Hair conditioner works just as well as car polish on your car. Here's the lowdown on why it works and how to use it.
You Can Polish Your Car With This Common Hair Product
It makes your hair sleek and shiny, but did you know it makes your car gleam too? Yes, ordinary hair conditioner works for polishing your car.
Like car polishes and waxes, conditioner contains lubricant and other ingredients that can polish and protect the surface. These will penetrate into the top layer of the paint, bringing back its luster and filling in and hiding minor scratches, says Chris “Moose” Pyle, an automotive expert with JustAnswer.com. It also leaves behind a thin layer of oil which repels water.
“The good part about the conditioner is it is fast,” says Pyle. “You rub a mixture of water and conditioner on a clean car, then rinse it off and towel dry. No hard rubbing and towel replacement over and over like you do when waxing.”
Here’s the lowdown on why using conditioner on your car works and how to use it.
Why Use Hair Conditioner to Polish a Car?
Many hair conditioners contain lanolin and silicone to add extra shine to hair. These ingredients will also make your car shiny and resistant to watermarks. Just be sure to choose a conditioner that contains lanolin or silicone (although you might prefer not to use silicone-based products on your hair).
Will Hair Conditioner Damage My Car?
While harsh detergents might dull the finish on your car, there’s no evidence that using a hair conditioner will cause any damage. “It will work on your car and it will not hurt it, but the appearance will not last long,” says Pyle. “Think about how often you add conditioner to your hair.”
Will Using Hair Conditioner to Polish My Car Save Me Money?
That depends. A cheap hair conditioner will do, so if you’re shelling out on high-end branded car products, then using a hair conditioner will definitely save a few dollars. For example, some car polish products on Amazon cost around $20, while a bottle of cheap conditioner will only set you back around $4.
“Other things people have tried are wood wax, WD40, Silicone and cooking sprays,” says Pyle. “Often, these are too oily and hard to remove the smears. They will work on a white car, but not others.”
How to Polish a Car With Hair Conditioner
- First, make sure you have everything you need before you start by checking out our guide to the best car wash kits.
- Choose an overcast day or work in the shade. Working in full sun means your car will dry quickly and you’ll end up with streaks.
- Hose or rinse your car down with clean water to loosen any dirt and dust.
- Add a little car wash soap to a bucket of water, and wash your car with smooth, straight strokes. Washing in circles can leave unsightly streaks. A microfiber mitt or cloth works best.
- Keep a sharp lookout for any grit or gravel that accumulates in your bucket. This can scratch the paint, so change the water in the bucket the water, if necessary. Washing your grubby wheels separately also helps avoid getting grit and grime on your paint.
- Wash one side of the car first, then rinse immediately to avoid soapy streaks. Then, work in sections, rinsing quickly.
- Once your car is squeaky clean, put 2 cups of water in a bucket and add about half a cup of hair conditioner. Smooth it over your car with your trusty microfiber cloth. Then hose your car down or rinse it with clean water and polish it with a dry (yes, you’ve guessed it) microfiber cloth.
Once your car is shiny, why not clean the interior too, or give it a showroom-style makeover to have the best-looking car on the block?
About the Expert
- Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer.com since 2006.
