A friend and I are having a disagreement. Which SHOULD go on first (polish or wax)?
Should polish or wax go on first
- Thread starter CJH
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I agree with kenw.
I have 30 years of experience in the Auto Detailing Business(self employed). I have learned from all of my mistakes as well as others mistakes.
I have 30 years of experience in the Auto Detailing Business(self employed). I have learned from all of my mistakes as well as others mistakes.
Look at what the two products do:
A polish is intended to remove paint defects, clean the surface, remove oxidation, bring out the shine, and prep it for sealing. Without this preparation a wax is just covering a less than perfect finish. Polish has no protective qualities.
A wax, or polymer sealant, is there to add some gloss or depth to the shine, and protect the finish from environmental factors. It is a sacrificial barrier, meaning it will wear away and sacrifice itself to protect the paint. Wax is what protects the clean, swirl free finish you achieved with the polish.
Polish, then wax, then admire.
A polish is intended to remove paint defects, clean the surface, remove oxidation, bring out the shine, and prep it for sealing. Without this preparation a wax is just covering a less than perfect finish. Polish has no protective qualities.
A wax, or polymer sealant, is there to add some gloss or depth to the shine, and protect the finish from environmental factors. It is a sacrificial barrier, meaning it will wear away and sacrifice itself to protect the paint. Wax is what protects the clean, swirl free finish you achieved with the polish.
Polish, then wax, then admire.
The terms get misused. Just follow the directions that came with you particular polish and wax.
Does Zaino use the word wax?
Yeah, the industry has really buggered up the terminology to the point where the words are almost meaningless.
Think of the product as what they do, not what they're called. Mike's description is dead on correct. Knowing a little bit about the products will help determine what you do with them and when you use them.
Companies like Zaino use the term "polish" because they are not a wax (there is no wax in any Zaino product). If they described the product to match exactly what it was, it would be like an 8 word description. So they just call it a "polish" because consumers have an idea of what that is.
Think of the product as what they do, not what they're called. Mike's description is dead on correct. Knowing a little bit about the products will help determine what you do with them and when you use them.
Companies like Zaino use the term "polish" because they are not a wax (there is no wax in any Zaino product). If they described the product to match exactly what it was, it would be like an 8 word description. So they just call it a "polish" because consumers have an idea of what that is.
Bingo. Traditional polish and wax fit with what mike and ken said. Other than that, you just have to look at what it is intended to do. Cover and protect (like a wax), or clean and prep (like a polish). Knowing that, it is pretty obvious which must happen first.
A good layer of wax is better protection than nothing, helps against small abrasive particles and maybe the odd spill. Easier to take tar or paint off a waxed car, for example. Can also protect against fading by some elements of nature.
I use Nu Finish which claims to be a polish. I find it difficult to completely remove Nu Finish as it doesn't dry completely like wax and seems to smear sometimes. It also does not shine like a good wax. After Nu Finish, I apply a coat of McGuier's Gold which really makes a reflective shine...and the combination seems to last a long time.
I am guessing Nu Finish is not a polish in the same sense of the word used above.
Thanks to everyone for the informative comments.
I am guessing Nu Finish is not a polish in the same sense of the word used above.
Thanks to everyone for the informative comments.
Nu Finish has very mild abrasives in their product that help to remove lite oxidation. Also, Nu Finish contains no wax. One must read between the lines.
Also, Nu Finish is a balanced product, as most OTC products are. It may not do any (one) thing supurbly, but it does every single thing quite well for the average customer who wants a 1 product does-it-all. Nu Finish: Polishes, Cleans, Protects, Shines, Applie/Removes easily, Doesn't stain flat black painted surfaces if removed in a reasonable amount of time,(what ever that is), Does dry to a haze in a reasonable amount of time if used at the proper outside temp as stated on the label, and Last a Long Time,(what ever that is). It may not do one thing great, but it does everything very well. It's a highly rated product because of these things. Kind of like a good car; not supurb in one area, but very good in all areas.
If that's its purpose, then why not use a clay bar instead?
Michael
I'd have to agree. For the first 9 years of this car's life, it was waxed once or twice a year with Meguiar's Gold Class Wax. Other than that, the car was NEVER washed due to time. This past year, I've waxed at least 2 times, and this is a picture of the car right after a wash, and a quick wax with Meguiar's Gold Class:
The car is a 1996 Saturn SL2 and was purchased in Nov. 1995.
Mike
Got it! Thanks.
Mike
Mike
A clay bar remove embedded contaminents on the paint surface, like tree sap, paint overspray, tar specs, etc. Clay does not affect oxidized paint, swirl marks, or any paint defect that is below the paint surface.quote:
Originally posted by Michael Wan:
If that's its purpose, then why not use a clay bar instead?
Michael
A polish chemically or mechanically removes or reduces oxidation, swirl marks, scuffs, light scratches, etc.
Two different products for different purposes.
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