Can you polish off oxidization?

It is fairly easy to polish off oxidation and dead paint, even on old cars, with solid base paint which can be badly affected by redox. Dead paint, as it is often called, is soft and polishes off fairly easily.

Oxidised paint will come off during the process of machine polishing; however, it can be done with regular hand polishing. Products such as AutoGlym's Super Resin Polish is actually a synthetic wax, which puts a coating on your car and prevents oxidation, but it also contains abrasive beads and cleaners which will remove dead paint. The procedure for using them it to apply them to the paintwork is similar to any wax, using a sponge applicator so that the paintwork is fully covered, wait for them to dry at which point they go hazy, and then buff them off.

However, as this is a polish, during application you can apply liberally, rub it a little more vigorously and this will create a greater polishing effect. However, regular hand polishing will keep on top of oxidation.

Alternatively, you can use a pure polish, the most famous of which is T-Cut Original Restorer, which is designed for precisely this issue. Although an ancient product, it still works and is highly effective, although a little dusty. Just remember, T-Cut doesn't protect your paint, so you may want to apply some wax.

True Story: Some time in the late 1980s, the dealership I was working at took a red Colt Galant in part-exchange. It was about 15 years old, and the old man who owned it had hand polished it with T-Cut, religiously, every Sunday without fail, every weekend he'd owned it. It was in absolutely immaculate condition except, on every corner and hard edge of the bodywork, he's polished it all the way through to the primer!

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 05/01/2026 17:19