There is something deeply satisfying about seeing your car gleaming and it often draws plenty of admiring glances and compliments when it looks so good.

So what’s the secret behind that great finish, and which the best car polish to use?

Here are some pointers on the best features to look out for if you want to achieve a professional finish with your car polish.

Spot the difference

The first thing to say is that it pays to understand that there is a fundamental difference between a wax and a polish.

Polish has abrasive qualities that are used to remove any minor blemishes and imperfections and it is the product you need if you are looking to achieve a noticeable clarity and depth in the finished shine, which gives you the best chance of restoring your vehicle to its showroom sparkle.

A wax applies a layer of protection that helps to maintain that gloss, so they both play a key role in making your vehicle look its best.

Premium quality is best

It is often said that you get what you pay for and that can definitely be the case when it comes to the various polish products available in the marketplace.

Being driven by the cheapest price could turn out to be a purchasing decision you regret as you could end up with a product that is designed to appeal to the lower end of the market but won’t give you the professional finish you want.

Some of these cheaper polishes contain fillers and that means they are often chalk-based, which means you are filling rather than correcting a problem.

Don’t be tempted to go for a cheap polish that contains these fillers as it often proves to be a false economy.

Best way to apply the polish

It is also worth noting that there are polishes that are specifically designed to be applied by hand and others that are suitable for machine application.

It is advisable to check the manufacturer’s instructions to verify if the polish you are buying is designed to be applied by hand or machine so that you get the best results.

The reason this makes a difference is that a machine polisher is able to break down abrasives into fine particles which would not be a suitable scenario for hand polishing.

Versatile application conditions

It makes sense to find a car polish that is versatile as well as giving you a good finish.

For example, you can get a once a year car polish that can be applied in direct sunlight and requires very little buffing to get a professional finish.

Being able to apply polish in direct sunlight is much more flexible than having to wait until the right conditions are available, allowing you to get the job done in a timeframe that suits your schedule.

Take the time to read about the features of each polish product you are interested in and you should be able to find one that does everything you want at the right price, allowing you to bask in the glory of all of those admiring glances from fellow motorists.