switching to Meguiar's - have questions

[xappie]

HI all

I have been using Mothers 3 step system for a while and now that I am running low on product, I thought I would switch to Meguiar's. Shopping locally, I can get #7, #9, and #26. Will it be ok to apply 9 and 26 right on top of my existing wax? (I have been using the 100% carnauba paste and it is fairly fresh.)

Basically, I want to know if I have to remove the existing product from my car or if it is safe to apply the Megs right on top. I will probaly just go with 9 then 26 to start. Is that the correct order?

[Mike Phillips]

Hi xappie,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

If you apply the #9 first, because it is a cleaner/polish, just the act of applying this product with its gentle cleaners with a soft, clean foam applicator pad should enough to remove most of the wax protection and leave you with fresh, clean polished base to start with.

Mothers makes great products, I hop that you're just as happy with Meguiar's.

Mike

[gb387]

The nice thing about #9 2.0 is that its a cleaner and a polish so it should help remove the old wax. Then apply the #26 as you said, I like #26 great easy to use product that gives good results. I have also had good luck with my #9 2.0.

I like a three step system myself, it seems to give deeper better looking results. You know something like... #9 2.0, #7 then the #26. The #9 polishes up well but not as well as a dedicated polish like #7 or #81. Just my opinion.

What color car and what year? Sounds like you take care of it.

[xappie]

I guess I am used to the Mothers naming convention, but would it make sense to use 9, 7 and then 26 in that order? Or is 7 supposed to come after 9???

Actually, if #7 is the glaze, doesn't that mean it can be used at any time.

Bottom line is I am looking to replace the Mothers 3 step system which is Prewax cleaner, Sealer and Glaze, Carnauba. So which 3 Megs products would be comparable?

The prewax cleaner phase isn't really necessary right now, so I am really just looking for the glaze and wax steps now. Maybe I am getting confused with the megs vs mothers terminology?

My car is a 2003 Focus zx3, French Blue - which is a metallic paint with clear coat. I like it.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi xappie,

There is some confusion when you switch over to the Professional line, here's a tip, There is no order to the numbers, they are just reference numbers.

The #9 is a cleaner/polish, it contains a small amount of diminishing abrasives to help remove fine swirls and scratches. Best results come when applied by machine, either rotary buffer or dual action polisher.

#7 is a pure polish - it contains no ingredients with the intended purpose of abrading the surface. It's sole duty is to add brilliant high gloss and a deep, wet shine.

#26 is a pure wax. It offers no cleaning ability and needs to be applied to a new car, or a car in like new condition, this would mean a car whose finish has been pre-cleaned and pre-polished.

Now in Meguiar's Consumer Line, we have the Deep Crystal System. This system does have a Number Order. There is,

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner - Step 1
Deep Crystal Polish - Step 2
Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax - Step 3

You might find these products easier to start with and then gravitate towards the Professional line. The #9 Swirl Remover is more aggressive than the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner by the way.

If you should choose to use the Professional line product that you listed, the order would be,

#9 Swirl Remover 2.0
#7 Show Car Glaze
#26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax

Mike

p.s.

For a good primer on Meguiar's, read this,

7. What's the difference between polish and wax? (Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle)

It's an easy read and explains a lot of the basics.

[xappie]

Thanks. That is very helpful.

So if the 7 is a pure polish, will tend to make slight swirls show up more? My car is only 1 year old and I have been trying to take care of it, but I do have some random swirls. They are VERY light, but do show up under the correct lighting.

I do everything by hand - should I skip #9 then?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by xappie
Thanks. That is very helpful.

So if the 7 is a pure polish, will tend to make slight swirls show up more? My car is only 1 year old and I have been trying to take care of it, but I do have some random swirls. They are VERY light, but do show up under the correct lighting.

I do everything by hand - should I skip #9 then?

The #7 Show Car Glaze will tend to hide them, not highlight them.

Originally you asked,

[b]quote]I want to know if I have to remove the existing product from my car or if it is safe to apply the Megs right on top?[/quote]

I suggested the #9 because it's very mild cleaning action when applied by hand, especially with a foam applicator pad, will tend to clean the paint and thus remove whatever products are sitting on the top, and to some degree, anything that it in the microscopic surface imperfections.

#9 Swirl Remover is a cleaner/polish, but a very gentle one at that. If you were to feel some between your fingers it would feel like hand lotion.

#7 Show Car Glaze can be a little difficult to remove from clear coats, I would recommend the Deep Crystal Polish followed by either the #26 Hi-Tech Wax, or the NXT Tech Wax.

Keep is simple.

Wash
Deep Crystal Polish
Wax
Maintain with a quick detailer like Meguiar's Quik Detailer.

Hope this helps...

Mike

p.s.

When was the last time the car was clayed? If it's been a while, you should consider claying it before starting any of this. You would be surprised what the clay bar will remove that neither your eyes can see or sense of touch can feel.

[xappie]

I clayed the car last weekend, which was when I noticed I am running low on my products and started to think about switching.

So I can mix and match from the "consumer" line and the "professional" line of your products??

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by xappie
So I can mix and match from the "consumer" line and the "professional" line of your products??

Yes. Meguiar's product are very compatible with one another.

Mike

[drag_slick]

Hi, First post here... so be gentle

I have a 98 silverado that's indigo blue metallic. My current waxing procedure is #9 SMR 2.0 followed by #7 show car glaze then the high tech yellow wax (can't remember the #), applied with a sears orbital. It does a really good job, but doesn't remove the moderate stuff.

I now have a PC on it's way to me, will I get better results with the #9 for moderate scratch and swirl removal with the PC, or will the results be the same as the sears and I should use something more coarse with the PC.

I do have a bottle of 3m finesse-it finishing material, would that be too coarse?

What would be the Megiuars equivalent to the 3m finesse-it finishing material be?