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The 10 best car polishes to buy in the UK

Picture of a car polish

The best car polish will leave your vehicle looking great and protect it from surface damage, making it a worthwhile investment for most. However, with so many products to choose from, finding the right car polish for your vehicle can be surprisingly difficult, with many things to consider like the type of polish and the finish it provides.

To help with this, we have created a handy buying guide that covers all the information that you need to know to find the best car polishes.

What are car polishes?

Car polish is a cleaning product that removes dirt and small damages from the surface of a vehicle, restoring the paintwork in the process. Not to be confused with quality car wax, polishes are abrasives that are applied to the surface of a vehicle to remove small scratches, dirt, swirls, and other imperfections that occur over time.

Why should you buy a good car polish?

The best car polishes will significantly improve the appearance of your vehicle’s paintwork. As an abrasive cleaning solution, the polisher strips away a small amount of surface from the paintwork, removing imperfections, dirt, scratches, and oxidation that causes the paint to discolour, restoring it to its original appearance. For instance, if your car paint has lost its shine and vibrancy, applying polish helps restore the colour and shine, lasting for up to a year in some instances. This means, by using a quality car polish your car looks better for longer, no matter how old or worn it might be.

How to choose the right car polish in 2024?

Another picture of a car polish

Choosing the best car polish can be difficult because there are so many options available. So here are some things to consider before you shop online:

  • Formulation: Car polishes come with various formulations, some that are exclusively polishes and others that combine wax with polish for a more versatile product. These multipurpose products are more convenient but often lack the same quality finish as using a dedicated polish followed by wax. So it depends on what type of finish you want and the amount of effort you are willing to put in to achieve this.
  • Paint Type: Consider the type of paintwork on your car as it will influence what polishes are suitable. While polishes tend to work with most paint types, there are some instances where you may need a specific product. For example, using regular polish on metallic paintwork may cause swirling, so a polish designed for this type of paintwork is more suited.
  • Car Manufacturer: In most cases, European car manufacturers, especially German, tend to use harder paint so will therefore require a more abrasive car polish. Conversely, Japanese vehicles are usually painted with softer paint, meaning a less abrasive car polish is recommended. Always consider the car manufacturer to help you select an appropriate car polish.

What is the best kind of car polish in the UK?

Here are some of the best-selling types of car polish that you can buy:

  • All in One Car Polishes: As the name suggests, this type of product both polishes and waxes cars with a single solution. This is incredibly convenient as you can save a lot of time and effort by using the all-in-one solution to polish and wax, although the results do not last as long compared to using a separate polish and wax.
  • Standard Car Polishes: This is a dedicated car polish that uses an abrasive solution to remove a fine layer of paint, revealing a more vibrant coat underneath. It is the best option for removing defects like scratches and abrasions, although it can also be used to restore paintwork close to its original quality. Not to be confused with wax, which is applied after polish to provide a protective layer that prevents surface damage.

Top 10 list of car polishes in the UK (2024)

The bestseller list compares brands and their car polishes. Which car polish is the best?
Best choice TOP 1
Image of Autoglym SRP001 car polish
Autoglym Super Resin Polish, 1L - High Performance Car Polish for…
  • Apply a thin layer to the paintwork in overlapping circles to ensure even coverage.…
  • Use Autoglym Super Resin every few months as needed to maintain a superb shine
  • Buff to a deep shine with an Autoglym Hi-Tech Finishing Cloth or Mitt for
BUY NOW
TOP 2
Image of Meguiar's G19216EU car polish
Meguiar's G19216EU Ultimate Car Polish Pre-Waxing Glaze 473ml.…
  • Ultimate Wax should be used afterwards for best results
  • Generates flawless finish before final sealing step
  • Removes the finest swirl scratches
BUY NOW
TOP 3
Image of SIMONIZ SAPP0188A car polish
Simoniz Liquid Diamond Polish & Wax, Car Wax & Polish, Dual…
  • OVER 100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE: At Simoniz, we have spent over a century offering solutions…
  • PART OF YOUR ESSENTIAL CAR CARE KIT: This product is one part of the extensive range…
  • QUICK & EASY TO USE: For the best results when using Simoniz Simoniz Diamond…
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Offer TOP 4
Image of Turtle Wax 51795 car polish
Turtle Wax 51795 Original Liquid Car Wax Hard Shell Shine 500ml,…
  • Let it dry to a haze, then remove wax and buff gently with a microfiber cloth
  • Hard Shell Finish
  • Maximum shine
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TOP 5
Image of MER MASUP1 car polish
MER MASUP1 The Ultimate Polish 1L
  • Comes in a 1 litre bottle
  • It's also the final step in preparing paintwork for wax application
  • Conditioning agents nourish and restore dull paintwork, removing micro-scratches…
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TOP 6
Image of menzerna 22748.281.001 car polish
menzerna "One-Step Polish 3in1" I Medium Cut Polish with…
  • YOUR CAR IS SAFE WITH US – For more than 130 years, we – MENZERNA –…
  • BEGINNER FRIENDLY: Prepare your car by cleaning the surface thoroughly with the Menzerna…
  • BUFFING AND POLISHING are THE key steps to making your vehicle look brand new again.…
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TOP 7
Image of Meguiar's G17216EU car polish
Meguiar's G17216EU Ultimate Compound Colour & Clarity Restorer…
  • Perfect to use before waxing
  • Leaves a like-new finish and adds gloss in one step
  • Specialised abrasives restore surface clarity without scratching
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TOP 8
Image of CarPlan CDS101 car polish
CarPlan Demon Shine Spray On, Pink 1 L
  • LONG-LASTING: Provides long-lasting protection and keeps your car looking shiny and…
  • PROFESSIONAL FINISH: Gives your vehicle a professional valet finish with unscented…
  • EASY APPLICATION: Simply spray on, wipe off - no need to spend hours polishing your…
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TOP 9
Image of Autoglym RCS500EUR car polish
Autoglym Rapid Ceramic Spray Ultra Hydrophobic, 500ml - Tropical Scented…
  • Tropical scented coating product offers up to 3 months of durable hydrophobic protection,…
  • Can be used on PPF or vehicle wraps
  • Protects vehicle bodywork against damage caused by the natural environment
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TOP 10
Image of Autoglym UDS500 car polish
Autoglym Ultra Deep Shine, 500mL - Specially Designed Car Polish Made…
  • Made in Great Britain
  • Pro Tip: Do not allow the product to dry onto the paintwork for a long time, apply…
  • It doesn't just restore gloss to dull surfaces, but it is also ideal for removing…
BUY NOW
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We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We consider only products that are available on Amazon while the ranking is based on factors such as customer reviews, number of sales and keyword. Last Update: 2024/12/02.