Car polishes
To update the exterior, there are a lot of products, including car body polish. This is a special chemical that helps restore paintwork to its former luster and “remove” minor scratches and abrasions. Plus, some types of polishes have the ability to repel dust and water, due to which the car gets less dirty, and dirt from it will be much easier to wash off with water.
A clear example of the benefits of polish for a car body. The photograph clearly shows the difference in the condition of the body before and after
There are currently three types of car polishes on the market:
- abrasive;
- wax;
- synthetic.
They differ from each other in composition (contain abrasive substances, silicone, wax) and have different tasks.
Abrasive
An abrasive type of car polish is used only when it is necessary to remove minor scratches and abrasions on the paintwork of the body. Just remove it, and not disguise it, as is the case with other types. These products are called abrasive because they contain abrasive substances such as clay, chalk or marble powder. The essence of their action is that they clean off a small layer of paintwork on the body in order to give it freshness.
It is worth remembering that you need to use this polish very carefully. Every time you “update” the body of your car, abrasive substances remove a small layer of varnish.
The best effect of abrasive polishes is noticeable when using a special grinder
Perhaps, it is not worth saying that due to ignorance and lack of skills, you can overdo it and remove the extra layer of paintwork. Before starting work, you should carefully read the instructions for the paste or contact a professional.
After the body has been “passed” with an abrasive polish, its surface is coated with a special protective paste.
Wax
One of the most common types of polishes is wax. It is believed that this is the fastest and most effective way to add shine to varnish and rich color. In addition, wax has water- and dust-repellent properties. This product can remain on the body for quite a long time. It all depends on the quality of the protective paste itself. Those that are cheaper last on average for a couple of months, and when using more expensive copies, the layer can last on the body for a couple of seasons. It is necessary to take into account that wax polish can easily be knocked off by a powerful stream of water at the sink.
Synthetic
Today there are three types of synthetic polishes on the market:
- restorative;
- polymer;
- silicone.
They differ in composition and principle of interaction with paintwork.
Depending on the type and purpose of the polish, manual application is possible
Restorative pastes are needed to renew the layer of old enamel on the surface of the body. Thus, the color becomes more rich and vibrant.
The most affordable are polymer compounds that create a thin layer on the car’s paintwork. They do a pretty good job of restoring body paint and protecting it from small branches and bushes.
Silicone pastes are very similar to wax pastes in their properties and effect.
Recommendations for choosing polish
Before buying a 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 to simply wash the vehicle thoroughly and dry it.
Here are the points you need to pay attention to:
- What kind of treatment does the body need: remove mechanical damage, complex defects, contamination, or simply cover it with a hydrophobic material. In accordance with this, either a regular polish or an abrasive paste will be purchased;
- Is it necessary 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 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 substances for treating bodywork, there are also polishes for glass and plastic. Let's briefly look at some popular 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: | Release form: | Advantages: | Flaws: |
"Turtle" TurtleWax (Original) | Liquid; paste | Microscopic mineral abrasive, which 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. | In liquid form it is consumed very quickly |
LiquiMoly 7644 | Liquid; paste | Easy to apply; Wax base with silicone elements; Eliminates differences associated with minor abrasions; Gives the body a rich shine; You can use car polishing; Budget price. | Consumes quickly; Designed only for new cars or those that have been recently painted. |
DoctorWax 8307 | Liquid; paste | Facilitates the cleaning of heavy soiling; Protects against corrosion; Copes well with shallow scratches (effective only within the varnish ball); Restores the richness of paints. | To remove scratches, you need a paste with abrasives. |
The best polish for automotive plastics
Polishes intended for processing body paint cannot be used on plastic surfaces. Other substances have been created for this purpose.
Here is a small comparison of the most popular product positions:
Name: | Release form: | Pros: | Minuses: |
Nanox(8344) | Paste; spray | Can be used on any plastic surface; Lasts a long time; Gives freshness to old panels; Can be used for plastic optics as a preventative against the formation of clouding; Prevents the accumulation of dust. | Only those related to the irrational use of products (personal opinion of opponents of auto cosmetics). |
Meguiars (G12310) | Gel | Used for transparent types of plastic; Eliminates minor abrasions of head optics; Can be used in conjunction with machine polishing; Can be used to process the dashboard and dashboard; Lasts a long time (up to three months). | Due to its versatility, the substance is more expensive than its analogues (almost twice). |
DoctorWax(5219) | Paste | Restorer for dashboards and plastic bumpers; Has hydrophobic and antistatic properties; Lasts a long time; Ideal for preparing a car for sale. | Inconvenient packaging, which is why some amount of the product remains unused. |
How the product works
When applying absolutely any type of polish, it is worth remembering that it is necessary to clean the surface of the body from grease, dirt and traces of bitumen. Then you need to dry the body, apply the product in an even layer and let it dry. After this, wipe with microfiber, or use a sanding machine, depending on the type of polish. Details can be found in the instructions.
Due to the fact that a protective layer has formed on the surface of the paintwork, the body color immediately acquires depth and shine. Water and dust adhere less to polished parts of the body.
Autopolish application algorithm
Before you start polishing, you must thoroughly wash the body parts to be treated. Do not allow dust to remain on the paint layer - this is a natural abrasive if rubbed into the surface of the paintwork along with polish. If washing does not bring the desired effect, you will have to treat the car with a special degreasing compound, which is usually available in liquid form. Applying it and wiping the body dry is done with microfiber napkins. When starting polishing, you need to make sure that the following requirements and recommendations are met:
- The optimal temperature for car polish is 18-20°C; at lower values, you will experience difficulties with application, and the polish itself will not be soft enough to fill all surface defects efficiently. And the adhesive properties of the polish at low temperatures will not be very good;
- try not to polish in places where the sun's rays will fall on the car - the composition will dry too quickly to be able to carry out corrective actions (for example, removing excess polish);
- rub the product in smooth circular motions, making sure there are no streaks;
- It is best to work with a sponge, napkin or other material,
- included in the car polish kit.
Finally, here is a small rating of the best car body polishes, based on customer demand data:
- The undoubted leader on the Russian market is products under the Turtle Wax brand. The company's assortment includes both budget products costing from 220 rubles, as well as professional car polishes that have a long-term effect;
- Sonax products are an ideal option if your goal is to restore the original shine and richness of the car’s paint, hiding small defects (for this purpose, the kit includes a special pencil);
- Doctor Wax polishes are well known to Russian consumers for their optimal ratio of cost to efficiency of use.
Please note that each of these manufacturers has polishes of all types and forms, so you should not have any problems with choosing the necessary product.
For plastic and leather
There are also polishes designed to care for plastic interior elements. There are also those that work with leather and rubber parts. These funds serve two purposes. Firstly, they allow these materials to return to their original appearance, creating the impression of a new interior. Secondly, a plastic, leather or rubber surface treated with a special polish is covered with a protective layer that prevents fading in the sun, and also has dust- and water-repellent properties.
For a black car
Black color is very delicate and capricious.
Special polishes make it easier to care for. It is worth noting that all types of polishes are suitable for bodies painted black. But still, there are special polishes on the market that are designed specifically for black cars. Such protective pastes can give the car body the effects of acrylic, pearlescent, metallic or even diamond paint.
In what forms are they sold?
Now on the market polish is sold in the following forms:
- liquid;
- paste or cream;
- solid.
If using liquid formulations (for example, aerosols) you can spend quite a lot of liquid at one time, then with paste the situation is much better. I applied the paste, waited for it to dry, and then rubbed it with a clean microfiber cloth.
Professionals prefer to use solid polish. In their opinion, this composition is more convenient to apply, however, this type of polishing takes more time. At the same time, liquid types are much faster and easier to use.
Useful video
Check out more information about car polishes in the video below:
Any polish will give the body paintwork freshness, the colors will regain their saturation, and small scratches that were “planted” during the operation of the car will disappear. In addition, the top layer of the “native” paintwork will be protected from external influences. We recommend reading the instructions for each specific product. After all, through ignorance, you can ruin the paintwork of the body.
This is especially true when using an abrasive polish and a special grinding machine. The car body begins to become covered with scratches and abrasions. And the paintwork fades due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation and deteriorates under the influence of special chemicals...” />
How to choose the right car polish
Regardless of what kind of car polish you want to choose for the body of your car and will use, professional or wide range, their functions are almost identical. They protect the car from such influences as:
- Ultraviolet radiation. Bright sunlight causes the body to gradually lose its original color and begin to fade.
- Chemical reagents. The most relevant in winter, when utility services sprinkle roads with salt and other compounds that are designed to destroy the ice structure. But at the same time, these same reagents rapidly destroy the paintwork and become one of the main causes of corrosion. And in the warm season, another danger appears in the form of bitumen and resin.
- Dirt and stains. The presence of a protective coating prevents dirt from being deeply eaten and absorbed into the body. This makes it much easier and faster to wash the car without damaging the paintwork.
- Mechanical damage. Light contacts with other cars, minor impacts from branches, driving near bushes and other similar damage.
If we talk about ordinary motorists who are interested in which car polish is best, then the emphasis is on amateur products. When using them, manual polishing of surfaces is possible. It is almost pointless to buy professional solutions, since in the conditions of a simple car owner’s garage it will not be possible to use them as efficiently as possible. You will have to purchase special equipment, study processing technology and spend a huge amount of time.
Therefore, within the framework of this material, you will find out which manual car polish is really better and what kind of polishing there is for independent use.