Over time your vehicle’s paint can lose its shine and clarity. This typically happens from oxidation and the buildup of small scratches in the paint, referred to as swirls. Automatic car washes and improper hand washing can both lead to this swirling effect, while oxidation is most noticeable on older cars with single-stage paint. For example, most people have seen an old red car that is more pink than red as it has aged; the UV rays oxidize the paint and give it a lighter, chalky color.
This is important because the desired, mirror-like shine on a car comes from having a smooth reflective angle when the light hits it, and swirls can inhibit this. All of those small scratches will disperse the light in an uneven manner and take away from the reflection. Oxidized paint will give a flat, chalky look with typically zero or very little reflection.
Many people assume when the paint begins to look this way that it’s time for a new paint job or it’s time to buy a new car. However, by utilizing what is called an All-In-One polishing product, like Meguiar’s Ultra Polishing Wax, a detailer can restore the paint to a much better gloss and finish.
This is achieved by polishing the paint with a machine until the swirls are leveled and removed. Any deep scratches will not be removed by a simple paint enhancement, but it will remove a majority of the swirling. Also, by removing the oxidation, the deep color and clarity of your paint will come back as well.
After using an All-In-One Polish, the paint will be protected as well because there is a synthetic wax within these polishing formulas.
*Above is an example of clear coat swirls before and after removal from polishing.
*Below is an example of single-stage, oxidized paint before and after being polished.