ceramic Coating packages and some detailing packages.
Car Polishing FAQ
What is the difference between polishing and compounding?
Compounding (also called “cut polishing”) uses microscopic abrasives suspended in a paste or spray, which remove microns of clear coat containing scratches, swirl marks, and hazing. “Finish polishing” buffs out remaining micro-scratches, swirl marks, resulting in smooth, slick and glossy surface.
Will car polishing remove swirl marks?
Yes, car polishing will remove swirl marks.
Will cut polishing remove scratches?
Yes, cut polishing removes light to medium scratches, swirl marks; and, oxidation and hazing from UV rays and chemical pollution. 1 or 2 “cuts” of compounding are usually required. For deeper scratches, more passes of compounding may be applied provided your car has enough clear coat. We have to leave 20 microns of clear coat intact to protect your car’s paint.
How much does polishing cost?
Cut polishing and finish polishing are part of our Ceramic Coating and detailing packages. Please refer to those pages for pricing.
How long does it take?
When car polishing is part of our Ceramic Coating packages, the process can take 1-3 days. When part of a detailing package, it takes 1/2 day to 1 day.
What kind of vehicles do you polish?
Polishing is appropriate for any vehicle whether a compact car, family sedan, SUV, van, truck, luxury vehicle or exotic car.
Where is your car polishing shop located?
Gleamworks provides car polishing in our Vancouver shop, although our customers come from many areas of the Lower Mainland of BC, including: Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey and beyond.
Gleamworks Detailing & Ceramic Coating
By appointment only.
5-8855 Laurel Street,
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6P 3V9.
View a map and directions.