Polishing Bonnet

Polishing bonnets are cloth disks with an elasticated band which can be placed over the foot or plate of a machine polisher.

There were typically several kinds, some kind of muslin cloth for applying polish/wax, towelling for removing polish/wax, or lambs wool for polishing. 

They are a rather old-fashioned way of going about polishing in relation to cars and are not used much professionally now, although they are still used on retail polishers with more modern materials such as microfibre.

What it means

The bonnet is the large hinged metal (or sometimes aluminium or composite) panel at the front of a car that lifts up to give access to the engine bay, fluids, battery and other components. In British English we say “bonnet”, whereas in American English the same part is normally called the “hood”. It usually latches at the front and may have a safety catch and gas struts or a support rod to hold it open.

Why it matters

• Access and maintenance: The bonnet is opened for routine checks and repairs – oil, coolant, washer fluid, battery access and most under-bonnet servicing all depend on it opening and closing properly.
• Safety and structure: A correctly aligned, securely latched bonnet is important for crash performance and to prevent it flying up while driving, which can completely block the driver’s view.
• Appearance and value: Being a big, flat, front-facing panel, the bonnet shows stone chips, dents, bird-lime etching and swirl marks very clearly, so its condition has a big impact on how tidy the car looks overall.

Where you’ll see it

You will see “bonnet” mentioned on bodyshop estimates, smart repair quotes, detailing price lists and inspection reports – for example “bonnet respray”, “bonnet stone chip touch-in”, “bonnet machine polish” or “bonnet dent removal”. It is also common on MOT advisories and insurance paperwork where damage to the front of the car is described.

Context

Detailers and bodyshops often talk about the bonnet separately because it is a key panel for machine polishing, paint correction and ceramic coating. It usually receives more attention than smaller panels as it catches light and reflections, and is one of the first areas customers look at. In electric vehicles with a front storage compartment (“frunk”), the front panel is still commonly referred to as the bonnet, even if there is no traditional engine underneath.

Common mistakes

• Confusing “bonnet” with “hood” and thinking they are different parts, when they are just UK and US terms for the same panel.
• Calling the fabric roof of a convertible the “bonnet” instead of the roof, hood or soft top – the bonnet is the front metal panel, not the roof.
• Closing the bonnet from one corner or slamming it hard, which can twist the panel slightly and affect alignment and gaps over time.
• Placing heavy objects on the bonnet or sitting on it, which can cause dents and creases that are difficult and sometimes expensive to repair.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 17/11/2025 17:14