Why do cars need polishing?
Quick answer: Because paint is soft and picks up wash marks, fallout and oxidation. Over time, especially with cheap car washes or weak protection, the finish dulls. Polishing safely removes light defects and dead paint, restoring gloss and making the car look newer; regular protection afterwards keeps it that way.
Cars need polishing because although bright and shiny when new, the paintwork is actually rather soft and prone to collecting scratches from washing. It can also suffer from environmental contamination such as industrial or natural fallout, and it can become oxidized. All these issues can be worse if the car wasn't given quality paint protection from the beginning in the form of regular waxing or a semi-permanent coating such as a ceramic or polymer coating.
Without a good and regular washing routine, many of these problems can be made worse. Many of the problems which make your car's paintwork look old are introduced by cheap car washes. Both automated car washes and hand car washes can have their problems and do damage to your car.
Having your car professionally polished can greatly improve the appearance of your paintwork, or even make it look like new.
There’s also a really practical upside: resale value. A car that glows in good light, with crisp paint, minimal scratches and that “fresh-from-dealer” shine, sends out all the right signals to prospective buyers. It tells them this vehicle has been well cared for. Even if it’s just aesthetic, appearances count. That clean, carefully kept finish can often tip the balance, meaning you’ll get more for it when you come to sell.
On top of that, there’s the simple pleasure of driving something that looks like new all the time. Every time you pull out from your driveway, park up, or just glance in the mirror, you’ll feel a sense of pride. It’s not about vanity, it’s about the experience, about enjoying ownership.
Looking after the paintwork, preserving that showroom gloss, isn’t just for the future buyer... it’s for you, every single day!
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 19/09/2025 15:14