A little product confusion

[07blkridge]

Okay, This is my first trip through the Meguiars website. I've used Meguiars for years and then went to the "dark side" with the once a year polish/wax combo thing. But now I'm back with a new vehicle and a new resolve to do it RIGHT.
I would very much like to know the differences in the various products that seem so close (eg. Gold Class and NXT and the various "numbered" products).
I used to use the old #7 to "wax" and leave it at that. What do I use, when do I use it? Is there a list of most abrasive to least abrasive, least shiny to most shiny?
I just bought a 2007 Honda Ridgeline in "formal black" and it's gotta look great for the next 6 yrs. And YOU guys have to help me.
Help me Obi Wan Meguiar...you're my only hope.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: A little product confusion

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Meguiar's offers a number of different lines of products each with their own uniqueness or in some cases distribution, the important point to remember is that they all work great.

The most important thing your you and your brand new black Ridgeline will be to find a group of products that will take care of all the surfaces and components on your truck and then set-up a maintenance routine that you'll stick to.

If you do this, (the regular/routine maintenance part), then any of our product lines will keep your car in showroom new condition.

#7 Show Car Glaze by the way is a pure polish and will wash off with repeated washes or when exposed to inclement weather as the purpose of this product is to create beauty and gloss, not protect the paint. Paint protectants, whether they are called a wax or a sealant are designed to last and hold up to all kinds of attack including washing and rainy weather, but this is not the role of a Meguiar's pure polish.

Others will chime in with recommendations and we'll try to add some threads for you to read.

[Murr1525]

Re: A little product confusion

Well, lets see... Be sure to read these first:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What are the Differences Between Meguiar's Waxes

So, every product has something diffeent about it, just a matter of picking what you like, or need. Gold Class wax is a carnuba blend for instance, while Nxt Wax is purely synthetic.

Now, #7 is a pure polish, so it has no cleaning or protective ingrediants in it at all.

A basic routine would look like this by hand:

1. Wash - Good quality soap, (Gold Clas, Nxt ,etc), good sponges, towels, 2-bucket system, Grit Guards.

2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit

3. Clean - Deep Crystal #1 for general cleaning, ScratchX for any swirls.

4. Polish - A pure polish like Deep Crystal #2 or #7 Show Car Glaze.

5. Wax - 2 Coats of your favorite wax, such as Gold Class, Nxt, #21 Synthatic Sealant, etc.

Here are some links to look at if you would want to upgrade to a machine:

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

Hope that helps a little, or ask away some more

[Mike Phillips]

Re: A little product confusion

Here's a good start...

Suggested products for taking care of a new car!

And this one...


The Information Station

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: A little product confusion

to mol. Good luck with your reading and your ridgeline.

[TrufflePig]

Re: A little product confusion

Welcome To Mol!!!