I like to think that I’m serious about my car detailing and can usually have a sixth sense when it comes to rubbish products, of which the market is crowded.

When the UK importers of Nu Finish – The Once A Year Car Polish asked me if I’d like to try the product out, I must confess to fearing the Doc Holliday was in town. However, I’ll always give a car care product the benefit of the doubt until I’ve tried it.

As it happens, Nu Finish turned up at the right time. I hate seeing my cars dirty and after almost constant rain in late September my Smart ForFour was in a sorry looking state. So, I put it to the test.

The makers, Reed-Union Corporation was founded in 1929 and they claim that theirs is the only car polish in the world that doesn’t contain wax, instead it uses amino-functional groups, which I guess means it contains silicone and acts more like a sealant.

It is certainly easy to apply and remove and the Smart Car is always a tough test for polishes and waxes as it features steel and ABS plastic panels on the body, with areas of black and others of yellow. It can be a real pain to make it look really shiny. It’s caught out plenty of so-called world-beating waxes and compounds.

The once a year claim is a big one. It doesn’t resist dirt and crud but refers to the fact that every time you wash your car it is supposed to restore its ‘just applied’ look. Reed-Union reckons that it lasts for up to 52 car washes before re-application is necessary. I’m not sure about that but I have to say it brought the Smart up really well.

The makers say re-apply after 30-days and that completes the application process.

It is a complete miracle? No, to be honest, but it’s definitely no Doc Holliday snake oil either. I’ll definitely keep it on my shelf and will happily use it again, without question. I think if you have a car as I did, that needs a quick restorative polish then this is the idea.

Surprise, surprise, it rained the day after I applied it and I have to say that its hydro-phobic or ‘beading’ properties are really impressive.

A 500ml bottle costs just £10.99 and is available via www.homgar.com ENDS.