We will discuss the difference between car waxing and car polishing. Although buffering and waxing both use buffering agents, they are quite different. Polishing and waxing perform different functions and serve different purposes. It's easy to confuse the two, but a proper understanding is integral to treating your car properly.
The difference between car waxing and car polishing is this:
Polishing is a tedious polishing done to eliminate defects in a paint job. Waxing is done later as a final step of protection. Many drivers wish to forgo polishing and simply wax, but that doesn't correct a bad paint job!
Compare polishing and waxing to a family portrait. Everyone wants to capture a beautiful moment and protect it with a beautiful frame (wax). But a nice frame won't fix a bad photo of your aunt with her eyes closed (polished).
For the best paint job, polish before waxing. Many paint jobs have deep defects that wax can only hide. As mentioned before, even brand new cars need a paint correction after a bad wash. Swirls, scratches and air pollution on untreated cars make waxing a stopgap measure at best.
A contaminated paint job will not shine, and once the wax compound is worn, the defect remains. To properly eliminate these paint job defects, an abrasive agent must be used for clay and/or polishing.
What is abrasive?
Abrasives can "cut into" the vehicle's paint job and remove defects. Abrasives may be compounds or instruments. When the vehicle is first purchased from the manufacturer, it should have an even coat of finish.
Scratches, swirls, and other abrasions can tear the finish over time. These jingles leave distinct depressions in the surface.
In order to readjust the paint job, paint corrections must be made with abrasive materials, such as car polish, clay strips, or even sandpaper. Average full paint correction includes:
Clay is preserved
Wet sanding or color sanding, which refines and smooths the paint job, gives it a base
Polishing to remove swirls, scratches and other damage.
When polishing, detail designers use their buffering agents to create a combination of friction and heat. This friction and heat will eat away at all defects. Polishing vehicle surfaces requires a variety of buffering agents and compounds.
Paint corrections are generally measured in three levels:
1 Step Paint Correction (up to 75% defect) - A less aggressive cut that removes most scratches on the vehicle
Two-step Paint Correction (removes up to 90% of defects) A radical method that leaves only the deepest swirls.
3 Step paint correction (removes over 90% of defects) Boring, aggressive polish
After removing residual traces of intense polishing (micro damage), the waxing process begins.
About car wax
Car wax does not have the restorative properties of polish, but it is still vital to your vehicle. Pure wax or "glaze" will protect your car's paint job from the elements.
Wax not only provides a layer of safety protection, but it also provides a beautiful sheen that can help your car shine as it did when purchased.
Carnauba wax comes from the Brazilian palm tree and is a component of most waxes used in the automotive industry.
The industry favors carnauba wax for a number of reasons, including:
Its durability against rain and other pollutants. Once these contaminants appear on your car paint, use clay sticks.
It is easy to combine with most paint jobs
The ability to withstand heat and still protect the vehicle
In full detail, waxing is the finishing touch. Therefore, the beautiful shine depends on the paint correction process.