Why polish AND wax?

[pt109]

Hello to all,
I'm new here and need some clarification.
I washed my 2008 Mazda3 (Sunlight Silver) with Gold Class car wash, and then used NXT techwax. I'm thrilled with the results.

Would I get a much better result if I'd used polish before waxing?

If so, what would you suggest?
Thanks,
Paul

[Nappers]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

Polish is an option, but not required.....

I have M07 and Deep Crystal Polish.

On our Neon, the polish doesn't make a difference, on our Yukon, I can tell a difference and use it occasionally. On my boys' '67 Dodge Pickup, M07 is definately part of my process.

Can't hurt, can't hurt to skip.

NXT 2.0 is a great wax.

Have you clayed the car? If your paint isn't glass smooth, it may be time to do it

[Zuke]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

I would try claying your car after washing, then polish, then wax. Claying the car will make a HUGE difference IMO.

[Murr1525]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

Personally, I would clay and at least use a cleaner/wax before the Nxt 2.0.

[akimel]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

Have you read this article yet: Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

[BarryK]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

to try to best answer your question you first need to understand what a polish and what a wax (or sealant) do and what their use is.

A polish is a product that is actually a paint correction tool and will remove swirls, light scratches, etc. While you are making corrections to the paint with the polish it can make a big difference how nice your paint looks in terms of smoothness, shine, glossyness, etc.
Polishes come in different grades of "cut" power depending on how much paint correction you need.
A polish though leaves NO protection on the paint surface when you are done. Any wax you had on there previously is now going to be gone and you have no layer of protection on your paint.

A wax (or sealant) has no paint correction abilities - it's purpose is solely to put a layer of protection on your paint.

If your paint is in great condition than all you may need is an application of wax or sealant. If your paint is not in great shape than you very well may need to do a polishing step first (actually, clay than polish) before waxing.

Before you ask or someone else chimes in... there are products, such as D151 Paint Reconditioning Cream, #6 Cleaner wax, etc., which are dual purpose '"one-step" products that combine a polishing or cleaning ability in the product along with a wax so that you get both steps in one.

[Murr1525]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

A polish is a product that is actually a paint correction tool and will remove swirls, light scratches, etc. While you are making corrections to the paint with the polish it can make a big difference how nice your paint looks in terms of smoothness, shine, glossyness, etc.
Polishes come in different grades of "cut" power depending on how much paint correction you need.
A polish though leaves NO protection on the paint surface when you are done. Any wax you had on there previously is now going to be gone and you have no layer of protection on your paint.

Just to make it work in Meguiars terminology, a cleaner/compound is a product that removes dirt and swirls, and comes in different strengths.

A polish is a product that leaves polishing oils behind to nourish the paint, and fill in imperfections.

Some products are also cleaner/polishes, like SwirlX, that combine both steps.

[BarryK]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

Just to make it work in Meguiars terminology, a cleaner/compound is a product that removes dirt and swirls, and comes in different strengths.

A polish is a product that leaves polishing oils behind to nourish the paint, and fill in imperfections.

Some products are also cleaner/polishes, like SwirlX, that combine both steps.

sorry, I guess I haven't been here long enough to know all the Meguiars terminology. If my word usages are "incorrect" or go against how Meguairs classifies products than I apologize and ignore my post.
The way I've always had products explained to me and understood them is how I explained it.
In fact, many times in MY experience a compound could be called a polish, just a very heavy duty one. The only real differences between polishes and compounds was the cutting power.

If Meguairs only calls a product a "Polish" if it has oils in it than that's new to me although I do like and can appreciate the difference and seperation from other products without the extra oils in them.

Than again, but now I'm confused.... lets take M07. that has oils in it correct? and yet that is called a Glaze, not a polish although it makes sense because there is no cutting power in it but still, it adds to confusion.
And the new M205. That's a polish. Does M205 have oils in it to nourish the paint? I really don't know either way on that product.

Darn, I prefer my way of differentiating between products but I guess I'll have to learn the "Meguiars way" for posting on here.

[pt109]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

Thanks to all for your help, this is awesome information.

I will investigate/learn more about the clay treatment.

Paul
-Learning is fun!

[Murr1525]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

sorry, I guess I haven't been here long enough to know all the Meguiars terminology. If my word usages are "incorrect" or go against how Meguairs classifies products than I apologize and ignore my post.
The way I've always had products explained to me and understood them is how I explained it.
In fact, many times in MY experience a compound could be called a polish, just a very heavy duty one. The only real differences between polishes and compounds was the cutting power.

If Meguairs only calls a product a "Polish" if it has oils in it than that's new to me although I do like and can appreciate the difference and seperation from other products without the extra oils in them.

Than again, but now I'm confused.... lets take M07. that has oils in it correct? and yet that is called a Glaze, not a polish although it makes sense because there is no cutting power in it but still, it adds to confusion.
And the new M205. That's a polish. Does M205 have oils in it to nourish the paint? I really don't know either way on that product.

Darn, I prefer my way of differentiating between products but I guess I'll have to learn the "Meguiars way" for posting on here.

Its not a problem at all... jumping between companies and terminology can confuse new folks, just making sure everyone understands everything.

Honestly, it is easiest to ignore the name (I know, stupid right), and look at what category it falls in. But thats true for all companies. Nu Finish Car Polish is a cleaner/wax if you look at what it does.

#9/#82, #80, #83 ,#205, SwirlX all fall in the cleaner/polish category.

#105, Ultimate Compound, ScratchX would fall in the cleaner only category.

And then #7, DC Polish, # 81 would fall in the pure polish category.

[pt109]

Follow-up...

Well guys, I clayed my car yesterday and have to say I was not
prepared to find so much grundge on my 1 month old car!

I had not noticed it, but my silver car had a brownish/greenish hue to it.

Now the paint looks vibrant and brighter.

Thanks again

[ceyko]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

Its not a problem at all... jumping between companies and terminology can confuse new folks, just making sure everyone understands everything.

Honestly, it is easiest to ignore the name (I know, stupid right), and look at what category it falls in. But thats true for all companies. Nu Finish Car Polish is a cleaner/wax if you look at what it does.

#9/#82, #80, #83 ,#205, SwirlX all fall in the cleaner/polish category.

#105, Ultimate Compound, ScratchX would fall in the cleaner only category.

And then #7, DC Polish, # 81 would fall in the pure polish category.

Murr1525,
Thanks, your two posts helped me a lot and I'd have to agree about somewhat ignoring their names. It almost seems to me that Megs has entirely too many products that are similar.

Just to be sure though. By cleaner, you're referring to fixing blemishes/minor issues? Polish = make shiney?

I'll be looking this up, but it also seems that the pads may make a difference? I had minor blemishes on the last two (which are my first two) cars and the M105 with the yellow Meg 2.0 pad did nothing to remove them. (If it is not that, it is my application of it)

Anyway, thanks for the breakdown.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

Hi guys,:I personally think the polish stage is more important than the wax.I see a lot of people discuss which wax this an' that.I've found the polishing makes the biggest difference on a really clean surface.Carnauba,NXT2.0,Gold class.....They're all good

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

These links might help:

Meguiars Product List....

What are the differences between Meguiar's waxes?

Is it a wax? Or a paint sealant?

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Aggressiveness Order for New Consumer Products - This will surprise you!

Tim Lingor's Meguiar's Product Reviews

[blackt00th]

Re: Why polish AND wax?

Hi guys,:I personally think the polish stage is more important than the wax.I see a lot of people discuss which wax this an' that.I've found the polishing makes the biggest difference on a really clean surface.Carnauba,NXT2.0,Gold class.....They're all good

I would think all the 5 stage are important too.
Previously, my regime would be-wash-clay-ColorX-wax.
Only recently, I finally refound what I have been missing.
Additional gloss and shine with DC2.