It’s a common misconception that polishing is the same as “waxing” – however, they accomplish very different things! Polishing corrects surface imperfections (textured and/or scratched surfaces) by leveling the surface so light bounces off in straight lines. Waxing involves sealing a surface (and to some extent, filling imperfections) to prevent oxidization and corrosion – this is a temporary effect, however, because filling agents are often stripped away during washes.

Metal polishing is a multi-step process consisting of the use of consecutively finer sandpaper, buffing wheels, and polishing compounds to achieve the best possible results. The initial sanding steps are the most critical to the polishing process; however, many polishers minimize or eliminate these important (but time-consuming) steps to reduce costs, which typically results in sub-standard finishing.

Spectrum’s pricing includes all the necessary sanding and polishing steps to achieve excellent clarity and finish quality. Reducing sanding or polishing stages is not our preferred practice, but we will work with our customers to meet their budget requirements.

Show-quality finishing, in contrast, can take significantly more time and materials than even our standard process - please discuss your budget and requirements at the time of booking to help us ensure we will have the necessary time to complete your project.