Table of Contents
In this review, we take a look at the best car polishes available on the market to restore the wow factor to your vehicle. Polishing your car doesn’t just improve it’s visual appearance, it also extends the life of your paintwork repelling dirt and debris.
Only Got 5 Minutes?
Stuck for time and would like a brief overview of our best picks? Sure.
1. Autoglym Super Resin Polish
The undisputed king of car polish. Autoglym Super Resin Polish produces exceptional results whilst being extremely easy to use. Autoglym are an established car care company based in the UK and have been producing car care products for almost 60 years. Afford not one but two royal warrants, Autoglym really know their stuff.
SRP contains resins and fillers which do a superb job at hiding and disguising imperfections such as swirl marks and scratches. Specialised emulsifiers and conditioners gently clean and condition paintwork whilst providing protection.
Super Resin Polish is extremely easy to use and also quite forgiving if applied too heavily. If you do use too much, it can be slightly difficult to use so try and stick to the “less is more” approach when applying.
The key features of Autoglym Super Resin Polish are;
- Extremely easy to use with clear and concise instructions
- Produces a glossy and shiny finish
- Treated surfaces are resistant to deterioration
- Available in a range of sizes from 325ML to 1L
2. Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound is an aggressive, abrasive compound which can remove the most severe oxidization and swirl marks. It features a micro-abrasive technology which cuts extremely fast and restores clarity. Meguiar’s are one of the industry leaders in car care and produce a magnitude of products ranging from polishes to wash mitts.
Ultimate compound can be applied hand via an applicator pad or with the use of a machine polisher. If you’re in the market for a machine polisher, check out our review and buyers guide below
The Best Car Buffers Review and Buyers Guide
The key features of Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound are;
- Removes oxidization, swirl marks, water spots and blemishes
- Can be used hand or machine polisher
- Produces a mirror like finish
- Supplied in a 450ml bottle
3. Meguiar’s G19216EU Ultimate Car Polish
Another top product from the American powerhouse car care specialist. Ultimate car polish gives deep reflections and high gloss finish. It’s nowhere near as aggressive as Ultimate Compound so therefore won’t remove and correct defects as well, but produces stunning, glossy results. Conditioning oils add depth of colour and maximum gloss prior to waxing, especially on dark coloured cars. Ultimate car polish will remove light swirl marks and is safe for use on all types of paint finishes.
The key features of Meguiar’s Ultimate Polish are;
- Provides a beautifully clean and crisp surface ready for wax
- Safe for use on all types of paint finishes
- Produces deep reflections and a high gloss finish
- Supplied in a 473ml bottle
4. Farecla G10 Finishing Compound
Farecla products are most commonly found on the shelf of a professional bodyshop, less so in a home setting. Nontheless, they produce excellent products designed to deliver stunning results. G10 finishing compound leaves a glossy finish whilst having the ability to remove light swirl marks and scratches. It can be used hand or via a machine polisher and brings back lost colour and life in old paint.
The key features of Farecla G10 Finishing Compound are;
- Produced a trade specialist
- Leaves an extremely glossy finish
- Removes light swirl marks
- Can be applied via hand or machine polisher
- Supplied in a 500ml bottle
5. MER – The Ultimate Polish
MER are an extremely reputable German brand of car care products who have built up an outstanding reputation over many years. The Ultimate Polish contains conditioning agents which nourish and restore dull paintwork whilst removing micro scratches and swirls.
Ultimate Polish is the final stage product before moving on to wax protection.
The key features of MER – The Ultimate Polish are;
- Restores Dull Paintwork
- Easy to apply and remove
- Removes micro scratches and swirl marks
- Can be applied hand or machine polisher
- Supplied in a 1L bottle
What’s The Purpose of Car Polish?
Car polishes are designed to enhance and protect your car’s paint finish. They do this removing surface scratches, oxidation, swirl marks and other imperfections. Maintaining your car’s paintwork is a key part of vehicle ownership and plays a key part in your car’s value.
Polishes are abrasive which means that they have a varying degree of “cut” to them. This means that they cut away very small micro layers of your top layer of car paint. This top layer of paint is actually a clear lacquer which would applied at the factory when your car was produced. Clear lacquer is applied in several thick coats which then protects the underneath base coat colour of the car. When applying a polish to the paint, you’re actually cutting away a very very small layer of the lacquer to remove imperfections and reveal a lovely shiny layer of lacquer.
Don’t be too alarmed this “cutting” process, it’s virtually impossible to cause any damage to the lacquer using a hand polish. Generally, you shouldn’t have to polish your car all that often. Following up with a good quality wax after you’ve polished is key to this… more on that later.
How Often Should I Polish My Car?
The answer to this will vary based on a number of factors but generally speaking, we advise polising your car around 2-3 times per year here in the UK. If you’re a bit of a car cleaning enthusiast then you’ll likely polish and wax your car much more than this, and that’s absolutely fine but as a general rule of thumb, we would say 2-3 times per year.
After polishing, the key to “locking in” your blemish free paint is to apply a good wax. The purpose of the wax is to seal the paint and provide it with a protective barrier to prevent any further damage from the elements. Always try and follow up polishing applying a good wax.
What’s The Difference Between Polish and Wax?
Ahh, the age old question. Polishing and waxing are two completely different things but try to remember this one important rule;
- ALWAYS apply polish before wax, never ever apply wax before polish
Polish is an abrasive product which means that it’ll have a level of cut to it. If you were to apply a wax, and then apply polish, the polish would completely strip and remove the previously applied wax.
Now that we’ve established the order of works, it’s important to understand the differences between the two.
A polish is designed to remove minor imperfections in your paintwork such as micro scratches, swirl marks, water spots etc. Polishing your car will remove all of the aforementioned defects which will be stealing your car of it’s gloss and clarity. We have seen instances of car’s being so badly swirled and hazed from improper washing and drying techniques, that we were unaware it had a metallic paint finish! Once the car had been polished, a gorgeous, deep shine appeared.
A wax is there to provide protection to the newly polished paint surface and add a deep shine and gloss to the paint. There are a magnitude of different waxes available however, they all aim to protect your paint. Waxing your car should always be the final step of your cleaning process. It’s important to remember to always apply a wax after polishing, failure to do so will result in the paint being unprotected and more exposed to road salts, dirt etc.
How Do I Apply Car Polish?
Polishing your entire car requires a little bit of time and effort but is an extremely rewarding process. Follow these simple steps to achieve great results
- Thoroughly dry your car after washing
This is a really important step. Always ensure your car is completely dry before attempting to polish. Make sure all nooks and crannies are completely dry and areas such as underneath the wing mirrors, rubber seals and door shuts etc are dry too.
- Apply the polish
Begin thoroughly shaking your polish and then applying to your applicator pad. If you don’t have an applicator pad, you can use a microfibre cloth but we think an applicator pad works much better. Load up your pad with polish and begin working on your first panel applying the polish in a circular motion ensuring that all parts of the panel are covered. Once you’ve covered the panel fully, move on to the next one.
- Remove the polish
Once you’ve allowed around 10-15 minutes for the polish to dry to a haze, it’s time to remove. Take a fresh microfibre towel, begin buffing and continue until all polish residue has been removed. Repeat on all other panels until you’ve covered the entire car.
When complete, you should notice a much more vibrant look to your paintwork, free of minor imperfections.
Our Top Pick Best Car Polishes
1. Autoglym Super Resin Polish
The undisputed king of car polish. Autoglym Super Resin Polish produces exceptional results whilst being extremely easy to use. Autoglym are an established car care company based in the UK and have been producing car care products for almost 60 years. Afford not one but two royal warrants, Autoglym really know their stuff.
SRP contains resins and fillers which do a superb job at hiding and disguising imperfections such as swirl marks and scratches. Specialised emulsifiers and conditioners gently clean and condition paintwork whilst providing protection.
Super Resin Polish is extremely easy to use and also quite forgiving if applied too heavily. If you do use too much, it can be slightly difficult to use so try and stick to the “less is more” approach when applying.
The key features of Autoglym Super Resin Polish are;
- Extremely easy to use with clear and concise instructions
- Produces a glossy and shiny finish
- Treated surfaces are resistant to deterioration
- Available in a range of sizes from 325ML to 1L
2. Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound
Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound is an aggressive, abrasive compound which can remove the most severe oxidization and swirl marks. It features a micro-abrasive technology which cuts extremely fast and restores clarity. Meguiar’s are one of the industry leaders in car care and produce a magnitude of products ranging from polishes to wash mitts.
Ultimate compound can be applied hand via an applicator pad or with the use of a machine polisher. If you’re in the market for a machine polisher, check out our review and buyers guide below
The Best Car Buffers Review and Buyers Guide
The key features of Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound are;
- Removes oxidization, swirl marks, water spots and blemishes
- Can be used hand or machine polisher
- Produces a mirror like finish
- Supplied in a 450ml bottle
3. Meguiar’s G19216EU Ultimate Car Polish
Another top product from the American powerhouse car care specialist. Ultimate car polish gives deep reflections and high gloss finish. It’s nowhere near as aggressive as Ultimate Compound so therefore won’t remove and correct defects as well, but produces stunning, glossy results. Conditioning oils add depth of colour and maximum gloss prior to waxing, especially on dark coloured cars. Ultimate car polish will remove light swirl marks and is safe for use on all types of paint finishes.
The key features of Meguiar’s Ultimate Polish are;
- Provides a beautifully clean and crisp surface ready for wax
- Safe for use on all types of paint finishes
- Produces deep reflections and a high gloss finish
- Supplied in a 473ml bottle
4. Farecla G10 Finishing Compound
Farecla products are most commonly found on the shelf of a professional bodyshop, less so in a home setting. Nontheless, they produce excellent products designed to deliver stunning results. G10 finishing compound leaves a glossy finish whilst having the ability to remove light swirl marks and scratches. It can be used hand or via a machine polisher and brings back lost colour and life in old paint.
The key features of Farecla G10 Finishing Compound are;
- Produced a trade specialist
- Leaves an extremely glossy finish
- Removes light swirl marks
- Can be applied via hand or machine polisher
- Supplied in a 500ml bottle
5. MER – The Ultimate Polish
MER are an extremely reputable German brand of car care products who have built up an outstanding reputation over many years. The Ultimate Polish contains conditioning agents which nourish and restore dull paintwork whilst removing micro scratches and swirls.
Ultimate Polish is the final stage product before moving on to wax protection.
The key features of MER – The Ultimate Polish are;
- Restores Dull Paintwork
- Easy to apply and remove
- Removes micro scratches and swirl marks
- Can be applied hand or machine polisher
- Supplied in a 1L bottle
Just so you know, we may earn a small commission through the links on this page but we think that’s a fair trade off for the hours of research and time that we put in.