Wax vs Polish - The Difference

[NickZ]

Quick question - do you apply the lime prime in between the polish and wax? Or before the polish? Also, can you just use the lime prime in place of a polish, particularly if the paint is in reasonably good shape?

[jasn78]

nick my thoughts are if the swirls arent bad etc use it instead of the polish

[hooba]

I've just come across this thread and it is very comprehensive guide, congrats Dan.

I swear by the OCW that Dan refers to above, you can do a car in 15 minutes after washing it for brilliant results that lasts for weeks. It's a great product for people who don't have the time or energy to get top results every time you wash your car.

[ccbloke]

Great advice offered here...thank you.

I've been cleaning for years using the 'one-bucket' system - obvious really that two buckets are the way to go.

Will now research a little more deeply into the art of polishing -I have a MY09 Passat with light swirl marks and a few very fine scratches (in black).

I'd like to do this myself as I would enjoy it - my only concern is causing damage - wouldn't be happy Jan! Perhaps I should do work experience with a reputable detailer first!!

I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning but it does feel great when you've transformed a vehicle from 'tired' to 'showroom' (or somewhere in between).

Quick question - prior to polishing - what's the best (difference) between the clay bar system and the Lime Prime products??

[Mrk_Mickey]

Great advice offered here...thank you.

I've been cleaning for years using the 'one-bucket' system - obvious really that two buckets are the way to go.

Will now research a little more deeply into the art of polishing -I have a MY09 Passat with light swirl marks and a few very fine scratches (in black).

I'd like to do this myself as I would enjoy it - my only concern is causing damage - wouldn't be happy Jan! Perhaps I should do work experience with a reputable detailer first!!

I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to cleaning but it does feel great when you've transformed a vehicle from 'tired' to 'showroom' (or somewhere in between).

Quick question - prior to polishing - what's the best (difference) between the clay bar system and the Lime Prime products??

Lime prime brings up gloss and is actually a polish/cleanser, while a claybar's only function is to strip contaminants off your paint surface. All sedans with flat boots and flat rain trays at the back of the car will have contaminants there that the claybar will need to pick up first, so that when you polish the lime prime on it doesn't cause any more swirls in the paintwork.

I'd actually suggest you clay your car and then lime prime it (with a machine if you can, and a soft foam pad) because it sounds like lime prime will clean up your swirls.

[ccbloke]

Cool - that makes sense. Thank you!

So in effect, the clay bar removes the 'raised' surface blemishes (bugs, sap, spicks and specks) and the lime prime is a very mild polish or cutting compound to be used as the final clean before waxing/sealing? You would use the lime prime if the paint is is good condition and just needs a spruce up rather than a full make-over?

[drewr]

Great info! Definatly going to buy some of those products!

Question though, when applying Polish, and also when applying wax, what is the best method for application? Should an orbital tool be used?

[jasn78]

Great info! Definatly going to buy some of those products!

Question though, when applying Polish, and also when applying wax, what is the best method for application? Should an orbital tool be used?

drew with polish I def would not do it by hand unless ur into sado machisim wax/sealant i would do by hand

[darkfriend]

Hi all. I'm new to all this.

Wondering how difficult it is to apply hard wax by hand? If doing it by hand should I buy a soft wax? Was thinking of Dodo products.

Thanks

[drewr]

drew with polish I def would not do it by hand unless ur into sado machisim wax/sealant i would do by hand

Hahah. Nah, i drive machinery mate, hence I like to void the whole 'manual labour' **** :-P

Ok so, wax/sealant, that's applied to the entire car correct? By hand? then when you polish with say one of those orbital polishers, that will remove the wax resedue and polish at the same time??