What is the difference between a rubbing compound and a cleaner wax?

Thanks.

 

nobody? pardon if its a noob question..

 

a rubbing compound is abrasive and is used for severe paint defect correction, IE weather marks, bad scratches

a cleaner wax isnt abraisive at all, it typically removes road film and other contaminants that are ontop of the paint

 

Some cleaner waxes have a small amount of abrasive....enough to remove minor swirl marks.

Correct on the rubbing compound. It is generally VERY abrasive.

 

thanks guys..
so i guess a cleaner wax, liquid polish and some sort of paste wax would be good to treat your paint?

 

The order to use them in would be: polish, cleaner wax, paste wax if you want to use those 3 products.

I would do the following: wash, clay, polish, seal, wax.

 

If I use a cleaner wax, would I have to use a regular wax afterwards?

 

You wouldn't have to, but a top coat of paste wax will add to the wetness and depth of the shine (especially on black) as well as adding another thin layer of protection.