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
Rrp: £14.99
Rrp: £14.99
The best car polish
Best polishing kit
Best polish for high gloss
Rrp: £15.10
Rrp: £15.10
Best polish for dark colours
Best versatile polish
Best cheat option
Best 2-in-1
Rrp: £11.02
Rrp: £11.02
Best metal 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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