Skip advert
Advertisement

Hycote Pro Valet black polish review

Polish hides swirls and scratches in your bodywork, but takes some effort to apply

Hycote Pro Valet

Price: £8.99 (500ml)
Contact: www.hycote.co.uk

Colour-specific polish can mask unsightly scratches and swirls in your paintwork and restore your car’s showroom shine. Hycote says its new Pro Valet gives the perfect finish in 40 minutes, so we tested it on a dull black wing panel.

We squirted a small blob of the black liquid on to a lint-free cloth, then buffed in a circular motion to apply a light coating. You leave this for one minute until it hazes over, and buff off with another cloth. The process took two minutes, so 40 minutes for a whole car seems about right.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s hard work, though, and you have to use a fair bit to get a good result, so it’s not great value. Deeper scratches require a second application, and you have to take care not to get the black formula on your clothes, as it stains. But the polish’s fillers and pigments masked the fine swirl marks and left an impressive shine.

Pro Valet is also available in blue, red and silver, and at £9 for 500ml it’s cheaper than the £13 Poorboy’s World Black Hole. But Hycote doesn’t supply any cloths for application or a pre-polish cleanser. So a kit like Turtle Wax’s £25 Black Box, which includes the extras, looks better value.

Verdict

Rating: ★★★
What is it?
A colour-specific polish for you to hide swirl marks and restore your car's shine.
Problems?
No applicator cloths or cleanser included, only four colours available, hand-buffing is laborious.
Why buy?
Hides swirl marks, leaves a great finish, you don’t have to use a machine to apply.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £2,192 off RRP*Used from £20,921
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,795 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,584
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025