Car polish and car wax get used interchangeably by many of us. That’s fair enough because the labels on some products can’t get it right either. But there is a difference.
Polish is an abrasive product that works by removing the top layer, or layers, of paint protection on a car in order to get a shine. It sounds destructive but don’t be disheartened. A good polish is very gentle in the way it works. They have extremely fine abrasives that don’t damage your car’s precious paint but polish effectively. The abrasive nature of a proper polish makes it useful as a scratch remover, too. But equally, you won’t want to use it too often.
The severity of abrasiveness varies from polish to polish. Those meant for casual weekend use, such as those we recommend here, are very fine. Those meant for restoration jobs are much heavier and known as cutting compound.
Wax, meanwhile, is a protectant and therefore fundamentally opposite to polish. Either in its natural form, synthetic version, or ceramic coating, it adds a protective layer to your paint but isn’t as shiny. Wax is used in this way because it’s hardy, doesn’t really come off when wet and has fairly high heat tolerance, too. Carnauba, for example, the most common car wax, has a melting point of over 80°C.
With your new understanding of these products, consult our list of the best car polish products below.
The best car polish
Editor’s pick
Most of us desire a polish that is easy to apply and makes our paint look great. The standard polish from Sonax is a top performer in both of these aspects. What’s more, it’s great value. For your weekend car polishing session, this is as good as it gets and that’s really all there is to say. See for yourself.
The best car polish
Best polishing kit
British brand Autoglym delivers top-notch car care products loved by many because they simply work. The Super Resin Polish enjoys the same benefit, and this set comes complete with a polish applicator and finishing cloth. It works on all paint types and colours. A thin film will give a great shine, and extra pressure applied to scratches and marks will help get rid of them.
Best polish for high gloss
In pursuit of generating great colour from your car’s paint, look no further. This product from Sonax is moderately abrasive to achieve a greater depth of paint restoration yet also delivers a very high-gloss finish to the paintwork. Personal tip: get extra enjoyment by taking before and after pictures. Available in 1L and 250ml bottles – 250ml priced here.
Best polish for dark colours
Rrp: $20.00
Price: $15.91
Meguiar’s products are popular but that is not why we’re recommending its Ultimate Car Polish. The conditioning oils in this concoction give a richness of colour, especially to darker paint. Dark-coloured paint is hard to keep looking sharp, but this polish coupled with a hydrophobic protectant will have your wheels looking enviously glamorous.
Best versatile polish
The classic of the polishing world, T-Cut has been fixing paintwork since 1954. A favourite among grandparents, T-Cut is still an effective option for restoring dull and damaged paintwork and can be used on more than just cars. The formula makes it safe for uPVC windows, appliances and even bare metal. It’s also safe to use on older cars that may not like modern polish formulas.
Best cheat option
For those who lust after car shine but consider the task of car cleaning absolute tedium, then this Greased Lightning Starter Pack is for you. Spray on and wipe clean one body panel at a time and you’re done. We’ve tested it and it gives a good shine, even some levels of protection, but you do get through the litre quite quickly.
Best 2-in-1
In an ambitious attempt to cover both ends of the spectrum, Turtle Wax has pulled it off – remarkably. While the hybrid Turtle Wax has the usual mildly abrasive polishing agents, it also uses a synthetic wax to get the shine. It’s a hydrophobic formula too, helping to bead water that falls on the paintwork. If you want the best gloss and protection, use dedicated polishes and waxes, but as a convenience, this works surprisingly well.
Best metal polish
This metal polish isn’t designed to be used on regular car paint but instead on bare metal surfaces (chrome, steel, brass, copper, chrome and aluminium). A brilliant choice if you own a classic slathered in chrome detailing, it will also be useful on more modern cars, polishing exhaust tips, grilles and the like. It’s also ideal if you own a DeLorean DMC-12 and want to give the stainless steel a polish.
Applying car polish
The easiest way is by hand, using a microfibre cloth – check out our recommendations for the best microfibre cloths.
When the paint is dry after a wash, then you can apply the polish. All the products have directions, but the general rule of thumb is to add a few drops to your cloth and spread it over the paint in small, overlapping circles to evenly and thoroughly apply the polish. Check how long the polish needs to be left before removing it with a clean microfibre cloth.
You can also use a dedicated polishing tool, though it’s certainly not necessary. By hand is our suggestion.
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