Body polish and shine: how to maintain and shine a vehicle

How to shine your car and maintain your bodywork?

Before we begin this guide to car body maintenance, it's important to explain the difference between a polish and a body polish:

• Body polish is used to correct imperfections on your car or motorbike. It removes scratches, micro-scratches and any visible or invisible defects from your bodywork.
• Car polish is used to add shine to your car or motorbike: it reinforces the Clearcoat, adds shine and protects your vehicle.

Tech'team tip: Do not treat the vehicle if the surface is hot or has just been exposed to the sun.

Car polish (correction stage): Car polish is a product most commonly used by bodywork professionals, but is also intended for private individuals. These are the most aggressive products for your vehicle, and are intended solely for polishing and correcting various damage to your bodywork. Over the years, the colour of your body paint can become dull and lose its shine with repeated washing. The weather, dirt and minor scratches can also take their toll on your car paintwork. To improve the condition of the bodywork, the use of a car polish is essential. The aim is to give the vehicle a new lease of life by making the paint shine and protecting it at the same time. But to do this, you need to choose the right car polish. Follow our Carross tutorial on car polishes and polishing waxes to avoid mistakes!

CAUTION : A polish can be more or less abrasive, so it's important not to repeat the application too often.

 

These two Scholl products: Shock2cut and S2 black are ideal for restoring an old micro-scratch or your damaged vehicle (hit by a trolley, slight catch on a door...). These abrasive pastes are irreplaceable for correcting defects. These products stand out from others thanks to their high cutting power and extreme shine.

How do you apply a polish to a car body?

Step 1 : Wash your vehicle

Step 2: Attach the spider pad navy blue to an orbital polisher

Step 3: Apply a few drops of polish to the pad

Step 4: Once the product has spread, it's important to use your orbital polisher to make circular movements on your bodywork.

Step 5: Wipe off any excess with a red microfibre cloth.

Tech'team tip: For a longer-lasting shine, we recommend polishing at a speed of 500 rpm.

 

Car polish (finishing stage): an S3 GOLD or S20 type polish is a product designed to revive your vehicle's shine and protect it. Ideal for vehicles less than two years old, it will thoroughly remove micro-scratches and make maintenance easier. This product provides in-depth nourishment and protection for the Clearcoat. So it's important to look after your car polish properly. The performance of polishes depends not only on their composition, but also on the use to which your car is put and the washing technique used. Buffing is essential before applying a protective wax.

PROTECTIVE PRODUCTS : Available in spray or liquid form, best used with a polisher. These products are designed for private individuals who want to give their vehicle a like-new shine, but also for car sales and bodywork professionals who want to deliver a shiny vehicle.

Tech'team tip: we advise you to work part by part for a more precise and cleaner result.

How do I apply a car polish to my vehicle?

Before applying a car polish to your vehicle, make sure it has been thoroughly cleaned (see which products to use to wash your vehicle).

Step 1: Wash your vehicle

Step 2: After shaking the product, take a polishing cloth and place a few drops of polish on it.

Step 3: Use circular movements on your bodywork.

Step 4: If your car is dark in colour, it's important to use an anti-hologram product for best results. Apply the product to the part of the bodywork to be treated, then wipe with a clean microfibre cloth.

Tech'team tip: It is essential to treat your car body in the shade, as the sun will dissipate the solvents in the product.

How do I apply car protection wax?

To protect your bodywork for the long term, we strongly recommend that you apply a protective wax after polishing.

Once your vehicle is completely clean, polished and shined, here's how to apply your car protection wax:

Step 1: Put a small amount of wax on a foam pad designed for this purpose.

Step 2: Apply evenly to the surface of your vehicle to be treated. Wait a few minutes, as a film of residue may form.

Step 3: Using a soft microfibre cloth, remove any excess product.

How do I clean my car properly?

To keep your car's bodywork looking as good as new, it's important to maintain it regularly, using the right products for the surfaces to be treated. Here's a summary of the cleaning products you can use to maintain your vehicle:

INTERIOR

Plastic surfaces : to clean your vehicle's plastic surfaces, purple cleaner is perfect! It's easy to use and leaves no residue.

Leather: this protective gel is perfect for maintaining the leather parts inside your car. This product gives a smooth, streak-free finish. As well as being easy to use, it's made from plant-based ingredients.

EXTERIOR

Complete cleaning : SAMPOL from the Scholl range is perfect for a thorough wash of your bodywork. It will restore your vehicle's shine. To remove the last remaining defects from your vehicle without too much effort, we recommend Scholl's SPAM product, perfect for all your vehicle's surfaces.

Tip: remember to use the XXL drying towel to avoid all traces of water and limescale.

Rim cleaner: to thoroughly clean your rims, RIM7 is perfect. Easy to use, this cleaner changes colour when ready to rinse.

Glass surfaces: Scholl concept ICE is a high-viscosity gel. It will remove all imperfections from your glass surfaces. Easy to use, we recommend using a clean cloth to wipe off any excess product.