A three-phase liquid polishing and cleaning composition of the invention
is suitable for polishing and cleaning a painted exterior surface, and
includes an organic phase, an aqueous phase, and a particulate phase. The
organic phase comprises a petroleum-based liquid and the aqueous phase
comprises water. The particulate phase comprises at least one particulate
polishing grade abrasive having a mean particle size of not more than
about 2.5 microns, which is selected from the group consisting of an
abrasive that is harder than the painted surface to be polished and
cleaned, and an abrasive that is softer than the painted surface to be
polished and cleaned. The composition comprises at least one surfactant
(e.g., an anionic surfactant, an emulsifying agent, and a foaming agent)
to emulsify the organic and aqueous phases upon mixing (e.g., shaking)
the composition, and to suspend the particulate phase in the emulsified
organic and aqueous phases.