Car polishes - what are they and their purpose

Car care requires not only changing parts and consumables on time. Every driver wants to ride not just some kind of transport, but one that would not be ashamed to appear in a big city. To give the car freshness, various kinds of car cosmetics are used.

Let's consider what polishes are used for, and also discuss some recommendations for their use.

What are polishes for?

The first purpose of these substances is to treat the body to create a pleasant shine and freshness of the paintwork. In addition to its beautiful appearance, the car receives additional protection from adverse weather conditions (even the usual warm sunny weather negatively affects the paintwork).

During the operation of the car, microcracks and scratches form on its body, which lead to the destruction of the protective layer of the varnish. This can lead to faster and more uneven fading of the base coat.

The polish provides:

• Elimination of micro-gaps, making the varnish layer even, which prolongs the protective properties of the upper layer of the paintwork;
• Can restore the area of ​​burnt paint (it depends on the composition and type of product);
• Allows you to create an additional protective layer that prevents the aggressive effects of chemicals (included in the mixture used to remove ice in winter) or water in wet weather.

When the vehicle is driven on the road, sand, small stones and other abrasive particles hit the body. As a result, not only a scratch may form, but also a crack in the paintwork.

Some polishes simply fill microscopic voids. Others react with the varnish protecting the paint and peel off a small layer to fill the void with the same material.

There is a misconception that such a product is just a part of automotive cosmetics, which you can do without. Such a car enthusiast, of course, may not use these substances, and his car will continue to drive. It's just that the rate of corrosion formation under the main paint layer will accelerate, since it is much easier for moisture to penetrate through cracks and micro-chips.

The main types of polishes and their composition

Today, the niche of car cosmetics is so huge that it is impossible to mention in one review all the tools designed to improve the gloss of a car and protect it from moisture and dirt.

Each manufacturer uses its own reagents and substances, the effectiveness of which may differ greatly even from similar products from other companies. If we conditionally divide all polishes, we can distinguish three main types:

• Which contain abrasive substances;
• With a wax base;
• Synthetic look.

Let's consider each type separately.

Abrasive car polishes

As the name implies, the product contains fine solid particles. Their action is that they remove the differences between the even layer of paintwork and the scratch. These products can be composed of marble powder, chalk or clay.

It is worth noting that this is the category of car care products that is used only in the most difficult cases. For example, it can be a car with stubborn stains or deep scratches.

Most often, these polishes are used together with other products that create shine on the treated surface. This category of substances provides recovery after unsuccessful parking or heavy dirt.

If abrasive pastes are used without other polishes, the treatment will not give the desired effect of restoring a presentable appearance.

The peculiarity of such polishes is that they will not mask the defect, but remove it by removing a certain layer of varnish. For this reason, the use of abrasive pastes requires careful and correct work. Otherwise, the car paint will be damaged.

Car body wax polishes

The second category of polishes have wax in their structure. This is primarily a hydrophobic material. For this reason, it is used as additional protection after a thorough cleaning of the vehicle has been carried out.

This coating gives the body the same freshness and shine, and also creates a protective film that prevents moisture from contact with the varnish during rain or fog. This protection prevents accelerated corrosion in poorly machined areas of the machine.

Wax body polishes are popular because in most cases they will not be expensive, and improper use only leads to ugly stains on top of the car.

Depending on the type of product, the protection can last up to several washes. However, the very first wash, if it does not remove the wax layer, then deprives the body of the shine. This is the main disadvantage of such products.

Synthetic car polishes

These car polishes are used in the following situations:

• To restore the enamel layer. Most often, the substance is used to treat metallic or enamelled paintwork. Since the polish contains synthetic chemicals, the material is quite aggressive. For this reason, the bodywork procedure must be carried out by a specialist, and after application, the surface must be covered with a protective material. Otherwise, oxidation of the paint is ensured, which will make it dull.
• To create an extra hard layer over the varnish. Such materials protect against minor mechanical damage, such as the formation of small scuffs as a result of sand on the road or poor-quality car wash. A variety of such polishes is liquid glass. This tool needs to be discussed separately, so this topic was created separate review.
• To form a protective layer, similar to wax analogs. The property of the material is almost identical to classic polishes, and the effect is just as short.
• Separately, it is worth mentioning the innovative technology, which is also used to protect the body from even more serious damage than exposure to sand. It is a liquid rubber that has its adherents and opponents. Although it cannot be classified as a standard polish, therefore, there is a A separate article.

In what forms are polishes sold?

The answer to this question will help the motorist determine how to perform the bodywork procedure. Although, here, rather, ease of use matters. So, manufacturers sell their products in this form:

• Liquid polish. This is the most expensive category of funds, and besides, it is not the most economical. The fact is that liquid is difficult to apply to the surface. If a special sponge is used, it will absorb a large amount of the solution. Some car owners simply pour some of the polish onto the surface and then spread it over the entire part. This method is only good for horizontal parts of the car. Also, the product cannot be applied in a thick layer to enhance the effect.
• Solid material. They are most often purchased by professionals, since one bar can quickly and easily process several cars. They can be applied in two or more coats. Such substances contribute to the preservation of the richness of the color, but it will take longer to polish than in the case of other analogues.
• Pasty products. These polishes are very popular among motorists, as they are very easy to use. The polish can come in a tube or small box like shoe polish. Can be applied in several layers. Even those who have little experience in performing such procedures can polish the car. The main thing is to follow the instructions.

Who might be interested in polishes

These funds have both adherents and those who consider auto cosmetics a waste of time and money. The second can be understood, because the protection of the body creates a short-term effect, and those substances that are firmly fixed on the surface, when they lose their properties, begin to crawl around, spoiling the appearance of the car.

Adherents of avopolyols explain the need to use these products for the following reasons:

1. Preserve the paintwork of the car you bought a long time ago;
2. Prevent the destruction of paintwork as a result of exposure to various chemicals;
3. The unstable layer facilitates the process of cleaning the body from adhering dirt, bitumen or insects;
4. Protection from moisture on damaged surfaces;
5. Improves transport antistatics - less dust collects on the car and it does not get electrocuted when the driver or passengers get out of it.

Recommendations for choosing a polish

Before buying polish, you need to decide what effect you want to achieve. If some substances require serious preparatory work, then before using others, it is enough just to thoroughly wash the vehicle and dry it.

Here are the points to pay attention to:

• What kind of treatment does the body need: remove mechanical damage, complex defects, dirt, or simply cover it with a hydrophobic material. Accordingly, either a regular polish or an abrasive paste will be purchased;
• Do you need to use additional funds. For example, after removing scratches, the car will need to be treated with a protective soft polish;
• If you plan to use abrasive materials, then you need to consider whether a layer of varnish allows you to do this. The fact is that in most modern cars this ball is very thin, so the use of such substances will further aggravate the problem - stains will appear on the paint.

In addition to car body treatments, there are also glass and plastic polishes. Let's briefly consider some of the running options, as well as their pros and cons.

The best polish for car body

Here is a comparison table of some car body polishes:

Name:	Product form:	Advantages:	Disadvantages:
"Turtle" TurtleWax (Original)	Liquid; paste	Microscopic mineral abrasive that allows you to remove a slight layer of varnish; Wax base - protection from moisture; Lasts about three weeks; Belongs to the category of budget materials; Has many positive recommendations; Can be used on hubcaps and rims.	It is consumed very quickly in liquid form
LiquiMoly 7644	Liquid; paste	Easy to apply; Wax base with silicone elements; Eliminates the differences associated with minor abrasions; Gives the body a rich shine; Car polish can be used; Budget price.	Fast consuming; Designed only for fresh cars or those that have been recently painted.
Doctor Wax 8307	Liquid; paste	Facilitates cleaning of heavy dirt; Protects against corrosion; Excellent copes with shallow scratches (effective only within the lacquer ball); Restores the richness of paints.	To remove scratches, it needs a paste with abrasives.

The best polish for car plastics

Polishes intended for the treatment of body paintwork must not be used on plastic surfaces. For this, other substances have been created.

Here is a small comparison of the most popular items of the product:

Name:	Product form:	Pros:	Cons:
Nanox(8344)	Paste; spray	Can be used on any plastic surface; Long-lasting; Gives freshness to old panels; Can be used for plastic optics as a prophylaxis against haze formation; Prevents dust accumulation.	Only associated with the irrational use of funds (personal opinion of opponents of auto cosmetics).
Meguiar's (G12310)	Gel	It is used for transparent types of plastic; Eliminates minor scuffs of head optics; Can be used together with machine polishing; Can be used for processing dashboards and dashboards; Lasts for a long time (up to three months).	Due to its versatility, the substance is more expensive than its counterparts (almost twice).
DoctorWax (5219)	Paste	Restorer for dashboards and plastic bumpers; Has hydrophobic and antistatic properties; Long-lasting; Ideal for preparing a car for sale.	Inconvenient packaging, due to which a certain amount of the product remains unused.

The best polish for car glass

As for this category, for the effectiveness of polish on glass, special components must be included in the composition of the substance. Here are what the professionals recommend:

Name:	The form:	Advantages:	Disadvantages:
Hi-Gear(5640)	Liquid	Creates an excellent hydro-barrier, preventing water droplets from staying on the windshield; Allows you not to use wipers (depending on the strength of the rain); Facilitates the removal of fresh dirt simply by a jet of water; Fills in micro-scratches; Cheap cleaner.	It lasts until the first use of wipers, although the effect is still preserved for some time; Strong smell of alcohol.
Sonax (273141)	Paste	Formulated with active chemicals that make it easier to remove dust and dirt; Fills voids in scratches; Prevents clouding of head optics; Creates waterproofing.	High cost (even more expensive than premium body polishes); Some paste remains in the tube.

For more information on how to protect the paintwork, see the video:

Car paintwork care. Body polishing.

Questions and answers:

What is a good car polish? For shine, you can use Adam`s Polishes Brilliant Glaze. To protect paintwork (dark colors) - Soft99 Coat 12 Months Protection for Dark 00300. Colored wax based polish - Sonax Polish & Wax Color Nano Pro.

What is the polish for? The polish is used to protect the paintwork of the car body from the aggressive effects of sunlight and moisture. The substance allows you to keep the car's appearance presentable.

What is polish? It is a liquid or pasty substance, often wax-based. It may contain small abrasive particles to remove minor scratches from the paintwork.