Bilt Hamber auto-balm is a very impressive product, but it's tricky to describe and categorise. This is because it serves a number of useful functions in addition to the main one that it excels at, which is corrosion prevention on painted and bare metal finishes. Bilt Hamber auto-balm takes the form of a synthetic paste, which is applied and buffed off in the usual way (albeit using a damp applicator pad). However, it also cleans very well (probably due to the solvent carrier it uses), and it also masks minor paint defects (e.g. wash marring and fine swirl marks) incredibly well (indicting that it contains fillers, or that the protective component has a much stronger filling action than normal sealants and waxes). As a result, it actually outperforms some of the all in one products we recommend, in terms of how well it prepares and seals less than perfect paint finishes in a single step. However, to label it as an all in one product would be a mistake, as its standout quality is the level of protection it offers, so for this reason we've settled on classing it as a last step product, albeit with added benefits. How to summarise all of this? Well, the finish it produces typically lasts for upwards of three months, but this can be extended if it is maintained with Bilt Hamber auto-QD. The look it imparts is somewhere between a good sealant and a good wax; clear and sharp, but glossy too. And the level of protection it offers? Simply unparalleled in terms of preventing the onset of corrosion.