Combination Product

There are two broad categories of product used when 'polishing' cars: those that add a sacrificial barrier to your paintwork to protect it after polishing, and those that remove dead paintwork during the polishing process. Combination products do both at the same time. They typically contain a very light polish for removing oxidized paint, while also adding a synthetic wax as protection. 

This can lead to some confusion as these products are seldom labelled as a combination product, instead being labelled either a wax, sealant or polish. The most famous example of this in the UK is AutoGlym's Super Resin Polish. It is a very good light chemical polish, it is also a very good wax.

 

What it means

A combination product sits between a pure polish and a pure wax or sealant. It contains mild cleaning or polishing agents to remove oxidised paint, road film and light marks, while also depositing a sacrificial barrier such as a synthetic wax or sealant. Instead of first polishing the paint and then applying protection as a separate step, a combination product attempts to do both in one go, which is why many of them are sold as cleaner waxes or all-in-one polishes.

Why it matters

• Saves time and effort: Cleaning and protecting in one step is quicker than doing a separate polish and wax, which is ideal for everyday cars or quick tidy-up services.
• Good for light tidy-ups: The mild cleaning action can freshen up dull paint and improve gloss without the commitment of full machine polishing and multi-stage protection.
• Explains confusing labels: Many well-known products are really combination products even though the bottle only says polish, wax or sealant, so understanding the term helps you choose and use them correctly.
• Highlights the compromises: Because they are trying to do more than one job, combination products usually offer limited defect removal and shorter-lived protection compared with dedicated products used in separate stages.

Where you’ll see it

You are unlikely to see “combination product” written on the bottle. Instead, you will see products sold as polishes, waxes, sealants, cleaner waxes or all-in-ones that both clean and protect. On valeting and detailing menus, they often appear as a hand polish and wax, wash and polish, or similar one-step enhancement service. In the UK, products like light chemical polishes that also leave a durable synthetic wax layer are classic examples of combination products.

Context

Professionals tend to distinguish between pure polishes, pure waxes and sealants, and combination products that do a bit of both. Combination products are popular for maintenance details, dealer valets and DIY users who want something simple. For higher-end work, detailers usually prefer to separate the stages - using dedicated compounds and polishes to correct the paint, then applying a chosen wax, sealant or ceramic coating for protection - but they still reach for combination products when time, budget or condition make a one-step approach more sensible.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a combination product will correct heavy swirl marks, scratches or serious oxidation that really need dedicated machine polishing.
• Expecting it to last as long as a proper paint sealant or ceramic coating, when most combination products offer more modest durability.
• Layering different combination products on top of each other and wondering why the finish looks smeary or inconsistent.
• Using a combination product every time the car is washed, forgetting that the light polishing element is still removing a little clearcoat on each use.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 17/11/2025 16:21