Car Polish can be the best way to buff out any imperfections or scratches and make your car look as good as new.
However, with so many options on the market, it can be hard to find the product that is right for you.
In this article we break down everything from ease of application to abrasiveness to help you find the car polish that best meets your specific needs.
1. Meguiars Ultimate Car Wash and Wax (Top Pick)
Meguiars Ultimate Wash and Wax is very impressive for the price. While not necessarily a substitute for a real wax and buff, it is exceptional for a wash and wax type polish. The solution has a rich colour and a creamy texture which will bring your car back to life.
Applying it is easy and when you rinse off the water comes off in sheets, leaving only beads. It does a great job of cleaning the car and doesn’t strip the clear coat. It also suds up nicely, so you don’t need to use very much.
Use this between waxes for general upkeep and to extend the time before the next wax.
What We Like:
- Easy to apply
- Gentle on your clear coat
- Inexpensive
What We Don’t Like:
- Still not as good as a proper wax
2. Meguiar’s 3-in-1 Car Wax
This is another great product from Meguiar. It’s easy to apply and remove; polishing a whole car takes less than an hour. It will remove light imperfections but don’t expect miracles, this isn’t going to save a beat-up paint job.
Compared to a dedicated three-step wax using a compound, polish, and wax, this will perform about 70% as well, but it takes only one-third of the time.
You may decide this is the better option given the time it saves. It also removes very little clear coat, so it may be a better choice if you want your paint job to last a long time.
What We Like:
- Easy to use
- Fast and effective
What We Don’t Like:
- Won’t remove some scratches
- Not as good as a full wax
3. Mothers Professional Finishing Car Polish
This product from Mothers is a finishing polish. Use it after a compound to prepare your car for waxing. It will help remove most imperfections, although a really bad paint job will still have problems afterward.
It is an excellent product to use when you want to take the time to really polish your car and bring out its best. Using this, along with an appropriate compound and wax, will make your car as glossy as shiny and glossy as possible. This will give you a real professional polish.
Some people have found that it can be a little difficult to use by hand. Since it is dark-coloured, it also tends to stain the pad you use to apply it.
Overall, this is a great product to use when you really want to pamper your car.
What We Like:
- Good preparation for waxing
- Removes many imperfections
What We Don’t Like:
- Can be hard to use by hand
- May stain the applicator pad
4. NU FINISH The Once A Year Car Polish
Nu Finish is a well-known brand that has been around for a long time. It is easy to use; it dries in 30 seconds, then you just wipe it off. It leaves your paint job very smooth, like glass, and doesn’t require any hard rubbing.
It doesn’t give as high a gloss as some other waxes, but the finish lasts for a long time. It is also a lot less hassle to apply.
Some people have found that it is difficult to remove if you are polishing your car in direct sunlight. The polish dries hard and takes a bit more effort to remove.
This is very gentle on paint as it doesn’t remove any clear coat, but it won’t fix imperfections. It’s good to use on a new car, then apply it now and then to keep your paint job in good condition.
What We Like:
- Easy application
- Fast
- Lasts a long time
What We Don’t Like:
- Not the highest gloss
5. Turtle Wax Quick & Easy Wax & Dry
This application from Turtle Wax is incredibly easy to use. After cleaning your car, just spray it on and then dry. This is the easiest way to wax your car.
It leaves good gloss that looks almost as good as a professional detail. The shine will last for a week or so if you are parked outdoors, longer if you’re in a garage.
Of course, it won’t do as good a job as a proper wax, and some people have found that they get watermarks if using hard water to clean the car. In that case, you can dry off the car before applying this with a damp cloth.
It’s a very fast, very inexpensive way to wax your car that you can use regularly with good results.
What We Like:
- Very easy to use
- Inexpensive
What We Don’t Like:
- Doesn’t last as long as waxing
- Hard water may leave marks
Car Wax and Polish Buyer’s Guide
Keep the following things in mind when choosing a wax or polish for your vehicle:
Age of your car
If you have a new car, you won’t really improve on the shine so it’s best to use something that will preserve the finish. As your car ages, you can touch it up with a spray wax to keep it glossy.
If you have an older car, you may need something to remove small scratches and imperfections in the paint job. If your paint has begun to oxidise or has embedded grime, use something that is good for cleaning, such as liquid wax.
A full, three-stage wax, will preserve your car the longest, and remove imperfections, but will also wear down the clear coat. Do this sparingly to get the most life from your paint job.
Abrasion
Many polishes are abrasive and can leave your paint job looking cloudy if you aren’t careful. Choose something mildly abrasive for a new car, and save the heavy abrasives for scratched and damaged paintwork that you need to smooth out.
Also, keep in mind that darker cars show scratches more than lighter cars.
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Plastic
Some polishes will leave a visible residue on plastic parts. Take stock of how much plastic is on your car when you choose a polish. Newer cars, especially, have a lot of plastic parts, such as the bumper, door trim, and plastic body panels. If a residue forms on them, you will need a plastic cleaner to remove it.
Types
Car waxes come in three types:
- Liquid – this tends to be the best for cleaning
- Paste – this tends to be the easiest to handle
- Spray – this is the easiest to use but doesn’t last long
Car Polish FAQs
1. Clean your car as usual using soap and warm water
2. Remove any stubborn items from your car’s surface, ideally using a product like a “clay bar”
3. Give the surface another spray with water and then dry using a microfibre cloth
4. For the application of your polish, be sure to check the product’s instructions, as they do vary
5. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off any excess polish
1. Remove floor mats and depending on their material either vacuum or scrub with soapy water
2. Vacuum the interior of the car (including seats) using a good car vacuum cleaner, making sure to use the appropriate extension to get in between seats. Move your seats back and forward to access all floor space.
3. Use the vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to vacuum around the dashboard and gear stick and air vents
4. Clean the seats using an upholstery cleaner
5. Use a small towel and all purpose cleaner to clean around the doors
6. Use a towel and all purpose cleaner to clean around the dash, air vents, and glove box
7. Clean the windows of your car using first an all purpose cleaner to remove grime and then a glass cleaner to finish the job
