Exterior car detailing is more than just washing. It includes minimizing surface scratches, applying shield sealant, and making the car sparkle as ever. When considering exterior car details, two options come to mind; waxing and polishing. You've washed your car, what's next? Applying one or the other incorrectly, you put your car at greater risk, accelerate wear and tear, and ultimately lead to more expensive maintenance and repairs.
The difference between car waxing and car polishing
Waxes act as fillers, while polishes act as abrasives. Therefore, one cannot replace another. Remember, the main issue here is the presence of abrasive, which means it corrects and sands the surface.
Car waxing helps protect the car's finish and enhances its coating by filling in any gaps in the surface (e.g. small imperfections, small scratches). Best used as a mandatory protection step after polishing and washing the car. Since car wax is classified as a paint sealer, any stains or dirt on the paint will also be sealed on the vehicle. After all, the main reason you see scratches is light bouncing off the uneven surface of the scratch, and you can minimize that effect by padding it.
Waxing protects your car from dust, UV rays and other pollutants that can damage your vehicle. Waxes can also be found at your local auto store as liquid, paste, or spray wax. In terms of their effect, they are nearly identical, but their application method and durability vary. Note that using wax doesn't fix the scratch, it just temporarily hides it.
On the other hand, car polishing helps remove dirt, surface scratches, swirls, oxidation and many other minor car imperfections. While car polishes can remove grime, they don't offer any protection. Be aware that too much buffing may remove more paint than expected, exposing the primer. It contains abrasive, just like sanding a varnished surface.
By smoothing the surface, you minimize the depth of scratches, so they become less noticeable and severe. Because it provides no protective properties, it is usually done with wax. So even though these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not actually interchangeable, but complementary.