Polishing and waxing are two different steps to make your car look shiny and clean. Your car is a major investment, so you want it to look good for as long as possible. Polishing involves removing swirls and scratches from the surface of your vehicle’s paint job while waxing will give your car’s paint an extra layer of protection that prevents rain, snow, and dirt from sticking to it. You should polish before you wax so that if there are scratches or other imperfections in the paint they can be corrected before you add a new layer of protection on top of them. You should also polish again after waxing at least once per year in order to keep those imperfections from reappearing under the protective layer.
The cost of polishing varies widely depending on how many hours it takes the professional working on your vehicle. On average, polishing takes about two hours, but this time can vary depending on whether any external buffing is necessary (which may take up to another hour) or if there are several layers of old wax that have to be stripped off (which might only take an additional fifteen minutes). In general expect between $150-$500 with some outliers costing more than $1,000 or less than $50 at one-of-a-kind specialty shops around town.”
The waxing process cleans the paint.
You might be wondering why you should wax your car, after all the polish has removed the scratches and swirl marks from the paint. The waxing process actually cleans the paint by removing dirt and grime that can build up over time. The wax also protects your car’s paint from UV rays, water spots, acid rain and other pollutants that can damage your vehicle’s exterior if left untreated for too long.
The polish process only cleans the paint.
Basically, polishing is a simple process that can be done relatively quickly (usually in an hour or two) and is applied to only the paint. Waxing a vehicle, however, is a much more complicated process that takes longer and involves applying wax to both the paint and body—so you’re getting more bang for your buck.
Now that you know what polishing and waxing are, let’s go over some differences between them!
Both processes must be done.
The wax and polish processes are done together. One can’t be done without the other. Here’s a quick overview of how these processes work, and why they should always be done together:
- Polishing your car removes dirt, dust, grime, and any small scratches in your paint. It leaves a smooth surface as preparation for waxing.
- Waxing your car seals the polish so that it doesn’t wash away with rain or snow. Waxing also protects your car from the elements and makes it look shiny and new!
You need to wax your car at least once a year.
When it comes to car maintenance, waxing is one of the most valuable services you can give your vehicle. It’s also one of the cheapest. Regular waxing will ensure that your car is protected against dirt and grime, that its paint looks shiny and clean well into old age, and that its paint doesn’t fade due to sun exposure.
A good car waxing should last at least a year before needing another one. In order to have it done properly, you’ll want to find a good mechanic or auto detailing shop with an experienced staff. If you buy the products yourself (we don’t recommend this), make sure you know how to properly apply them so as not to damage your car’s paint job in the process.
The price of having your car waxed and polished depends on the size of your car.
The price of having your car waxed and polished depends on the size of your car.
Basically, the bigger the car, and therefore the more polishing product that is required to do the job, you will pay more money. On the other hand, if you have a smaller car that requires less product to complete the service request, you will pay less money.
You also need to consider how dirty your car is before you have it washed.
A lot of factors go into the cost of having your car polished and waxed, and one of the biggest ones is how dirty it is. If you just need a quick wash and wax, then it will be cheaper than having to clean all the mud out from under your fenders!
This is also important for people who take their cars into auto detailing shops regularly because if you get them cleaned every week or two that means there isn’t as much dirt buildup over time so you’re not paying more money every month because they have to do an extensive cleaning job with each visit.
The price of polishing and waxing varies according to many factors, but it is generally affordable.
The cost of polishing and waxing is dependent on a variety of factors: the size of your car, how dirty it is, and how much polish and wax they use. Other factors that influence cost include the region you live in, what type of wax you choose, and if you ask for additional services such as paint conditioning or scratch removal.
According to our experts, for a mid-sized car that’s relatively clean with minimal to no scratches, polishing and waxing will cost between $50 and $150. However, some car detailing professionals say that cost can vary widely based on their own methods or the products used. You should also keep in mind that some professional detailers may charge by hand instead by job.
