The typical cost of owning a vehicle in the U.S. was about $797 or almost $10,000 yearly. That figure includes car payments, insurance, gas, maintenance, license fees, and tolls. Not to mention that your car drops in value with each passing day.
With so much money bound in your car, it’s a good idea to do all you can to protect it from wear and tear. Among the best methods is regular car waxing and polishing.
The concern is, what’s the distinction between the two detailing services? Read on about the advantages and distinctions between car waxing and polishing a car.
The Product
Among the distinctions between polishing and car waxing lies in the item itself. Car polish is normally a somewhat abrasive liquid, meaning it has little granules of something rough in it. Instead, it conceals small scrapes and imperfections in a car’s paint by gently rubbing off a thin layer of the clear coat.
Car waxing is much thicker and usually comes as a paste. Unlike car polish, wax goes on in a thin layer instead of a transparent liquid. As a result, it sits on top of the paint instead of eliminating part of it.
The Appearance on a Vehicle
Although each product has various textures, they make a vehicle look shiny. This is because they operate in various methods.
Think of it as cleaning up granite countertops. Car polish resembles using a microfiber cloth to get rid of any surface area spots or stuck on foods. Car waxing is more similar to a protective sealant layer.
Paint Protection Abilities
While the paint on your vehicle is suggested to stand up to harsh weather conditions like cold temperatures, wind, and sunlight, it still needs additional protection to keep it looking excellent.
When it concerns paint protection capabilities, car wax wins whenever. Where car polish is more about making it look better, wax is more about securing the way it looks.
A thin layer of carnauba wax sits on top of your vehicle’s paint. It’s a compound from palm fronds that you can find in everything from skin care products to food to car wax. While you rub a few of it off, it leaves behind a thin layer of wax that stays out of wetness and UV rays.
The Application
The application for car waxing and polishing is a little various. While you normally apply polish with a buffer, placing on wax by hand is common. Both are services used throughout car detailing.
For polish, you’ll rinse off any excess polish and then dry it. You’ll use a handheld buffer to eliminate the excess for car waxing.
Keep Your Car in Top Shape
When it comes to car waxing and polishing, it’s not an either-or scenario. Both steps are necessary to maintain your vehicle’s factory shine and protect the paint.