Apologies if this was covered last year (before my time, I'm afraid) but having seen the flurry of posts on the pros and cons of every conceivable polishing product, I thought the results might be of interest to some here, particularly those who prefer driving their S rather than slaving over it for hours.

The Which report (Dec 2003 I think) only really considered mainstream products (so no P21S, Zaino et al) and, amongst other things, assessed polishes for their finish (which it conceded was subjective), their ability to cover swirls and stains, and their longevity.

The latter is of particular interest to me as

1) I prefer driving the car to cleaning it
2) Black is a bitch to keep clean anyway
3) I don't have the patience to to spend 6 hrs+ buffing and polishing

On this board, we've had Rahula and his Rahulator (some kind of modded Stihl saw or grinder, I think! ) and posts detailing 47 layers of (invariably expensive) products. Indeed, it's surely only a matter of time before I read a post in which someone recommends licking the body to a wet look ... !!

Which examined the following products (overall score in brackets) :-

Ambersil AutoGroom High Gloss Polish and Wax (59)
Armor All High performance Car Wax (62)
Autocare Deep Shine Polish (59)
Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection (58)
Autoglym Super Resin Polish (61)
Car Plan Demon Shine (53)
Car Plan Triplewax (65)
CommaTop Gloss Car Polish (65)
Eagle One Wet Polish and Wax (59)
Halfords Colour Polish (71)
Halfords Rapid Car Wax (spray) (40)
Halfords Showroom Polish (64)
HalfordsWilliams F1 Team (67)
Mer Ultimate Car Polish (54)
SimonizMax Wax Cream Superfast (56)
SimonizMax Wax Liquid (60)
Simoniz Teflon Car Polish & Body Treatment (72)
Sonax Hard Wax (59)
TurtleWax Car Wax Wipes (57)
TurtleWax Color Magic Plus (77)
Turtle Wax Extreme Polishing Wax (55)
Turtle Wax High Gloss (spray) (57)
Turtle Wax Metallic Liquid (66)
Wonder Wax Mirror Finish (polish & glaze) (64)
Zym

 

They didnt try Zaino then?

 

Probably because it isn't easily available in the Uk.

 

The Which survey assessed results after 3 and 6 months. Only the Halfords Colour Polish, the TurtleWax Colour Magic Plus and the discontinued Simoniz product got a red star (good) at 6 months.

If anyone is interested in the full table of results, pm me and I'll mail the pdf to you.

Shiskine

 

Also known as 'the law of diminishing returns'!

Sundance

 

Up until recently I had only used 'Autoglym Super Resin' and 'Zymol Cleaner Wax'.

Now I only use P21S.

The reason is that it is quick and easy to use, it doesn't give white dust when rubbed off and it seems to attract less dust after it has been applied.

 

StevenM

How long does one of those tubs last you? I've seen prices for the 175gm (?) tub ranging from

 

If I ever use up the collinite, I shall switch to P21S as I've heard it gived the best results and is easy.

The Collinite is good, lasts well but is hard work.

I only use Autoglym super resin on my old Trek. It gives excellent results!

 

[QUOTE=shiskine,Sep 6 2004, 08:13 PM]

How long does one of those tubs last you? I've seen prices for the 175gm (?) tub ranging from

 

Many years ago a friend of mine used one of those "colour" polishes on his red Porsche 944. It turned all his black window seals a peculiar shade of pink, and he couldn't shift it....