What is the difference between a wax and a polish?

Category: Exterior
Tags: car

Added Jan 11, 08 by mrwax

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WAX - is a protective coating that is applied to the exterior surface of an automobile to keep it from forming "Oxidation". Wax does not protect against bird droppings, acid rain, tree sap, or balls bouncing off the hood.The ONLY reason wax is applied to the exterior surface of an automobile is to protect the paint or clearcoat from forming oxidation. Period.

POLISH - is a cleaning "compound" that helps to remove impurities from the paint to prepare it for waxing/sealing. They are both very different and should not be confused. Although, the retail industry has mixed them up greatly in their advertising as having a wax that polishes too. Remembering what I explained earlier helps you to realize that you can't have both at the same time as they both do two seperate jobs.

Nearly all products in the market, whether called "wax" or "polish", contain polishing agents. Polishing agents remove paint and create swirl marks on the painted surface. Fine polishing agents create fine swirl marks and remove less paint. The swirl marks become very visible after the wax wears off. Mazzarella's Hot Body Wax® offers long-lasting protection without damaging or removing the clear-coat finish. I found this product at HotBodyWax.com

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Recent Comments (2 total):

yellowvette - Feb 27, 2008 11:58 pm

mrwax is 100% correct,but its a good idea to keep both a good wax and a good polish on hand at all times for the unexpected. My car has been sitting out in the open,no trees,wires or anything and birds or a certain bird bombs it quiet often. I used a product one time, bought at Pep Boys that was great, tar from roads,bird droppings,and everything else just washed off easily,but they no longer carry it. Corvette Central offers RejeX, item #101884 for 19.95,its very good also,ph # 1-800-345-4122 if interested. Thanks

coolrunning - Jan 12, 2008 6:53 am

I agree entirely with your descriptions of the differences between a polish and a wax. I have always enjoyed detailing the cars I have owned and found that one of the best product lines out there is Meguiar's. I have maintained new car finishes so well that when they are up to 10 years old, they still look new. The secret is to apply and maintain a protective layer of wax between the clear coat and anything abrasive or corrosive. On several occasions, someone opened the door of the car they were driving and scuffed my door, leaving the collor of their car on mine. Since I had such a good coat of wax on the surface, I was able to polish the scuff off and then wax it again. No body work or paint required! I have also restored some neglected paint jobs for friends and family by using Meguiar's products like Body Scrub, Polish and Carnuba Wax. In some cases, I have used a Clay Bar to remove rough spots and smooth the clear coat surface. Once the finish is smooth, I polish it with Meguiar's NXT (non-abrasive). Giving it two coats makes it look like freshly cleaned glass. I only use an orbital polisher with a thick wool pad to give it a final buffing. Orbital buffers leave no swirl marks. Rotary buffers are not allowed on my cars because they produce too much friction and can permanently damage or even remove the clear coat. They are "old school" tools that are real good at removing paint from body lines and edges in the hands of even experienced users. It is just not worth the risk. I guess everyone has a product preference, and mine is Meguiar's. Also, I might add that you can wax a car as much as you want and not hurt the finish. However, you should not polish a paint job unless it needs it. In my case, that means stripping the wax off, because it looks dull or cloudy or to remove something stuck to the paint like tree sap, paint overspray, bug guts, etc. The key is to keep that protective layer of wax on the paint at all times. It makes it so much easier to wash and keep the car looking showroom new. I love the look of a shiny car!