How to choose a polish for a car body

13 best car polishes

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Car polish is a multifaceted and important element of the autochemical industry, with more than a dozen varieties and methods of working with it. The basic component of its composition has always been abrasive particles of varying degrees of softness and dispersion, which have a mechanical effect on the workpiece. During the development of production technologies, the composition underwent many changes and modifications, as a result of which the abrasive base was either completely excluded from it, or (for the sake of increasing the complexity of the action) it was reinforced with other elements.

Today, dozens of large and small companies that occupy leading positions in the segment of auto chemical products are engaged in the production of car polishes. The difficulty of choosing in such a situation lies entirely in the abundance of options. In this regard, the editors of Expertology, together with a number of in-house experts, have prepared a rating of the best polishes in four main categories. The selection was made based on the following parameters:

1. price criterion;
2. performance indicators (efficiency, components, duration of action);
3. the degree of harmfulness of the compositions to humans and their effect on various surfaces of the car;
4. popularity of the manufacturer in the Russian market.

How to choose a polish for a car

It is advisable to select car polishes based on the type parameter. In this case, they can be divided into the following groups:

1. Pastas. Thick multi-component compositions that require application with special brushes or sponges. They are divided into three types: abrasive, waxy and synthetic.
2. Abrasive pastes . This type of polish is based on various abrasive particles, such as chalk, marble powder or clay. It has a pronounced cleansing effect, but they should be used very carefully. When applied correctly, such pastes allow you to remove small scratches on the paint, but they themselves can serve as a source of abrasions and lead to scratching of the layer.
3. Wax pastes. The most popular type of polish, designed to give the body (or individual elements) shine and color correction. Requires preliminary washing of the parts to be treated from dirt, after which it is applied to the surface in a thin layer. As a rule, one treatment lasts for an average of three months, after which the procedure must be repeated.
4. Synthetic pastes. A very “rich” type of car polish, divided into three large groups: restorative, polymer and silicone. All of them, in one way or another, provide the body with a stable film coating that prevents the negative impact of environmental factors on the paintwork. However, at the same time, the restorative synthetic paste is capable of “building up” metal at the sites of chips, cracks and scratches due to the action of polymer additives located inside the listed defects. A very effective and inexpensive solution to the problem with the appearance of the body.
5. Liquids . This group of polishes has the same properties as pastes, but uses different methods of application to surfaces. Most often on the market you can find aerosol compositions containing one main component, but polishes with the mutual action of all three elements (synthetics, abrasive and wax) are also not uncommon. They are characterized by higher consumption, but easier application and better penetrating ability.
6. Foam. Derived from liquid polishes with improved penetrating functions. It is used primarily in products for treating plastic panels (especially textured ones), since application to the body requires a lot of time.