further elaborating on waxes and polishes...
legal disclaimer: "i am not the author of the below given paragraphs, they have been taken from the post of an experienced detailer from a western detailing site"
"The biggest misconception i come across in detailing is people that dont understand the difference between waxing and polishing. I can see how they get confused, its the care care product manufactures fault mostly. Anyway here you go.
Polishing
Polishing is used to fix paint defects. Polishes can be either chemical or abrasive.
Chemical polishers include things like Swissvax cleaner fluid, polylack nano clean, Dodo lime prime light. They chemically clean the surface to remove contaminants and defects. They will not remove swirl marks. For this you need an abrasive polish.
Abrasive polish
There are many brands. The best i have used is Menzerna. But the meguiars professional range is abrasive as is the optimum polishing range. Abrasive polishes need a machine to reach their full potential. Either a random orbital, forced rotation or a rotary.
Abrasive polishes have tiny little abrasives suspended in the liquid. This is what does the work the size and type of abrasive varies depending on the polish you use. The abrasives round the edges of the scratches and swirls so they can no longer be seen. In the case of swirls and fine scratches they are removed. In the carse of deep scratches they are always reduced and with the use of wet/dry sand paper can be removed. Menzerna Powergloss has large abrasives which remove large defects but leave the surface full of marring and quite dull. Then there is menzerna intensive polish this is between the two but on most colours needs to be followed with final finish. This depends on the pad used. Menzerna Final Finish leaves the surface free from defects and with a great depth and shine.
Waxing
Waxing is the last step you do when washing or detailing your car. That is why you may see it referred to as the LSP (last step product). The purpose of waxing is to create a barrier between your paint and the environment. Most waxes contain UV inhibitors to stop the sun damaging the paint. They also repel water which stops your paint getting etchings from watermarks. There are many may different LSP's out there both natural or synthetic or even a mixture of both.
Natural waxes tend to give more of a warmth and a glow. These waxes range in price starting at around $50 and up to $19000. Brands include Swissvax, P21S, Dodo (My favorite!!)and many many more. These are the boutique brand waxes. You can get off the shelf waxes but i dont rate them for durability or look personally. If they are working for you then go for it! Natural waxes also tend to bead water. This means the water forms tight little beads that run off very easily. If you have a freshly waxed car and drive it in the rain you will find the water will just run off. The lower end waxes and off the shelf waxes last 1-5 weeks before needing to be reapplied whereas the higher end can last 6-12 weeks.
Synthetic
Synthetic products do not contain wax. They, for the most part contain polymers or acrylic. These are the two main types of sealers. Sealers include Zaino Z2 and Z5, Polylack Nano seal, Optimum opti seal, Zaino AIO and Duragloss 105. Sealants start at around $35 for the boutique brands. I have found Zaino and duragloss to be the best as it can be layerd unlimited times but still remains optically perfect if you use Z2. Z5 will not as it has fillers to hide swirling. I swing towards Duragloss as its a lot cheaper (and im pretty sure its the same stuff)
Sealants give a different look to wax. It gives a look that is best described as sterile. The paint is shiny but it lacks the warmness and glow of a natural wax. Some sealants like the Klasse make the car look like it has a plastic coating. Some people love this look so leave it others, like myself, don't and then top it with a natural wax.
Synthetics tend to sheet water. The water wont form beads, rather it will just run off in a sheet is the best way to describe it. Sealants leave a very slick and slippery surface. Sealants also last a lot longer than a wax with most giving at least 3 months protection and up to 12 months for layered sealants.
Combination waxes
These have a mix of both natural and synthetic waxes present. These are waxes like Optimum car wax (OCW). They are a good compromise as they give the look of a natural wax and some of the durability of a sealant. Layered OWC can last 3-4 months.
Filler waxes
These are waxes like Meguairs NXT range. They contain things called fillers which fill swirls and scratches. The fillers also mute the metallic in the paint so it wont pop as much. As the product wears off the defects return."
