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  4. Should I get my car professionally polished?

Should I get my car professionally polished?

Quick answer: If you want true swirl/scratch reduction and a glossy, long-lasting finish, yes, get it professionally polished. Pros decontaminate first, measure paint safely, use the right machine/pad/compound combos, inspect under lights, and avoid holograms/fillers. DIY can improve gloss, but it’s easy to create buffer marks; a pro result better supports resale and ceramic protection.

If your car is looking dull, showing swirl marks, wash-marks or “cob-webs,” or if its paint seems tired, then yes — a professional machine polish can make a really noticeable difference. Machine polishing removes fine scratches, light blemishes and oxidation that normal washing can’t touch, then buffs the finish to a high shine. It’s a transformation that brings back that almost-new look, or even better.

But polishing isn’t a one-and-done fix. Once you’ve invested in getting your car’s paintwork looking sharp, it’s worth protecting it properly. Without protection, all those scratches, UV damage, and oxidation will creep back in, and you’ll be back to square one. That’s where a semi-permanent or long-lasting coating, especially a ceramic coating, comes into play. It seals that freshly polished surface, reduces micro-scratches from washes, and slows down hazing from sunlight or pollutants.

Before you commit, consider a few things.

  1. Are you polishing it to keep the car or to get more money when you sell?
  2. How bad is the paintwork? If there are deep scratches or damage, even the best polish won’t erase them completely - it can usually make a huge improvement but don't expect perfection.
  3. How often are you prepared to maintain it? How much 'punishment' does the car get? Either way, a coating will help with protection and ease of maintenance, but may affect the type of product you require.
  4. What’s your budget? Professional polishing + protection will cost more up front, but in the long term it can save you from more serious paint-repairs, which are far more expensive.

So yes, professional polishing is a smart choice when your paint is dull or showing its age. Just make sure the job is done properly and follow up with a high-quality protection layer. Do that, and you’ll keep your car looking sharp for the foreseeable future.

Written by . Last updated 19/09/2025 15:08

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