Services
Insurance
Repairs
Advice
About

How can I shine up dull car paint?

How do you make old car paint look new again? Over the years, my car’s paint has gradually become more dull and faded. I want to restore it to help with the overall aesthetic of my car.

avatar
Phoebe Mah · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“To make dull car paint shiny, first remove all the built-up surface dirt,
bugs, and tar
with a car wash. Then, let the car air dry or wipe it down with a lint-free cloth.
Make sure the car is parked in the shade so the surface cools. Parking somewhere covered regularly will also prevent the sun from fading the paint.
Now, get ready to buff!
For best results, you will need a dual-action buffer and a quarter-sized amount of liquid rubbing compound. Apply the compound to the pad, then place the pad against the surface of the car paint. Turn on the buffer, working from the front of the car to the rear.
Work the buffer in small circular motions and avoid lingering on one area too long. As you continue to work in circular motions, the liquid rubbing compound will disappear into the paint to create some shine. Feel free to add more compound if needed.
Once you have the shine, don’t forget about the glossy finish!
Swap the buffing pad for a clean polishing pad. Similar to the previous step, work the car polish over the surface of the car in small circular motions.
​​Voilà! Your car should be shiny again.
Since you clearly care about keeping your ride in great shape, make sure your car insurance has your back. The
Jerry
app makes it easy to shop around for the policy you need at a price you can afford. Jerry gathers quotes from up to 50 top insurers in minutes and delivers the best deals straight to your phone for free.”
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings