As a professional car detailing service with over 15 years of experience, Scrubs Car Detailing Brisbane has seen its fair share of dull, scratched, and swirl-marked paintwork. A cut and polish is an excellent solution for revitalising your car’s paint, giving it a fresh and polished appearance. Here’s a straightforward explanation of the process, along with some expert tips.
What exactly is a cut and polish?
A cut and polish, also known as paint correction, is a transformative process for your car’s paintwork. This two-step process involves resurfacing by removing a thin layer of the clear coat to eliminate imperfections such as swirl marks, light scratches, and oxidation, which can make your car look older than it actually is.
How it works:
- The Cut: This step involves using specialised abrasive compounds and pads to smooth out imperfections in the clear coat. It’s similar to finely sanding a piece of wood.
- The Polish: After the cutting process, a finer polish is applied to remove any remaining minor imperfections and restore a brilliant shine.
Can a cut and polish remove scratches?
This is a common question. A cut and polish can effectively remove light scratches and swirl marks—the fine, spider web-like patterns that become visible under certain lighting conditions. However, if a scratch is deep enough to catch a fingernail, it is generally too deep to fully level out by a cut and polish but can be made far less visible by removing the sharp edges that reflect the light.
How long does a cut and polish last?
Unlike wax or ceramic coatings, a cut and polish is not a protective layer that diminishes over time. Instead, it corrects the surface of the paint itself. While theoretically, the results could last indefinitely, in real-world conditions—where your car is exposed to sun, rain, dirt, and other elements—the shine typically begins to fade over the years as washing and drying add micro scratches. For optimal protection, we recommend following up a cut and polish with a high-quality sealant or even better a ceramic coating.
How much does a cut and polish cost in Australia?
The cost of a cut and polish in Australia varies based on several factors, including the size of your car, the condition of the paint, the level of correction required, and your location. On average, a professional cut and polish can range from $400 to $800. For high-end vehicles or those needing extensive work, costs may exceed $1000. While this may seem like a significant investment, it can greatly enhance your car’s appearance and has proven to add significant value to a car’s resale.
Is a cut and polish the same as waxing?
No, a cut and polish is not the same as waxing. A cut and polish removes a small amount of the clear coat to smooth out imperfections, while waxing adds a protective layer over the paint to shield it from environmental factors. Think of a cut and polish as sanding out the scratches of an old wood table, whereas waxing is like applying a bee’s wax to add gloss and protection but wont remove the wear tear marks.
The importance of professional service
While there are DIY cut and polish kits available, we strongly recommend leaving this task to professionals. Cutting into your car’s paint is irreversible; once the clear coat is removed, it doesn’t regenerate. Mistakes can result in thin spots or even burn through to the colour coat.
A professional detailer will:
- Measure your paint thickness before starting
- Use the appropriate products and techniques for your specific paint type
- Prepare the paint correctly to ensure safe polishing
- Use quality polish compounds not generally available to the public.
- Know exactly how much clear coat to remove for optimal results
- Have the necessary lighting and expertise to identify and correct imperfections
The aim is to remove the least amount of clear coat necessary to achieve a flawless finish, a balance that requires experience to achieve.
Ready to give your car’s paint a new lease on life?
At Scrubs Car Detailing Brisbane, we have been perfecting our cut and polish technique for over 15 years. Our team of paint correction specialists uses the latest equipment and techniques to enhance your car’s finish. We meticulously prepare, test, and inspect your paint at every stage of the process, ensuring excellent results while maintaining the integrity of your paintwork.
Don’t trust your car’s finish to just anyone. Experience the Scrubs difference. Give us a call or book online today, and let us bring that showroom shine back to your vehicle!
