I detailed cars for awhile professionally before I started my current job. Wax is always good for a car, but I recommend getting your car professionally buffed at a shop. You can try it yourself, but I dont recommend using the $30 'polishers' you see at part stores. Dewalt makes a good buffer, and the pads attach easily with hook and loop. There are different pads and compounds for different levels of scratches. Using a heavy compound will remove deep scratches, but you will have to go over it again with something lighter to hide the swirls. Anyway, the easiest way, if you do it yourself, is to buy a cleaner/polisher type compound. (Mothers, Cal gold, etc). Most amateurs leave little 3D swirls all over the car that look like hell in the bright sun. Thats why I recommend taking it to a shop. I recommend Carnuba wax. (None is actually 'pure' as stated in a previous response). Liquid works okay, but the harder wax or paste, usually in metal cans, have the best protection. My 94 Explorer has 140,000 miles and is driven year round in Maine, but it still has a nice, deep shine. (The thing runs damn good too,just regular maintainence). I hope I could help.