There seems to be a lot of confusion out there about the difference between a car polish and a car wax. Is there a difference? Or is this just two terms for the same process?

Actually there’s is a huge difference. Even so, “polish" and "wax" have become interchangeable terms nowadays. In fact, many people think of car "polish" the same way they think of furniture polish. Something that's applied and leaves a shiny surface. But that’s not right when it comes to cars.

Polishing is kinda like buffing a nail. The abrasives on the buffer removes dead cells and ridges off your nail and leaves it clean, smooth and yes, shiny. The nail polish, though it’s called a polish, really works more like a wax. It’s imparts it’s properties onto your nail thus enhancing the shine, and protecting it as well.

So a true car polish works by abrasion. Because of its abrasive properties, polish is very good at removing scratches and swirl marks too. It also conditions the paint, eliminates light oxidation, and creates a high gloss not possible with car wax alone. But because it’s an abrasive, it's important not to overuse a polish. A once a year, once over plus some here and there spot treatments for minor scratches or swirl marks may be all you really need. A pure polish leaves nothing behind on the surface. So a pure polish needs to be followed by a good coat of wax for added shine and protection.

Wax, on the other hand, brings out the depth of shine as well as protects your paint's finish from oxidation and harmful road debris.

I prefer a Carnauba wax because it's nature's hardest, purest and most transparent wax which I feel is the best wax for surface care. Carnauba tends to produce a deeper, darker, richer shine than any other wax and won't build up like synthetic, polymer type of waxes which, over time, can leave your ride looking dull even milky and that's just not good!

So a polish helps to "perfect" or take out minor imperfections in your paint where as wax helps enhance the paint you've got. So it's good to know the difference. ‘Cause if you're trying to remove swirl marks with a polish that's really just a wax, good-luck!

 

Nicely done, Waxgirl!
Maybe this should be the beginnings of a wax/polish/detail sticky?

Scott

 

I was hoping I would learn something today.

 

Thanks guys! I'm glad you found this helpful.

I also get a lot of questions about clay bars. What are they for and how to use them. Would this be a topic anyone would be interested in?

 

It's all over the place in various threads - but maybe we can turn this one into a sticky once you've penned all of your info?

Scott

 

i have an 06 BSP xB and my brother used my car and in good notion washed it. well he washed it @ one of those DIY places and the brush put scratches all throughout my car. sould I polish it to remove them and then wax? what is a good polish and would you use a buffer or by hand. thanks

 

Eegads...
Yes, you'll likely need to polish and wax.
There's as many opinions on what's good as people, but you can't go wrong with Maguire's or other top brands.
Stay away from the cheapo stuff like Turtle wax...

Scott

 

Polish Stuf and Shine Stuf are what you need.

www.stufproducts.com