Sign in
Sign in to your account using Membership ID or email and password.
Don't have an account? Sign up
Not all of us has the time or can be bothered to give our cars’ paintwork the care and attention that’s needed to maintain a ‘showroom’ shine. It isn’t just about making your car look good either. Studies have shown that dull or dirty paintwork really has a detrimental effect on your car’s aerodynamics which in turn, leads to an increase in fuel consumption.
The car polishing market is full of products claiming to be more effective and longer lasting than their competitors. Separating the best from the bogus can be daunting but keeping a few facts in mind should help.
Firstly, it is important to know the difference between a polish, wax and coating.
A polish is usually used in tandem with a wax and is the first step towards restoring your car’s paint lustre. It has microscopically abrasive properties that remove a few microns (1 micron = 0.001mm) off the paint’s surface. The process is not unlike undergoing an exfoliation or body scrub. It will do wonders if done occasionally but excessive applications will leads to disastrous results. As paint does not regenerate like skin, polishing to often or too much can remove the paint.
However, a proper polish reveals a new layer of paint which will of course look much better as it has been protected by the old layers of paint.
Next you’ll want to protect this layer from oxidation and the elements with a wax or clear coat. A hard-wearing substance is desirable if you want a long-lasting shine.
As with everything else in life, the general rule of thumb is, there are no short-cuts and you get what you pay for.
Patience, skill and experience is just as important for getting the best results as the choosing right product so you might want to consider taking your car to a reputable professional.
Aggie Krasnolucka
Programmes Director
Federation Internationale de l'Automobile Foundation
Bio:
Aggie Krasnolucka is Programmes Director at the FIA Foundation where she looks after its portfolio of road safety interventions as well as leads the Motorcycle Initiative – a global hub of interventions working towards improving motorcycle safety across areas of helmet safety, infrastructure, technology, and legislation.
Previously, she worked across different areas of the international development context including community outreach and engagement, road safety, access to health, private public partnerships as well as fundraising and communications. Aggie holds a master’s degree in social anthropology as well as linguistics and literature.
Professor Wong is currently a Full Professor at the Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, University Putra Malaysia. He has been serving the department and the University since 1997. During his service, Professor Wong was seconded to Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), a Statutory Body in Malaysia (with MIROS Act 2012) and a national research institute in Malaysia in December 2007 as the Director of Vehicle Safety and Biomechanics Research Centre. He was then appointed as the Director-General of MIROS in August 2011. His 10-year secondment to MIROS ended in September 2017 and was appointed to be the MIROS Board Director. In February 2022, Professor Wong is appointed as the Chairman of MIROS Board of Directors. Professor Wong is also appointed as an Adjunct Professor of Qatar University. He served as the Special Advisor on Road Safety to the Minister of Transport and Communications Myanmar till 2021. He was appointed to serve in the Steering Committee of the United Nations Road Safety Fund from 2022 to 2024. Recently Professor Wong was appointed as the Fellow of the Academy of Science Malaysia.
Professor Wong has driven the drafting, deliberation and enactment of MIROS Act 2012 by the Parliament of Malaysia. He is also directly and indirectly involved in establishing numerous national and international initiatives and interventions in Road Safety, amongst them are rear seatbelt law, national implementation framework of UN WP29 Regulations, enforcing various UN Regulations on Road Vehicles, airbag fitment, ASEAN New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) for Malaysia, Guideline for Road Safety Audit, Code of Practices for Transport Sector under OSHA Malaysia, ISO39001 road traffic safety management systems and the competence requirements for auditing and certification in ISO17021-7, Pilot implementation of ISO39001 in Malaysia, use of electric cars, motorcycles and bicycles, in-depth crash and accident database, Automated Enforcement System, Mandatory of Electronic Stability Control System, Revision of Drive Under Influence, Malaysian Accident Emergency Call Systems Initiative, Endorsement of 2015 ASEAN Declaration on Road Safety Strategy by ASEAN Transport Ministers, road safety recommendations to the Government of Myanmar with in-Country Expert Mission to Myanmar, and many others.
Mr. Michihiro Toki is a seasoned mobility and road safety expert with over 25 years at the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF). He currently serves as Manager of the Project Development Division in JAF’s Traffic Environment Department, leading national road safety campaigns and sustainable mobility initiatives.
Mr. Toki began his career in 1998 as a roadside assistance patrol officer, gaining hands-on experience with the diverse challenges faced by drivers in Japan. He transitioned to membership promotion in 2006, working with automotive dealers to expand JAF’s member base.
In 2018, he assumed a leadership role at the branch level, overseeing road safety, motorsports, and public relations. As a JAF Certified Safety Advisor, he delivered safety lectures, managed motorsport activities, and led public outreach. Promoted in 2021 to Section Manager, he expanded his role to include Safety Advisor training, PR strategy, and membership benefit development.
Appointed to his current position in 2024, Mr. Toki now directs the training of Safety Advisors nationwide and develops interactive programs for diverse audiences, including international drivers. He collaborates with government and industry partners to tackle traffic safety issues.
Beyond JAF, Mr. Toki serves on national bodies including the Sub Study Group for Advanced Safety Vehicles (MLIT), the Cabinet Office’s Traffic Safety Forum, and as Vice-Chairman of the Training Commission at the Japan Automobile Education Foundation.
Mr. Toki is recognised for his dedication to public safety, his strategic leadership in mobility initiatives, and his deep commitment to enhancing the driving culture in Japan.