is a paint cleaner and a polish one in the same?

[ridgeway2030]

Is a paint cleaner and a polish really just one in the same? I ask because I use deep crystal painter cleaner, as well as deep crystal pure polish, and mirror glaze pure polish in my details.

[Murr1525]

It gets a bit tricky, as there is no set definition on what words mean, and then the marketing guys get involved,and make it harder...

In strict Meguiars terms:
Cleaner - removes dirt from paint, and if strong enough, can remove swirls.
Polish - Adds polishing oils to the paint.

So:
DC Cleaner (discontinued anyway) - Cleaner
Ult. Polish - Cleaner / Polish
SwirlX - Cleaner/Polish
DC Polish - Polish
#7 - Polish

So using a cleaner before a polish is the right way to go, or using a cleaner/polish product to do both (a pure polish could be added after if wanted). There would be no need to use two polish products after each other.