No its actually a piece of clay, kinda like a cake of soap.
You really need to make sure the car is clean before you start & use water when using it... a hose dribbling over the panel. You rub it back & forth over the panel, washing it off in a bucket to keep it clean.
I think you can get different grades/stiffness too, softer or hard.
If you buy one, definately ask the guy at the paint shop how to use it.
If all the paint is crap looking & not shiny any more, maybe the car needs a buff & polish.
The clay block doesnt really restore shine.