[Lanny]

Here is what I found out about polish and /or wax.

Car wax

• Car wax is a non-abrasive coating usually containing Carnuba and other waxes. It is applied after washing your car and dries to a thin, milky-white layer when applied properly and is then wiped or buffed off. The wax serves as a clear, shiny protective layer between the elements and the clear-coat that has been applied over the paint on your car. It fills in very tiny (read, microscopic) dimples in the clear-coat and will help them shine to near-showroom brightness.
  
  

Car polish

• Car polish usually contains a mild abrasive that removes not only some of the more difficult road materials that could splatter onto your car like chemicals, salt, tar, and bugs, but also a very, very thin layer of clear-coat depending on how it is applied and removed. Eventually, the polish could clean away the clear-coat itself and after that it can begin removing paint that the clear-coat was applied to protect in the first place. For this reason, it is highly recommended not to use an electrical buffer when applying polish. Instead, apply and remove by hand or leave it to professionals. Some polishes contain Teflon, so don't even think of making your bathtub regain its luster using polish because it is too slippery.
  
  

When to use which

• Before deciding whether to wax or polish your car, first wash your car thoroughly and make sure it is dry. Then lightly run your fingers over the paint, feeling for rough spots or elevated specks. If the surface is smooth it means you need only apply wax and wipe off according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you feel little bumps or irregularities, it means the defects are below the surface and the car needs to be polished according to the instructions of the polish you've purchased.
  
  

Ups and downs

• We've already talked about the downside of polish. If used too often and wrongly (especially with older cars), it can eventually polish away the clear-coat, paint, and even the undercoat. If it gets that far along, the vehicle will need to be repainted. However, given technological advances, some polishes contain such mild abrasive or polymer blends that damage to the clear coat is minimal. The biggest advantage to polish is that it will shine a lot longer and water will continue to bead for up to a year.
  Wax, on the other hand, needs to be applied much more frequently and can actually melt if it gets hot enough, particularly on flat surfaces, like the roof and hood, which are exposed the most to the sun.
  
  

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