Cost of Polishing and Waxing a Car
On average, polishing a standard mid-sized sedan may cost anywhere from $80-$200. The best way to understand the cost is to book an appointment with a professional detailer who will assess the condition of your car and provide an accurate estimate before starting work.
Polishing Costs and Benefits
- A professional polish costs between $50 and $200 or more, depending on the car, shop quality, and level of detail chosen. Regularly waxing a car preserves the clear coat over paint that protects from contaminants.
- Polishing your car can make it shine by getting rid of scratches, enhancing dull paintwork, eliminating swirl marks, oxidation, and other contaminants. Car polishing should be done twice a year, with an average life of six months per polish.
How to Polish Your Car
- Wash and thoroughly dry your car
- Put polish on a foam pad or microfiber cloth
- Apply in a circular motion to one small section at a time
Polishing removes some clear coat to flatten and remove minor damage. As long as enough clear coat remains, and you don’t polish too often or aggressively, it’s safe.
Cost of Buffing
The cost to buff an entire car is estimated at $3,500 in 2022, with the average cost ranging from $20 to $50 per hour. The approximate cost of buffing a car can range from $50 to $125 for an average-sized vehicle and $75 to $150 for an SUV or van.
The pricing for waxing a car is similar to buffing and will depend on the detailer, with costs averaging between $50 and $150 for a waxing service. Waxing ensures protection and enhances the finish after buffing.
Factors affecting the price of buffing include the amount of paint damage, size of the vehicle, and number of paint layers needing removal. Major damage may require additional services like dent repairs or paint correction.
In summary, buffing and waxing services offer benefits such as removing scratches, leaving paintwork smooth, eliminating blemishes, and restoring shine, making the investment worth it.