How soon after polishing can I apply wax, sealant or ceramic coating?

There is usually no waiting time required, but the surface must be prepared correctly first. Remove polishing residue and oils with a panel wipe before applying a ceramic coating, because oils can prevent bonding. For waxes and many sealants, a thorough wipe-down is usually enough. The exception is freshly repainted panels, which may need to cure before being sealed.