im not allowed to post in the lounge yet so its going here. I was wondering if polishing and buffing are the same thing. what I got from the internet is polishing is using an abrasive pad to smoothe out scratches. ive done buffing before and was wondering if its ok to buff a car and wax it or do you have to polish it before you wax it?

 

Apply the way or polish, then buff it off with a microfiber rag. Polishing is the step before waxing, The buffing is the step where you take the wax off the car.

If you're asking if it's OK to wax the car in between polishings, then hell yes. The polish brings out the shine, and the wax protects the paint after polishing, It's not good to polish it unless you see swirl marks or some kind of imperfection in the paint. I polish my car's paint once every three or four waxes.
When you wash it, make sure you use car wash soap. Dish soap will strip the wax off of your car, In fact, some people will use dish soap to wash their car before polishing to strip the old wax off and start fresh.
Polish, buff, wax, buff, done.

No need for tools. Hand polishing is better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp2R7OgTu54

 

Buffing is finalizing the paint surface. Waxing is a coating and protects the paint. 20+ years as a painter speaking.

 

At what point in these processes would you clay bar it? Wax clay bar then wax again?

 

Clay bar for rough surface like overspray. buffing shines and finishes surface, wax to protect. All this is under assumption paint is in good shape. Don't confuse "dirty" paint surface with one that is simply worn out.

 

check this out, it works well on a car that is new to you, or hasn't been detailed in a while https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-phillips.html

basically you wash, clay bar, rub it with the #7 stuff, and either call it good and wax it, or buff it out and then wax it.

the #7 stuff does work, and its much easier on the paint than just to buff it.