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. A polish brings out the maximum in true or natural gloss in the paint finish. It offers little to no protection however. An application of a pure polish should always be followed by a coat of wax to protect the paint, further boosting gloss and depth but more importantly, creating a protective barrier that extends the life of the paint.