Polish

Name:
Polish
Detailed information:
(1) A solid powder or a liquid or semiliquid mixture that imparts smoothness, surface protection, or a decorative finish. The most widely used solid polishing agent is fine-ground red iron oxide (rouge), applied to the surface of plate glass, backs of mirrors, and optical glass. A wide variety of liquid and pastelike polishes are based on vegetable waxes (carnauba and candelilla), combined with softeners, fillers, and pigments or emulsified in alcohol or other solvent. Furniture polishes often contain red oil, lemon oil, and petroleum solvent; most types of metal and wood polish contain organic solvents and, hence, are flammable liquids. Nail polishes are nitrocellulose lacquers, usually with amyl acetate solvent.See Electropolishing.

Hazard:

May be flammable.(2) The hard outer coating of cereal grains, especially rice, which is usually removed in processing. These coatings are rich in vitamin B1. Their removal robs the cereal of much of its nutritive value.