Show Special Lime Prime 100ml - fine cut polish and pre-wax cleanser - glovebox/sample size

If you dipped a toe into Lime Prime, it would probably go a shade of green.

Far better, then, to try a sample. This 100ml bottle contains enough Lime Prime to polish a car or two, and you may even have a little left over to give your mower a treat.

Not sure what Lime Prime is, or what it does? Have no fear, intrepid shopper. Allow us to explain...

Before you use a wax or sealant, you may like to prepare (or 'prime') the paint… pre-wax cleansers and polishes remove dirt and watermarks left over from the wash stage, remove oxidisation and light swirl marks (especially if a machine polisher is used) and also enhance the finish through the action of glaze oils.

Lime Prime is one such product, and arguably 'best of breed' after having won Detailing World Polish Product of the Year back when it was launched in 2010. Supremely workable, it can be hand or machine applied with a little going a long way. It uses fine cut diminishing abrasives to gently hone the paint surface without troubling tough, modern clearcoats. And it smells limey, if you like limes.

Finally, if you want to maximise the finish or your wax or sealant, a layer of Lime Prime is perfect. But to maximise the longevity of your wax or sealant, use a panelwipe or solvent to clean the paint first because this improves adhesion (Clearly Menthol or Clearly Menthol refill can be effective here). You'll also need to do this if applying a nano-ceramic sealant (like Supernatural Infinity) as this needs to bond to bare paintwork.

Note that for hand application to soft Japanese clearcoats or classic cellulose paint finishes, we recommend using Basics Prep Polish or Supernatural Micro Prime instead. These are ultra-fine in abrasive terms, whereas Lime Prime has a slightly larger particle size and therefore cuts with a little more determination.

*Detailing World Polish Product of the Year 2010*