# car wax **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 5, 2002, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wax/117439 "2002-07-05T02:11:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wax/117439/1 "2002-07-05T02:11:09Z")
What is the best car wax out there? I just bought a brand new jeep liberty and I want to keep it looking new. Should I go for a wax like NuFinish or something like the traditional turtle wax? ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wax/117439/2 "2002-07-05T02:55:00Z")
I don’t think nufinish is a wax, rather a polish. Turtle was is OK, better than nothing. Personally, I use a straight caranuba wax if possible… like Mothers or Eagle One. My old 1985 300ZX Turbo original paint looked almost new when I sold it 2 years ago. I use it on my Cherokee still… but not as often as the old 300. The Jeep still looks like new after its been cleaned and buffed. I’d recomend waxing every 4 months or so… but YMMV. Oh yeah, use a straight, clean soft cotton cloth to apply and another (duh) to take off. Don’t be bothered with any power buffer or chamois shit. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wax/117439/3 "2002-07-05T05:09:53Z")
Professional car detailers (and paint shops) use Meguiars. Meguiars Deep Crystal Carnuba is a great wax. I use their car cleaner wax and then Deep Crystal. It might not have the long term staying power of some other waxes, but it’s a hell of a nice shine. Mothers and Eagle One are good brands too, but when I go to auto repair shops I always see Meguiars products on the shelf. Good enough for the pros, good enough for me. b. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wax/117439/4 "2002-07-07T06:29:41Z")
now my question is can i use a wax AND a polish? if i can, which one do i use first? ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-wax/117439/5 "2002-07-07T09:22:33Z")
I use Zaino which is a polish. Meguiars makes both a wax and a polish. [http://www.teammeguiars.com/getschooled.asp?id=19](http://www.teammeguiars.com/getschooled.asp?id=19) > [@](#): > > Today there is a lot of confusion about the difference between a polish and a wax. Many manufacturers are marketing waxes as “polishes” and the terms have become almost interchangeable. > > Professionals know there is a big difference. A polish is more like a paint conditioner that restores valuable oils to the paint, eliminates fine scratches and creates incredible high gloss not possible with waxes. An application of a pure polish should be followed by waxing to protect the shine and extend its life. > > Meguiar’s is one of the few companies that still offers car owners a true polish. All are non- abrasive and safe for all paints. > > If you own a dark-color car, you’ll see a dramatic difference if you use a polish. I polish my car every couple of weeks in the summer. Wax is harder to apply and lasts a bit longer, and is a bit more impervious to crud. In the end, it works out to what you like.