Ultimate Quik Spray Wax vs. Gold Series Quik Spray Wax

[JPW]

I'm not sure what is going on with Meguiar's product line, but I find this confusing. I have a 2013 Black Lincoln MKS Ecoboost. I drive daily about 75 miles and I typically wash my car once every week or two. I read good things about Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Spray Wax so I gave it a try and I think it is great. However, after doing a little more research I see there is also a Gold Series Quick Spray Wax and it states it is specifically designed to assist with Black vehicles. So which is better? Is Ultimate truly the ultimate for Black cars or is what Meguiar's claims as specifically designed for Black cars (Gold Series in this case) better?

[The Guz]

Re: Ultimate Quik Spray Wax vs. Gold Series Quik Spray Wax

Welcome to MOL.

Both are great products but are indeed different. Gold Class is a carnauba based spray wax where as ultimate quik wax is synthetic. Both give different looks to a dark colored car. UQW is more durable and longer lasting. It also is very hydrophobic. It can also be used on trim without leaving any white residue. It can also be used in the sun.

Do you prefer the look of carnauba where it gives the car that warm waxed look or do you prefer the glossiness a synthetic wax offers? It all comes down to personal preference.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Ultimate Quik Spray Wax vs. Gold Series Quik Spray Wax

First off, welcome to MOL!

As to your question, yes, we understand it can be a bit confusing to have multiple spray waxes and spray detailers so let's see if we can clarify things for you (and for others) a bit.

Let's look at quick detailers versus quick waxes in general to start:

Quick detailers are designed to give lubricity to the paint surface so that you can safely remove light dust, fingerprints, bird droppings, etc without scratching the paint. In their simplest form, this is all they are designed to do, but we can add some other ingredients that bring different characteristics along with them. Like in Ultimate Quik Detailer, we added some hydrophobic polymers that give additional slickness and water beading. In the Gold Class Quik Detailer we added some ingredients that can actually darken the paint a bit. This darkening of the paint goes along with one of the primary reasons people often choose a carnauba wax (like Gold Class Carnauba Plus) over a synthetic - they like that deep, dark, wet look that a carnauba can impart on darker colors. These people wanted a quick detail spray that would continue that trend, and so Gold Class Quik Detailer was born. Any such additional characteristics brought by a quick detailer will not be very long lived since quick detailers are designed to be used very regularly, as frequently as daily if you so choose.

Spray waxes, on the other hand, should only be applied to a paint surface that is totally clean, like immediately following a proper washing of the vehicle. Yep, just like you would for a proper liquid or paste wax. Ultimate Quik Detailer further enhances the hydrophobic characteristics with a heavier polymer load, and it's a great supplement to synthetic waxes such as NXT Tech Wax 2.0 or Ultimate Wax. Gold Class Quik Wax will do even more to darken the paint, just as Gold Class Carnauba Plus will, and as such is the perfect supplement to that wax (or other carnauba waxes, for that matter). Both are applied in much the same manner as a quick detailer: simply spray onto a panel, wipe with a microfiber towel, flip the towel and give a final wipe. They also work great during the drying process of a wash.

So, which spray wax should you choose for a black daily driver? In the most generalized sense, we would recommend using the spray wax that most closely matches your primary wax choice (UQW for synthetics, GCQW for carnaubas). For a daily driver the UQW makes the most sense in that it will provide the longest lasting protection, along with the hydrophobic polymers that promote pretty terrific water beading. If you care more about appearance than water beading and protection, then Gold Class Quik Wax will do more to darken the paint. For this reason we usually recommend this for darker colorer, high end show cars and the like. But these are all general recommendations, and what's best for you and your needs is pretty much up to you. There is no wrong answer here - pick the one that best fits your needs and wants and go with it. Even if that means using UQW over a carnauba wax or GCQW over a synthetic sealant.

Clear as mud now????

[JPW]

Re: Ultimate Quik Spray Wax vs. Gold Series Quik Spray Wax

Thank you Guz and Michael. This explained a lot. I've been really impressed by the UQW and since it appears to be a bit more durable than the GCQW this is probably a no-brainer for me, I should just stay with the UQW.

I've used the UQD as well because it also came so highly recommended, but for whatever reason I've had horrible luck with it. I've got to believe it is my fault since so many other speak highly of it, but I've found applying it there will sometimes be a stray streak or two and to buff it out isn't easy. This never happens when I use the UQW so who knows what I'm doing wrong.

Then just yesterday it rained on my just washed and waxed car for only about 3 minutes. I thought this might be a perfect time to use the UQD and at first it seemed to be. I went over a few areas and it took the water spots right out (I'm sure there wasn't any etching since they just got on there). The panels looked really good. However, I then went over one panel and when I looked back there were noticeable scratches in about a 4" area and they went upward, not a direction I would expect would happen from driving so it seemed pretty clear I did it. I don't have a clue why I'm having such bad luck with this product.

Anyway, it has left me pretty skiddish about using UQD again. I'm probably better off with just using Ultimate Car Wash and UQW. If it gets dirty somehow then I should probably just leave it alone until the next wash and wax. The less touches the less I can mess up.

Thanks again for the help clarifying these products.

[The Guz]

UQD is great. If you use too much it can streak. Try misting 1-2 sprays per panel and wipe on/wipe off. Also scratches can be induced by low quality microfibers.

[gclark26]

Mike
Where does D156 fit ? Carnauba or synthetic?

[ffboy]

Re: Ultimate Quik Spray Wax vs. Gold Series Quik Spray Wax

I'm biased towards durability, so I'd go for the Ultimates. Sure, the Gold Class line (detailer and spray wax) should work real well on dark colors, but if the difference isn't that huge, I'd go for the Ultimates. I've used UQD and UQW before on light and dark colors, and in both cases, the results were terrific.

My first experience with UQD was disappointment. Initially, it felt tacky upon first application, but after a couple of uses and seeing the deeper gloss I got, I loved it!

[gclark26]

I found my answer
*Meguiars Synthetic X-press™ Spray Wax is the quick way to add depth, gloss, and protection to any vehicle! Spray it on and wipe to reveal a rich gloss that will stand up to the elements.

[The Guz]

Mike
Where does D156 fit ? Carnauba or synthetic?

It's synthetic. D156 is the bulk version of ultimate quik wax.