A substrate having a surface layer of paint, lacquer, gel or like material is continually subjected to abrasion or scratching. Our investigations have shown that scratches made by irregular objects are not just straight lines but can be of parallel lines. Such scratches can refract light to produce interference patterns.

We have now discovered that it is possible to formulate a polish composition to obscure abrasion or such scratch marks and thereby provide a high gloss finish and other advantages.

According to the invention in one aspect there is provided a polish composition to be applied to a layer of abradable or scratchable material present on the substrate, the composition comprising - a non-volatile component to be deposited on the material and having a refractive index substantially the same as that of the material, and - a volatile carrier innocuous to the material.

The non-volatile component comprises one or more natural or synthetic waxes or oils. In one preferred aspect the non-volatile component comprises a wax having a refractive index substantially that of the layer, blended with a second wax selected so that the refractive index of the non-volatile component matches that of the layer. Typically the second wax will have a higher refractive index than the first but of course it may be lower, depending on the circumstances.

In one preferred aspect the wax comprises a camauba wax blended with a klal wax. The refractive index of the non-volatile component may be measured in any known way. Where the component is a solid this may need to be dissolved first to determine the refractive index.

The non-volatile component need not be a wax. For example it may be an oil such as a hydrocarbon oil or a siloxane such as polydimethylsiloxane. Mixtures of oils or waxes or both may be used.

Preferably the composition includes a stabiliser selected to avoid wetting the non-volatile component in use. Preferably the stabiliser is a fluorocarbon telomer, or the like ; specifically the ingredient is flurotelemer/hydrocarbon hybrid. Preferably this ingredient is present in a low proportion. The content of stabiliser is preferably about 0. 1 to about 0. 5 by weight ; more preferably the content of stabiliser is about 0. 2% by weight. The telomer acts as a stabiliser or lubricant for the other ingredients and as a surface energy modifier for the wax coating. The stabiliser may also be a low volatile solvent, such as a siloxane.

The volatile component is a low aromatic white spirit, or the like The composition may include water. The water acts as a lubricant and the cleaner, and as a modifier of the rate of evaporation. The composition may also include optional ingredients such as fillers and/or abrasives ; or the like.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of making the composition as defined, comprising mixing a wax and/or oil and the spirit and stabiliser and volatile component with heat, and then adding water, and mixing to a cream like consistency.

In yet another aspect the invention provides a method of polishing a material on a substrate, the method comprising applying a composition as defined, to the substrate.

The composition may be applied to any surface which can be or has been scratched or abraded.

The surface layer may be paint or lacquer or a gel coating. Typically the substrate will be metal, but it may be fibreglass or a composite. The substrate may be a vehicle, such as a car or boat, yacht, surfboard, a garage door, or the like.

In order that the invention may be well understood it will now be described by way of illustration only with reference to the following examples, in which parts are by weight.

Example 1 A base composition was made of : low aromatic white spirit 40. 0 prime yellow no 1 carnauba wax (refractive index 1. 472) 2. 8 Dupont fluorocarbon hybrid (telomer) 0. 207 water 56. 993 It is believed that the telomer is the subject of US patent 5310870 published on May 10,1994.

The first three ingredients are heated until they dissolve, added to a mixer and the water added and the mixer operated until a cream like consistency was achieved. The refractive index of the composition was determined. The refractive index of the scratched surface, e. g. a vehicle surface was determined. Another wax such as klal wax was then blended in, selected by its refractive index and quantity so that the polish composition had a refractive index which matched that of the car surface, say 1. 473. The composition was applied to the scratched car surface, and then mechanically buffed in. It was found that the water evaporated, leaving the non-volatile composition behind. The hybrid aided in the buffing, and remained after buffing to reduce the surface energy of the polish, substantially increasing the durability of the polish.

The applied coating was compared with a camauba based wax polish. It was found that the polish composition of the invention greatly reduced hologramming compared to the test panel.

Examination showed that the coating of the invention modified the path and direction of the incident light to maintain parallel light paths whereby to produce good reflected images. This in turn leads to high gloss readings, as less incident light is lost through specular reflectance.

Example 2 The following were mixed together in the manner of Example 1 to form a polish : low aromatic white spirits 40. 0 1° yellow no. 1 Carruba wax (base wax r. i. 1. 472) 2. 8 proprietary flurotelemer/hydrocarbon hybrid 0. 207 water 56. 993 Example 3 The following were mixed together in the manner of Example 1 to form a polish : low aromatic white spirits 92. 72 Wilkins Campbell Wax 6712 (base wax r. i. 1. 55944) 6. 62 proprietary flurotelemer/hydrocarbon hybrid 0. 66 The invention is not limited to the examples. The waxes may be blended so on to lower the refractive index of the base wax. Oils may be used and the stabiliser may be a substance other than a fluorocarbon telomer. The surface may be new or used.