Polishing frequencies

[shimmy23]

I see many of you detail your cars twice a year and some up to 6 times a year. Are there any concerns about paint/clear coat longevity from polishing the paint this many times? Seems like a lot of you are using a somewhat aggressive polish, then finisher, then sealant.

[//steve\\]

I personally would rather limit polishing to every 2 years maybe? and even then if you're properly maintaining it really shouldn't require more than a light polish.

I'd rather do it less frequently, be very careful washing, and learn to live with not 100% perfect paint at times than risk blowing through all the clear.

Thankfully my car is Alpine White so it hides small imperfections very well.

My car isn't a daily though and once I detail it I'll using a coating. My goal with that is to not have to touch it for 5 years aside from regular washing and an occasional decon wash.

[wyatth]

Agreed, I hope the guys doing it 2-6x/yr are not polishing it every time. Proper sealant should mitigate the need for more polish in future details. I would have the same clear coat concerns.

[Helmsman]

Agree too. Mine is polished 2 times during 9 years. Believer in being carefull with the paint and keep it clean. At some point I'd like a 1 stage correction though, but didn't want to rip my complete front car clear bra off yet.
AW here as well which obviously is big diff vs black.

[dparm]

The whole point of using something to remove swirls/scratches it that you are doing something very harsh just once, knowing that you will be using other methods to minimize them in the future. That could mean clear bra, wax/sealant/ceramic, changing your washing technique, or whatever.

Plus, once the surface has been prepped and scratches have been removed, doing basic maintenance applications of the above treatments is much easier.

I too share your concern, OP, in people who go crazy with aggressive compounds so often.

[shimmy23]

I typically clay bar once or twice a year. Isn't that somewhat minor marring? I then finish it off with a mild finisher then seal

[SoCalRPM]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

I typically clay bar once or twice a year. Isn't that somewhat minor marring? I then finish it off with a mild finisher then seal

Correct! Clay is an abrasive and can cause minor marring - probably not much - but avoid claying unless it's absolutely necessary or you're going to paint correct after.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by wyatth

Agreed, I hope the guys doing it 2-6x/yr are not polishing it every time. Proper washing/drying should mitigate the need for more polish in future details. I would have the same clear coat concerns.

Fixed

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by SoCalRPM

Correct! Clay is an abrasive and can cause minor marring - probably not much - but avoid claying unless it's absolutely necessary or you're going to paint correct after.

I do an annual clay. Isn't a clay necessary for a paint decontamination prior to sealant, wax or protective coating?

[SoCalRPM]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

I do an annual clay. Isn't a clay necessary for a paint decontamination prior to sealant, wax or protective coating?

Somewhat a subjective answer but a physical decontamination (clay) and a chemical decontamination (iron x or similar) prior to polishing/compounding helps to prevent any particulates from getting caught in the pad and further micro-marring (or worse) the paint.

If you just want to re-up on a sealant, or protective layer without a full polish/paint correction then you can certainly get away with just a strip wash (something to remove the built up waxes) and a decon (like claying) but only IF the paint needs it.

Run your fingers gently along the clean and dry surface of your paint. If it's as smooth as glass, you don't need to clay. If you feel little tiny bumps - then a physical decon (clay with lots of lube!) will help remove those particulates before you apply your protection.

Hope that answers your question!