Is it better to polish or wax a car?
Quick answer: Neither is “better” -- they do different jobs. Polish corrects paint (reduces haze, swirls and oxidation); wax/sealant/ceramic protects and boosts gloss. Best practice: polish first, then lock it in with protection. For lowest upkeep, a ceramic coating cuts washing and reduces how often you’ll need to do any maintenance.
You should do both, as they are two entirely different things. Polishing will restore paintwork but do little to protect it. Waxing will protect paintwork, but do little to restore it.
What are you trying to achieve? Polishing and waxing serve different purposes, they complement one another more than compete. Polishing is about correction. It removes light swirl marks, light scratches, oxidation and fine defects in the clear coat, revealing a smooth, clean surface. Waxing, on the other hand, applies a layer that sits on top to protect, repel water and add gloss.
If you only ever wax, you’ll protect the paint you have, but you won’t fix damage already there. You’ll still see haze, micro-marks, dull spots. If you only polish, you’ll get stunning shine, but that finish will be vulnerable, unprotected against UV, bird droppings, rain, road grime. So polishing alone isn’t enough in the long run.
The better choice, for anyone who cares about their car, is to polish first, then wax (or seal/coating). Do the heavy lifting with polish, then lock in the result with a protective layer.
Your environment, how often you use the car, the time you have for maintenance and budget always play a role. The better protected your car is with a coating, the less polishing you will need to do, if ever! You'll also need to do less washing as shiny cars stay cleaner for longer. If your car sees lots of use, especially in harsh conditions such as winter motorways, then I would recommend top-level protection such as a ceramic coating. Of course, I would recommend a ceramic coating regardless of your situation as it will cut maintenance by at least half.
Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 25/09/2025 16:29