What's the difference between a cleaner wax and a regular paste wax?

A cleaner wax (such as a one-step product) contains mild abrasives or chemical cleaners that remove light oxidation and swirls while laying down protection in a single pass. A pure paste wax only protects and adds gloss, so it works best on paint that's already polished. Cleaner waxes are convenient for older or neglected finishes.