Whether you’re restoring dull paint or erasing scratches, car polishing machines are a must-have tool for any detailing fanatic.
The pièce de résistance of the detailing process is that such machines significantly reduce the amount of elbow grease required to produce a mirror-finish shine on your driveway.
Can I polish my car at home?
Hand-polishing is the recommended starting point for car maintenance novices. After thoroughly washing and drying your vehicle, dab a small amount of polish onto a clean, soft cloth or foam applicator before applying it to the body of the car in circular motions, working in small sections.
The polish should be left to ‘haze’ (which means to develop a cloudy appearance) for five minutes before you buff it off with a clean microfibre cloth. This is an inherently more forgiving polishing process, and you’re less likely to damage the paint if it’s your first time. Full car detailing kits often come with polish, which can be applied by hand.
While machine polishing requires experience and practice, it’s something that anyone can pick up. Like hand-polishing, machines remove physical defects, only through a slightly more intense form of surface abrasion which removes a microscopic top layer of paint for a more uniform, shinier finish.
Auto Finesse compares machine polishing to using sandpaper on a block of wood: there are varying intensity levels which can be used depending on how intense the defects you’re looking to buff and polish away are.
What’s the difference between cutting, refining and polishing?
With Auto Finesse’s sandpaper analogy in mind, think of cutting, refining and polishing via different grits throughout the polishing process. The level of grit you use will be depend on the imperfections you’re hoping to fix.
Cutting and refining help to remove scratches and other imperfections from a car’s paintwork without damaging the pigment. A ‘cut and polish’ in the detailing world is also known as a simple paint correction. Refining is slightly less abrasive than cutting but also works to improve damage to paintwork.
How do I prevent a polishing machine from damaging my car’s paint job?
According to Auto Finesse, the majority of cars produced since the mid-1980s have two-stage paintwork. This means that following the application of a primer, the paint is applied twice: first the pigment, followed by a protective clearcoat known as the lacquer.
The result? Whether you’re cutting, refining or polishing, you’ll likely only be touching that top, clear lacquer coat. That said, always avoid areas you know have had a repaint. Professional detailers use paint depth gauges to stop themselves from polishing down too far.
What’s the difference between an orbital and rotary polisher?
Rotary polishers are more powerful than orbital polishers. The former features a buffing pad which spins at high speeds for intensive, concentrated action. The latter kind of polisher is recommended for beginners as it rotates the pad in – you guessed it – an orbital pattern, which better distributes the friction and prevents users from damaging paintwork.
What are swirl marks?
Swirl marks are the micro-abrasions that you’ll want to remove by polishing. They’re tiny, circular micro scratches that often resemble spider webs and are a consequence of improper washing techniques and environmental factors like dirt or dust.
What else do I need to go with my car polishing machine?
You’ll need polishing pads, a selection of polishing compounds, microfibre cloths, car wash soap and a clay bar. A clay bar helps to shift contaminants and pollutants on your vehicle’s surface and stop scratches from forming while polishing is underway.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best car polishing machines so that you can begin your home detailing journey with confidence and ease.
Protmex Cordless Car Buffer Polisher
Polisher type: orbital
Cordless, equipped with a pure copper motor as well as safe temperature control protection, this is a great orbital buffer for a first-timer.
It boasts six different speeds ranging from 2,800 rpm to 5,500 rpm to help evenly and thoroughly distribute wax and polish. It comes with eight different polishing pads, two wool polishing discs, four cloth covers and sandpapers with varying grits should you wish to embark on a full cut and polish.
Buy now £69.99, Amazon
VonHaus Dual Action Polisher Kit
Polisher type: orbital
Powered by a 600w input with six operation speeds up to 6,800rpm, this is a powerful but safe orbital polishing machine from the well-respected and DIY cult-favourite brand VonHaus.
It comes with a handy carry case, four cleaning pads, a microfibre cloth and a wash mitt for that all-important deep clean before the polishing process begins. Thanks to the ultra-safe, dual-action orbital oscillation, your car will remain scratch-free and marvellously shiny.
Buy now £69.99, Amazon
DeWalt DWP849X-GB 150/180mm 1250W Premium Variable Speed Polisher
Polisher type: rotary
This rotary polisher by DeWalt is more powerful than your standard dual-action orbital machine, so it’s equipped with an extra handle for comfort and stability while you’re using it. It also features a variable speed trigger, a large spindle lock button for speedily changing polishing pads, and comes with a large wool pad too.
Buy now £214.95, Amazon
Das-6 PRO Intro Polishing Kit
Polisher type: orbital
Compact enough to stash in your car boot, this collab pro kit from Das-6 includes a powerful heavy cut compound and finishing compound from Menzerna.
With premium dual-action orbital oscillation, the included machine buffs away imperfections while minimising heat and friction – thereby preventing any potential damage to your car’s precious paintwork. It also comes with an optional additional handle, along with all the tools you need to attach it.
Buy now £159.95, Amazon
ENEACRO Polisher
Polisher type: rotary
This rotary polisher by ENEACRO may be lightweight (2.5kg) for a professional-grade machine, but it certainly packs a punch.
Powered by a 1200W motor with six oscillation speeds of up to 3,500 rpm, the polisher also features a heat-resistant copper wire motor to allow for longer usage without the machine burning up. Two detachable handles are included so you can get a decent grip on the device while it gets to work.
Buy now £69.99, Amazon
FLEX PE 14-2 150 Rotary Polisher
Polisher type: rotary
A 1400w rotary polisher, the FLEX PE 14-2 has been designed to maximise airflow to keep the motor and gears cool during long projects.
It has an extra-long 4m cable, ergonomic grip handles, a continuous speed control trigger, and operates remarkably quietly for a rotary machine. It’s a professional-grade device, which is why it’s on the most expensive side. It doesn’t come with additional attachments.
Buy now £350.00, Halfords
Auto Finesse Complete Machine Polishing Kit
Polisher type: orbital
This ultimate polishing kit will take any detailing novice to expert level in no time.
Auto Finesse’s set allows buyers to carry out a full three-stage paint correction all from the convenience of their own driveway. Available as either a dual-action orbital machine or a compact, professional-grade MPX, you can also choose between an EU or UK plug.
Also included in the set are three different polishing heads, masking tape, microfibre cloths, a pad primer, a detailing brush, as well as an easy three-step set of polishing compounds.
Our favourite part? The polishing compounds are colour coded to match the polishing pads, so you know exactly which pad to use with the relevant polish.
Buy now £221.95, Auto Finesse
Liquid Elements T4200 Polisher Set
Polisher type: orbital
A professional-grade set with all the bells and whistles, this full kit from Liquid Elements features a T4200 dual-action orbital polisher. No matter the polishing job you’re facing, you’ll be sure that you have the right compound, for the set comes with heavy cut, fine cut, and ultra finishing compounds with the necessary coordinating polishing pads.
Buy now £218.38, Crop
