Washing and waxing will not remove spiderweb swirls, oxidation, or water spots. To permanently restore a mirror finish, you must mechanically level the clear coat through paint correction.
Compounds vs. Polishes Compounds are heavy-cut abrasives designed to remove deep scratches and severe defects rapidly. However, they often leave behind a slight haze. Polishes utilize micro-abrasives to refine the surface, removing that haze and restoring maximum optical clarity.
Choosing Your Machine For 90% of users, a Dual Action (DA) polisher is the correct choice. Because the pad oscillates and rotates simultaneously, heat is dispersed, making it nearly impossible to burn through your paint. Rotary polishers spin on a single fixed axis, delivering immense cutting power for severe defects, but they require professional experience to wield safely.