Skip advert
Advertisement

Wheel polishes

Maintain that freshly cleaned shine on your alloys by using a rim wax. We test the top 10

If nothing but the best will do for your car, you can't ignore wheel polishes. Apply them after cleaning your alloys and you'll not only give a shine to the rims, but also slow the build-up of brake dust and make them much easier to clean in the future. Well, that's the manufacturers' claim, at least... but does wheel wax work - and are such products worth the time, money and effort?

Advertisement - Article continues below

To find out, we put 10 of the leading lights through their paces. We sourced the polishes and kits from accessory shops and the Internet, then assessed them for four weeks, during which time our test car covered 1,600 miles.

Verdict

You have to be keen to buy a wheel polish. They do reduce brake dust build-up and ease cleaning, but are time-consuming to apply and some are pricey.
Still, our top two don't break the bank; Autoglym wins and Turtle Wax comes close behind. And for top protection, try the compre-hensive Muc-Off kit.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,640Avg. savings £2,419 off RRP*Used from £8,995
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,705Avg. savings £6,173 off RRP*Used from £8,938
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,805Avg. savings £4,597 off RRP*Used from £7,595
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,045Avg. savings £4,673 off RRP*Used from £12,390
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New BYD Dolphin G arrives in the UK for a huge £6k less than key rivals
BYD Dolphin G Goodwood

New BYD Dolphin G arrives in the UK for a huge £6k less than key rivals

The BYD Dolphin G supermini gets big-car technology, with all versions costing less than £30,000
News
10 Jul 2026
New MG2 previewed at Goodwood by striking MG GO! concept
MG GO! concept Goodwood - Pete Gibson

New MG2 previewed at Goodwood by striking MG GO! concept

Racy small-car concept has finally been shown to the public, with new electric supermini due in 2027
News
9 Jul 2026
New Freelander 8's interior is an incredible screen-fest
New Freelander 8 - front

New Freelander 8's interior is an incredible screen-fest

Auto Express has confirmed the Freelander 8 will come to the UK in 2027… just don’t call it a Land Rover
News
10 Jul 2026