1. Knowledge Base
  2. Car Paint Protection
  3. Types
  4. What is show shine?

What is show shine?

Quick answer: “Show Shine” is a quick, high-gloss finishing treatment used to make a car look its best for display. It boosts depth and slickness and may lightly mask minor marring, but it’s short-lived and not a substitute for long-term protection.

A show shine product is usually sprayed on and buffed off, and generally contains oils which will make the car very shiny, but don't last long, often only hours.

These kinds of products are not designed to offer any protection, and as the name suggests are ideal if you are displaying the car at a car show and wish to put a little extra shine on it, or need to buff off some fingerprints or smudges.

In many ways, this is similar to a quick detailer, but because they may contain silicone oils, they are very much avoided by professionals who may need to work around body shops. Such products are rarely bodyshop safe and can cause serious problems. However, they are fine for enthusiasts who want to add a quick extra gloss.

Written by . Last updated 13/10/2025 16:10