Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

[wwally]

I have used the Cleaner Wax as my sole product for several decades but now, with my first black, clear coated car, things are going to get more complicated. I've gone to NXT 2.0, but it clearly doesn't have anything like the cleaning and polishing power of the Cleaner Wax. Can someone recommend a pure (no wax) Meguiars cleaner/polish to use with the NXT, with roughly the cleaning and polishing power of the Cleaner Wax? I should add that I have also used clay for about the last decade--before the Cleaner Wax if needed. I use a PC orbital with 8006 and 9006 pads, usually the 8006 because it cleans better and the final surface looks fine to me. So I'm thinking of a clay/cleaner-polish/NXT routine for this new car. I like to keep it simple. Many thanks.

[fzr confused]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

M07?

[CieraSL]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

OK, I'm kind of confused by your question. Do you want a pure polish (no cleaning properties, no wax, just adds that extra pop to your paint) or a cleaner polish (aka a paint cleaner, mild to medium cleaning properties, no wax, can add a bit of that extra pop depending on the product). Few options:

Pure Polishes
M07 Show Car Glaze
Deep Crystal Polish

Cleaner Polishes
Swirl X
Ultimate Compound
Scratch X 2.0
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (which is being discontinued)

Please let us know which one you are looking for so we can help answer your question. Thanks!

[the_invisible]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

Seeing that you are accustomed to the Cleaner Wax, I believe you are looking for a cleaner + polish combination. As CieraSL mentioned, you have a lot of choices. Your options are not limited to one brand alone, but Meguiar's has a very extensive line of polisher/cleaner. With your choices of pads, you may find SwirlX both sufficient and satisfying for your needs. Like the Cleaner Wax, the SwirlX is easily obtainable at under $8.

[wwally]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

Yes, I'm thinking of a cleaner and polish. I am assuming that the Cleaner wax is a cleaner/polish/wax. So, instead of clay plus Cleaner Wax, I thought of using clay plus X-Product plus NXT. So I want the action of the Cleaner Wax without the wax. I am also not concerned about the cost of the materials. The new black car is a BMW 750i.

[the_invisible]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

The Cleaner Wax, being a consumer All-in-One product, has very light cleaning, polishing, and waxing agents. You will find that using a dedicated cleaner/polish and wax separately will yield a more astounding result. If you want a cleaner/polish that has similar strength to Cleaner Wax, head to your local auto parts stores and get the Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner while you still can. Otherwise, you can get the new SwirlX which is more aggressive yet work as delicately as the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

[rusty bumper]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

I agree with invisible's choice of Deep Crystal Cleaner, although I am not familiar with SwirlX at the moment.

Might I also recommend #80, or #82 in the pro line. Both have exceptional polishing / cleaning abilities. In fact, #80 can be used as a fill in protectant for fresh, uncured paint.

[akimel]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

Wally, have you considered using Cleaner Wax and NXT together? In other words, apply a coat of CW to clean the paint and provide an initial layer of protection and then top it with NXT. If you want a product with a little more cleaning power, then use ColorX and top it with NXT. The use of a cleaner wax (Cleaner Wax, ColorX, or M20) followed by NXT is a popular combination here on MOL:

Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen

The advantage of this process is that it eliminates a step: the three-step process (cleaner/polish followed by two coats of NXT) is reduced to two steps (cleaner wax followed by one coat of NXT).

Cheers,
Al

[Tuck91]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

SwirlX is the only cleaner/polish in the consumer line. In the Pro Line there is M80,M82,M83, and M205. Did I miss any?

[wwally]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

Thanks everyone for all the help. I had thought about using the cleaner with with the NXT over it and I've been doing that. I just thought there might be an adhesion problem (synthetic over wax), but that is pure speculation. I'll tell you one thing, this will be my last love affair with a black car. Back to silver or white or gray or just about anything other than black. This car is a black metallic and that doesn't seem quite as revealing of defects as a pure black car. This car is not a daily driver because I work at home and don't drive daily. It is garaged at home. But the slightest water drop, bird dropping, or just touching the paint leaves marks. I have also tried a dual water filtering system (particulate and then "softening") and even added the Mr. Clean filter on the nozzle (but I use the Gold Class soap, not the Mr. Clean soap) and this whole setup seems to do very little. It will still water spot on a warm or sunny day.

[mis3]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

Cleaner Polishes
Swirl X
Ultimate Compound
Scratch X 2.0
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (which is being discontinued)

I did not know that Ultimate Compound is a Cleaner/Polish. In Meguiar's website, it is listed under Auto Paint Cleaners, in the same category as DC Painter Cleaner.

So, I can do WASH - UC - Wax? How would someone apply UC, same as DC Paint Cleaner (apply and remove right away)?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Pure polish equivalent for "Cleaner Wax"

I did not know that Ultimate Compound is a Cleaner/Polish. In Meguiar's website, it is listed under Auto Paint Cleaners, in the same category as DC Painter Cleaner.

So, I can do WASH - UC - Wax? How would someone apply UC, same as DC Paint Cleaner (apply and remove right away)?

Ultimate Compound is considered a paint cleaner because for it to work it has to abrade away the surface of the paint, and consequently whatever else is on top of the paint.

You do not however want to use UC as you would any "paint cleaner" (such as DC Paint Cleaner, a very mild polish) because it is a fairly aggressive COMPOUND.

As far as technique, however, you would apply it with a similar technique as any other polish being worked by hand. You want to use some force and work it into the paint and wipe it away before it dries up.