{"id":25728,"date":"2021-12-22T10:00:29","date_gmt":"2021-12-22T02:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carsome.my\/news\/?p=25728"},"modified":"2022-06-30T13:20:07","modified_gmt":"2022-06-30T05:20:07","slug":"car-polish-vs-wax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carsome.my\/news\/item\/car-polish-vs-wax","title":{"rendered":"Car Polish or Wax – How to Maintain Your Car’s Shine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Servicing your car<\/a><\/span> regularly is an important task as a car owner. However, just as you want to keep your car running reliably, you should also take care of its paint job. Maintaining your car\u2019s paint job will not only prevent corrosion and help you catch <\/span>scratches or dents<\/span><\/a><\/span>, it will also help your car retain more of its value.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two methods to maintain the shine of your car – using car wax or polish. But many people aren\u2019t aware of the differences between the two and don\u2019t know how to polish or wax a car. So if you want to learn about the benefits of car polish versus wax and how to preserve your car\u2019s shine, read on.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Car Polish Versus Wax<\/span><\/h2>\n

Over time, a car\u2019s paint job will develop marks, scratches, and become duller due to oxidization. To fix this, you\u2019ll need car polish which is a mildly abrasive compound. It works by removing a very thin layer of the paint and any imperfections on it. As the polish is gently massaged across the car\u2019s paint, it removes the imperfections and smoothens the paint, restoring its original sheen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Car wax, on the other hand, improves the appearance of your paint by applying a layer of wax that fills in surface scratches in the paint. It also adds an additional protective layer that further smoothens and protects your car\u2019s paint job. Besides protecting your car\u2019s paint from scratches<\/a><\/span>, the wax also prevents fading due to heat, ultraviolet rays, and other irritants. And of course, it adds a nice shine to your car\u2019s surface. If you\u2019ve just polished your car, waxing it afterward will improve the shine and make it last longer. Essentially, car polish removes imperfections and creates a shiny surface while wax protects and smoothens the paint\u2019s surface.<\/span><\/p>\n

When to Use Car Polish or Wax<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before deciding if you should use car wax or polish, you need to evaluate the condition of your car\u2019s paint job. First, thoroughly wash and dry your car. Then, check the surface of the paint and feel for any rough spots or scratches. If you can see or feel scratches and bumps, you need to polish your car as the blemishes are most likely below the surface of the paint. If the paint is smooth, you can just apply some wax as per the product\u2019s instructions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To really enhance and preserve the shine of your car\u2019s paint, you should wash, polish, and wax your car regularly. It\u2019s advisable to wax your car once every three months to protect your paint. If you keep that up, polishing your car once or twice a year should be enough to keep your car scratch-free. While you can get great results when you use both car polish and wax on your car, there\u2019s no hard and fast rule that you have to use them together. You can always use one over the other depending on your needs. However, avoid polishing your car too often as it could strip away excess paint and ruin your car.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read: <\/b>A Guide to the Easiest Car Colors to Maintain<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Car Wax<\/span><\/h2>\n

Other than deciding between car polish or wax, you also have different types of waxes to consider. There are more types of car waxes compared to polishes, and they each have their own pros and cons. While all car waxes add an additional protective layer to your car\u2019s surface, with so many types of waxes on the market, it can be tricky to decide on the right one for you. To help you decide what\u2019s best for your needs, below are some of the most common types of car waxes and their benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paste Wax<\/span><\/h3>\n

Paste wax is the oldest form of car wax and is most popular among car enthusiasts, especially old-school ones. Compared to other forms, it creates a glossier, brighter finish when applied resulting in a look that\u2019s hard to obtain with other types of waxes. It\u2019s also very strong and provides excellent protection against UV rays, debris, some chemicals, and light scratches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it requires more time and attention to detail when applying it, making it trickier to use if you\u2019re new to waxing your car. Also, paste wax doesn\u2019t last as long as liquid wax. It wears thin quicker, so you\u2019ll need to reapply it after a few weeks, typically every 8 to 12 weeks. Paste wax also tends to be slightly costlier than other types, especially if it has natural ingredients like Carnauba wax and natural oils.<\/span><\/p>\n

Liquid Wax<\/span><\/h3>\n

Liquid wax is the most commonly used type of wax as its texture makes it easier to apply than a paste. It functions the same as paste wax but tends to last longer – around 6 to 12 months. It doesn\u2019t provide the same level of protection as paste wax and doesn\u2019t give the same brilliant shine, but it\u2019s more than enough for most car owners. Liquid wax is perfect for those who want a wax that\u2019s easy to handle and lasts long. However, some liquid waxes can have a higher amount of abrasive particles, so be sure to read the label before buying one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spray Wax<\/span><\/h3>\n

Spray wax is designed to be a supplementary product to paste and liquid wax. Since you only need to spray it on your car and wipe it off, it takes significantly less time to apply than the other types. Spray wax can intensify the shine on a car that already has a high-quality finish, making it a great tool to touch up your car\u2019s paint finish before you wax your car with a paste or liquid wax again. While it offers some protection from the elements and is a lot easier to apply, it doesn\u2019t last as long as paste or liquid wax.<\/span><\/p>\n

2-in-1 Wash and Wax<\/span><\/h3>\n

A 2-in-1 wash and wax combines a car shampoo and wax in one product, making it a good solution for car owners who don\u2019t have the time to wash, polish, and wax their car. It doesn\u2019t provide the same level of protection as a standalone wax and doesn\u2019t last as long but it can still help your car look shiny and new. If you wash your car regularly with a wash and wax, you can still keep your car clean and give its paint job extra protection.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Easy Steps to Polish and Wax Your Car<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve always wondered how to polish or wax your car, here are the steps you should follow.<\/span><\/p>\n