# Polish or Wax? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [January 16, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995 "2009-01-16T01:32:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![oldsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e0b2c6/32.png) [@oldsfan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldsfan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/1 "2009-01-16T01:32:13Z")
Is there a difference in shine? protection? I live in a warm, wet climate, and I would like to be able to protect my car without having to cover it with a car cover. What does the better job in providing shine as well as great UV and element protection for the paint – a polish or a wax? I have used both over the years and am currently using Zaino, but I am looking for other opinions/information. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/2 "2009-01-16T01:34:20Z")
Polish is used to remove fine scratches from the paint finish. Wax is used to protect the paint finish. Tester ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/3 "2009-01-16T01:40:02Z")
I was surprised and amazed to discover that, according to Consumer Reports, some of the least expensive car waxes lasted longer, and provided greater protection, than the expensive brands. If I remember correctly, Turtle Wax was one of the best. Who knew? Use any brand of wax or polish you like. They’re all pretty much the same, as far as I can tell. The most important factor is; is the car in a garage or is it outside? ---
**Author:** ![oldsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e0b2c6/32.png) [@oldsfan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldsfan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/4 "2009-01-16T01:48:55Z")
Thanks for the information. One car is under a carport, but the other is in the driveway. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/5 "2009-01-16T02:18:00Z")
In a wax look for a product with carnuba (check my spelling) ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/6 "2009-01-16T02:28:52Z")
Just make sure either is compatible with clear coat finishes. Polish only when necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 2:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/7 "2009-01-16T02:46:26Z")
I usually polish and then wax, but that is just because I don’t wax as often as I should. If you wax the car as often as you should, you can get away with not polishing that often. Since you live in a warm climate, you should wax frequently, at least every six months…more ofen if your car is red or black. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 2:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/8 "2009-01-16T02:55:55Z")
They’re two different products… Polish makes the paint look good…Wax PROTECTS the paint to keep it looking good. ---
**Author:** ![oldsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e0b2c6/32.png) [@oldsfan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldsfan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 12:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/9 "2009-01-16T12:11:43Z")
So, generally speaking, a polish does not protect the paint surface? I thought it was just the opposite. I thought a polish provides protection and wax shine with limited protection. ??? ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/10 "2009-01-16T14:44:15Z")
Correct…Polish does NOT protect the paint surface…In fact many polish’s will remove any wax. Of course you can buy the Polish/Wax combo…but I don’t recommend it. You’ll get much better results if you use a Cleaner…then Polish…then sealant/wax. [http://www.dccarcare.com/tipowk/tipowk10.html](http://www.dccarcare.com/tipowk/tipowk10.html) ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2009, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/polish-or-wax/24995/11 "2009-01-16T23:41:21Z")
I have to somewhat disagree with my respected and knowledgable friends on this one. While technically polish is a fine abrasive and wax a protective coating, The terms are being used interchangably for consumer protective coatings for cars. I believe the industry is using the word “polish” as in “to polish” meaning to shine. I’m going to check this out the next time I’m at Wally World, but I think the terms are being used pretty loosely.