SONAX PROFILINE EX "04-06" High Gloss Polish (Finish) 250ml

Hologram-Free High-Gloss Finish with SONAX EX 04-06 Polish for Dual Action Polishers

What can the SONAX EX 04-06 do? Finish polish with a cutting power of 4 and gloss level of 6 — specially developed for dual action polishers, removes minor paint defects and delivers a hologram-free high-gloss finish in one step, silicone-free and low-dust.

Dual action polishers are the preferred choice for many detailers because they are safer to handle than rotary machines — less heat generation, less risk of holograms, less danger of burning through the clear coat. The problem: Not every polish is optimized for dual action movement. Many polishes that work excellently on a rotary machine only unleash a fraction of their performance on a dual action polisher because the lower heat development slows down particle breakdown. SONAX EX 04-06 was specifically developed for this machine concept: its abrasive combination reliably breaks down even with the lower friction energy of a dual action machine and, with a cutting power of 4/5 and a gloss level of 6/5, delivers a result that is almost identical on a dual action polisher to a two-step process of compounding and finishing polish on a rotary machine. For anyone working with a dual action polisher and wanting to correct minor to medium paint defects, the EX 04-06 is the logical choice.

• Optimized for dual action movement. The formulation of EX 04-06 is tailored to the specific kinematics of dual action polishers. The abrasive particles break down at a lower temperature and less pressure than with classic rotary polishes — this means you achieve full performance on the dual action machine without having to apply excessive pressure. This behavior makes the EX 04-06 particularly beginner-friendly: even without years of polishing experience, you can achieve a professional result with moderate pressure and medium speed.
• Hologram-free high gloss. A gloss level of 6/5 — the highest rating in the SONAX system — means that the polish leaves a finish free of holograms, swirls, and polishing marks. On dark paints, where every defect is immediately visible, this point is crucial. The EX 04-06 creates a result on black or dark blue paint that looks flawless even under direct sunlight and LED inspection lights.
• Silicone-free and body shop safe. Like all SONAX PROFILINE polishes, the EX 04-06 is formulated silicone-free. This is essential in body shops that polish and paint simultaneously — silicone residues on adjacent vehicles or workshop surfaces can cause craters during refinishing. Its silicone-free nature also makes the EX 04-06 the first choice for preparation before ceramic coating, where an absolutely silicone-free surface optimizes adhesion.

Practical Tip from Detailing1: Use the EX 04-06 with a medium-hard foam pad (orange in the SONAX color system) at a speed of 4 to 5 on the dual action polisher. Apply three pea-sized dots to the pad, spread at a low speed, and then work with medium pressure in slow, overlapping passes. The key to the perfect result: slow machine guidance. Move the machine at about two to three centimeters per second over the surface — significantly slower than most beginners would intuitively do. Only then do the abrasives have enough contact time to fully remove defects and develop high gloss.

Finish Polish for Dual Action Polishers — why the EX series is formulated differently from rotary polishes

The SONAX EX 04-06 belongs to the EX series, which SONAX specifically developed for dual action polishers. The technical background: A dual action machine moves the pad in a circular path with simultaneous rotation — this dual movement generates less friction energy per unit area than the pure rotational movement of a rotary machine. Polishes developed for rotation require this higher energy to fully break down their abrasives. On a dual action machine, they only partially break down — the result is coarse residual particles that leave micro-scratches and holograms instead of creating high gloss.

The EX series solves this problem through adapted particle size and binder matrix. The abrasives are smaller and break down with less energy input — perfect for dual action movement. The disadvantage: On a rotary machine, the abrasive breaks down too quickly, and the polish loses its cutting power before the defects are fully removed. The EX 04-06 is therefore not a substitute for rotary polishes like CutMax or Cut+Finish — it is their counterpart for a different class of machine.

In practice, the difference is particularly noticeable on hard European clear coats, which are more difficult to work on with a dual action machine than soft Japanese paints. The EX 04-06 offers sufficient working time and cutting power on these paints to work consistently even after several polishing passes — a point that cheaper dual action polishes often fail to deliver because their formulation is exhausted after the first pass.

A practical aspect: Many detailers own both a dual action and a rotary machine and switch depending on the component. On large, flat surfaces such as the hood and roof, the rotary machine is more efficient; on edges, body lines, and curved areas, the dual action machine offers more safety. In this mixed workflow, the EX 04-06 is the finishing product for all dual action sections — while a polish like Cut+Finish or PerfectFinish is used for rotary sections. Those who want to work consistently with a single machine and prefer the dual action machine will find a complete system in the EX series that requires no compromise on performance.

Applying Dual Action Polish Correctly — Speed, Pressure, and Machine Guidance

The application of EX 04-06 on a dual action polisher follows a clear pattern: medium-hard to soft polishing pad, medium speed (level 4 to 5 on most machines), moderate pressure, and slow machine guidance. This combination is the key to a hologram-free result.

Apply three pea-sized dots of polish to the pad and spread them at the lowest speed on the component. Then increase to working speed and polish in slow, overlapping passes over the entire section. Slow here means: two to three centimeters per second. Most beginners move the machine too quickly — the pad glides over the surface without enough time to remove the defects. Slower guidance increases the contact time per unit area and fully utilizes the abrasive.

Pressure should be moderate — just enough for the pad to lie evenly on the surface. Unlike with a rotary machine, where more pressure means more cut, a dual action machine reacts counterproductively to excessive pressure: the dual action movement is slowed down, the pad rotates slower, and cutting power decreases instead of increasing. If you notice the machine bogging down under pressure, you're applying too much — reduce the pressure and let the machine do the work.

A common mistake: too much polish on the pad. Three pea-sized dots are enough for a section of about fifty by fifty centimeters — more product dilutes the abrasive effect and lengthens processing time without improving the result. If the polish is still milky-thick on the surface after polishing, you either applied too much or your machine guidance was too fast. Reduce the amount on the next section and move the machine slower — the result will improve immediately.

Regarding temperature: The dual action machine generates less heat than a rotary machine, but on dark paints in summer sun, the surface temperature can still be problematic. Work in a shaded environment or garage and occasionally check the temperature with the back of your hand. Ideal ambient temperatures are between fifteen and twenty-five degrees Celsius with moderate humidity to ensure optimal processing conditions.

After polishing, wipe off residues with a clean, soft microfiber towel and check the result under an LED inspection light. On dark paints, an additional check under direct sunlight is recommended — some holograms and swirls only become visible under natural light because the LED lamp has a different angle of incidence. If you are satisfied with the result, degrease with SONAX PROFILINE Prepare — only then will you see the actual result without polishing oils.

Correcting Minor to Medium Paint Defects — Ideal Use Cases

The SONAX EX 04-06 is not designed for heavy defect correction — for that, there's the EX 05-05 with a cutting power of 5/5. The strength of the EX 04-06 lies in a different area: correcting minor to medium defects in one step while creating the best possible finish.

The most common use case is one-step polishing on new or near-new paint. Vehicles one to three years old typically show wash scratches, light swirls, and a general dullness of the clear coat. The EX 04-06 removes these superficial defects in one pass and leaves a high gloss that exceeds new car levels. For detailers who regularly prepare lease returns or young used cars, this is the typical application.

Another scenario: finish after initial compounding. If the paint was first treated with a compound (such as EX 05-05 or CutMax), the EX 04-06 removes remaining micro-scratches and holograms in the second step and brings the paint to a high gloss. This two-step process — compound plus finishing polish — is the gold standard in professional paint detailing and delivers the best results on demanding dark paints.

The EX 04-06 is also ideal for preparation before a sealant or coating. Before a ceramic coating or paint protection film is applied, the paint must be in the best possible condition — any defect enclosed under the coating will remain visible for its entire lifespan. The EX 04-06 delivers precisely the surface a coating needs: defect-free, hologram-free, and free of silicone residues.

A scenario often underestimated: the preparation of vehicles with partial film wraps. If a vehicle has both painted and filmed sections, the polish must not get on the film — polishing residue can settle into the film texture and be difficult to remove there. The controlled working method of the dual action machine in combination with the EX 04-06 minimizes the risk of splatter and allows precise work right up to the film edge. For these situations, the dual action machine is clearly superior to the rotary machine because it throws less product.

Dual Action Polish Comparison — EX 04-06 vs. EX 05-05 vs. NP 03-06

In the SONAX PROFILINE range, there are three finishing polishes to choose from, differing in cutting power and gloss:

The EX 05-05 is the more aggressive sister: cutting power 5/5, gloss level 5/5. It is used when defects are too deep for the EX 04-06 — for example, sanding marks from P1500, heavier weathering, or scratches beyond typical wash scratches. The gloss level of 5/5 is good, but not on par with the EX 04-06 — for the highest demands on the finish, a pass with the EX 04-06 follows the EX 05-05.

The NP 03-06 is the gentlest option: cutting power 3/5, gloss level 6/5. It is intended for paints that have few defects and only need the final gloss refinement — for example, after thorough pre-polishing or on new cars that only need minimal freshening. Its lower abrasion also makes it the safest choice on extremely thin clear coats or historic paints, where any material removal should be minimized.

The EX 04-06 is the all-rounder between these extremes: sufficient cutting power for typical everyday defects, maximum gloss for a professional finish. For the majority of one-step polishes on a dual action machine, it is the best choice — versatile enough for daily work, powerful enough for demanding dark paints.

Buying EX 04-06 — Container Sizes and Workflow Recommendation

The SONAX EX 04-06 is available in 250 ml and 1000 ml sizes. The 250 ml bottle is sufficient for several complete vehicle polishes — product consumption on a dual action machine is moderate because the polish works efficiently and requires few reloads. The 1000 ml bottle is the standard size for businesses and ambitious private users who polish regularly. In the value pack set, you also save compared to individual purchase — especially for detailers who use the EX 04-06 as their standard finishing polish, the stock pack quickly pays for itself.

For the optimal workflow on a dual action machine, we recommend: For minor defects, the EX 04-06 as a one-step solution on a medium-hard pad. For medium defects, first the EX 05-05 on a hard pad, then the EX 04-06 on a soft pad for the finish. Afterwards, degrease with SONAX Prepare and, if necessary, seal with PolymerNetShield or a ceramic coating of your choice.

A note on storage: The EX 04-06 tends to separate slightly after prolonged storage. Shake the bottle thoroughly before each use until the consistency is uniformly creamy. Store the product frost-free and sealed — frozen polish loses its abrasive structure and can no longer be used uniformly and should be discarded.

For beginners who have to choose between the EX 04-06 and a rotary polish, the recommendation is clear: Anyone with no experience with polishing machines should start with a dual action machine and the EX 04-06. This combination is significantly more forgiving than a rotary machine with an aggressive compound. You can learn the technique at your leisure, without fear of burning through or holograms. The result may not quite match that of an experienced polisher on a rotary machine — but it will be solid, safe, and more than sufficient for most demands.