Spray waxes just as good as Hand wax?
There are paste, liquid and spray waxes. With regards to paste waxes, you can get hard and soft waxes too boot.
Matter of preference really but generally speaking, spray waxes are general not as good as paste or liquid.
As for Hand Wax.. - that's just a marketing thing. Most people apply waxes by hand. However, there are certain types and techniques were you can apply them by machine (especially sealants).
Synthetic spray wax, carnauba wax , liquid wax, paste wax, cleaner wax, lsp, spray sealant.
LSP just means Last Step Product.
CleanerWax has some light cleaning properties. Don't think of it like a true polish.
Spray wax/sealant is just that, in a spray bottle.
Liquid/Paste is just that. Liquid form in a bottle vs. paste in a tin.
Wax vs. Sealant vs. Wax/Sealant - Sealant typically means a synthetic polymer vs. a carnuba based product. However, there are products that are a mix of carnuba and synthetic sealants. Technically speaking, waxes seal paint from the elements as well. Sealants being primarly synthetic typically bond better and have longer durability but that often has to do more with how the paint is prepared before the LSP application.
One class you missed were Glazes - not technically as LSP but some do use it as such (my neighbour for example who refuses to understand what a glaze is). They are a oily product to hide some very minor marring and gives a wet look to the wax topper. Typically not used under a sealant as it would interfere with the sealants cross linking to the clear.
Also Quick Detailers. Typically a highly lubricating wax embedded spray liquid used after washes to provide some extra protection inbetween waxing of the paint. Typically used after each wash or to remove loss dust from the paint vs. a full wash.
What about polishes? is there a difference between rubing compound, liquid polish, ect?
All compounds and polishes are liquid.
Compounds are very aggressive products and as a rule of thumb, need to be applied by some type of polisher. There are different gradees of compounds - typically rated in how deep of sanding scratch they can remove. 800grit, 1200grit, 1500grit etc. The smaller the grit, the deeper the scratch and the more aggressive the polish is.
Polishs are less aggressive and also to remove swirls and used to remove compound hazing. Some can be used by hand but typically used with a polisher.
Cleaners are even less aggressive still and typically chemical cleaning vs. abrasive polishing. Can be used by hand.
So .. things you want to read up on:
Washes: Sudsy type, cirtus type (stripper), lubricating type, NoRinse Formula types
Claying: Mild to moderate abrasive
Compounds: Dimenshing abrasive type vs. Non-dimenshing abrasive; different techniques used to compound each type
Polishes: Dimenshing absrasive type vs. Non-dimenshing absravie; different techniques used to polish each type
LSP: Sealants, Waxes, Glazes
Machines: Random Orbitor Polishes, Cyclo, Flex, Rotary Polisher
Pads: Wool, Foam .. types of foam
Wheel cleaners: Acid formulation vs. Non acidic, pH Neutral etc.
Towels: 100% Cotton vs. Microfiber; then quality of microfiber (70/30, 80/20 blends; weights per inch etc.) Then how to wash Microfiber as it can melt in dryers etc.
Are spray waxes just as good as hand wax? what is the difference between synthetic spray wax , carnauba wax , liquid wax, paste wax, cleaner wax, lsp, spray sealant.