#21 over a carnuba ?

[mpmiller37]

I generally use #21 and sometimes top it with a carnuba. After a couple months, is it ok to put the #21 on again and repeat the process ? i.e.. does it make sense to put #21 over a carnuba that has been on the car for a while or do I need to strip everything off and start over ?

[Mike Phillips]

If you apply a coat of M21 onto your car's finish that has been previous protected with a coating of a Carnauba wax, then first of all, if the car is a daily driver, exposed to inclimate weather, and has been washed since applying this Carnauba wax, chances are good that some of the wax coating has already been removed.

Whatever has not been removed will mostly be removed when you apply the M21, or any type of liquid or paste wax, the reason for this is the product will tend to remove whatever is on the surface but more importantly, the agitating action supplied by the simple act of pushing a product around on the surface will tend to have a cleaning effect, that is it will tend to loosen and either remover or at a minimum redistribute whatever was previously applied.

How are you going to apply the M21? By hand or machine? Using an aggressive action or a gentle action? Using an aggressive application material or a soft and supple application material?

If the car has seen use since last applying the Carnauba wax, then go ahead and apply the M21 to the finish after first insuring the finish is clean by either washing the car or wiping the finish clean using a quick detailer. The M21 contains a sleight amount of cleaning ability and together with the application process it should remove most of any previously applied wax from the surface.

If you applied the coat of Carnauba wax and then parked the car in an enclosed building and have not driven it, then you might want to use a paint cleaner to remove the previously applied coating of wax. If you want to insure all traces of the previously applied Carnauba wax is removed, then definitely use a dedicated paint cleaner, or a cleaner/polish to prep the surface before applying the M21. This would probably be the best route to go for maximum product performance.

[mpmiller37]

Wasn't sure if I was going to apply the #21 by hand or PC. I guess the real question is: is it best to remove any residual wax coatings so that the #21 properly bonds to the paint for the most durable protection ? I was thinking the #21 would not bond as well if there was residual wax on the paint. Or, if I used #21 and top coated with wax then I suppose in a couple months I could put another coat of wax on but I'm not sure of what kind of durability to expect with #21 on a daily driver.

[Mike Phillips]

In the Meguiar's line, for maximum performance, you always want to apply our paint protectants to a surface that is clean and smooth.

For best performance, you should pre-clean your car's finish with either a dedicated paint cleaner such as ScratchX or Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, or use a cleaner/polish like #9, #82 or #80 by either hand or with an orbital polisher; then apply the M21 Synthetic Sealant. Cleaning your car's paint in this way will remove the previously applied Carnauba wax and leave a finish ready to accept a fresh coat of wax, or paint protection.