Difference between polish/wax/seal
#1
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Difference between polish/wax/seal
Pardon my ignorance but this is something I haven't always been too clear on. From my understanding, polishing is using your hand or an orbital/rotary buffer to smooth out surface imperfections? Waxing is to fortify the clearcoat/add a protective layer to the finish of your car? And seal... wild guess here, is to protect the wax job itself and prolong the finish? Someone tell me if I'm completely off track here...
Also, can "buffing" be used interchangeably with "polishing" or would it be used interchangeable with one of the other terms? And did I put it in the correct order - polish, then wax, then seal?
Would like to get into claybar and using an orbital buffer but I want to make sure I have everything down pat here...
Also, can "buffing" be used interchangeably with "polishing" or would it be used interchangeable with one of the other terms? And did I put it in the correct order - polish, then wax, then seal?
Would like to get into claybar and using an orbital buffer but I want to make sure I have everything down pat here...
#2
Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
Pardon my ignorance but this is something I haven't always been too clear on. From my understanding, polishing is using your hand or an orbital/rotary buffer to smooth out surface imperfections? Waxing is to fortify the clearcoat/add a protective layer to the finish of your car? And seal... wild guess here, is to protect the wax job itself and prolong the finish? Someone tell me if I'm completely off track here...
Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
Also, can "buffing" be used interchangeably with "polishing" or would it be used interchangeable with one of the other terms? And did I put it in the correct order - polish, then wax, then seal?
![2 Cents](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/2cents.gif)
Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
Would like to get into claybar and using an orbital buffer but I want to make sure I have everything down pat here...
Last edited by Hawhyen51; 04-29-2007 at 09:11 AM.
#3
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Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
Waxing is to fortify the clearcoat/add a protective layer to the finish of your car? And seal... wild guess here, is to protect the wax job itself and prolong the finish? Someone tell me if I'm completely off track here...
Yeah, waxes can seal, but you cant top a wax with a polymer sealant.
#4
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Wash (car wash concentrate)
Clean (detailer’s clay)
Polish (to remove surface imperfections)
Surface protection (Wax or polymer sealant)
Last Step Product (LSP) Wax on a polymer-Polymer on a polymer sealant)
A random orbital buffer (to polish minor surface scratches or to remove/ buff a polymer or wax)
There are many variations but this is a basic guide
Clean (detailer’s clay)
Polish (to remove surface imperfections)
Surface protection (Wax or polymer sealant)
Last Step Product (LSP) Wax on a polymer-Polymer on a polymer sealant)
A random orbital buffer (to polish minor surface scratches or to remove/ buff a polymer or wax)
There are many variations but this is a basic guide
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Originally Posted by I Go To Costco
Pardon my ignorance but this is something I haven't always been too clear on. From my understanding, polishing is using your hand or an orbital/rotary buffer to smooth out surface imperfections? Waxing is to fortify the clearcoat/add a protective layer to the finish of your car? And seal... wild guess here, is to protect the wax job itself and prolong the finish? Someone tell me if I'm completely off track here...
Also, can "buffing" be used interchangeably with "polishing" or would it be used interchangeable with one of the other terms? And did I put it in the correct order - polish, then wax, then seal?
Would like to get into claybar and using an orbital buffer but I want to make sure I have everything down pat here...
Also, can "buffing" be used interchangeably with "polishing" or would it be used interchangeable with one of the other terms? And did I put it in the correct order - polish, then wax, then seal?
Would like to get into claybar and using an orbital buffer but I want to make sure I have everything down pat here...
Waxes:
Natural (Carnauba based)
Synthetic (Sealants, Glazes)
Polish:
Abrasive, Non- Abrasive
Compounds:
Different levels of abrasion to remove different levels of damage.
If you have a modern car (likely after 1990), you are pretty much providing protection and care mostly to the Clearcoat. The color of the car now is only the basecoat.
You can still stick to the old school method of a simple one product solution. Carnauba based waxes are called Cleaner Waxes and Synthetic waxes are categorized as "All-In Ones" (ex Klasse). If you can't be bothered by using machines, pads, swirl removers, etc.. this is the simplest way if keeping the clearcoat shiny.
Also, if you are going to the modern route of Cleaning, Polishing, Waxing, remember that you cannot wax first then polish. The newer Synthetic "waxes" won't adhere properly to a waxed surface. A cleaned (clayed) finish, the polished (swirls removed by polish) prepares the surface to be sealed with a synthetic sealant. A pure Carnauba (non-Cleaner Wax) can then be applied to a properly bonded sealant to add even more gloss.
If you are thinking of getting an over the counter orbital buffer, you might as well do it by hand. The results would be much of the same. The reason why I say this I have 2 of those which is just sitting somewhere gathering dust. IMO a waste of money.
A DA polisher (Porter Cable) is what you need and it will dramatically change the way you take care of your car(s). Going this route requires that you educate yourself about pad and polish combinations but most info you need are available online.
This forum is one of the best for learning and sharing knowledge about detailing and the resident pros are excelent for their advice.
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