True or False...Finishing Polish/Glaze Q.

[Bster13]

I was sorting out an order with a vendor and we started to talk about what a finishing glaze/polish really does for me. In my case Meguiar's #3:

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product_detail.asp?T1=MEG+MAC+16

He stated a product like Meguiar's #3 Machine Glaze is really more geared towards a show car or that one time you really need your car to "pop" as it won't last long.

Say my finish is flawless, looks nice, clean and clear. The gentleman on the phone stated if I then applied #3 to make it "pop," and sealant after that....after a wash or two, the sealant and polish would wear off as the polish does not bond well with the paint and with the sealant bonded to the polish, well it'd just fall/wash off with it.

He stated I'd be better off just applying the sealant on my nice, clean and clear finish 99% of the time for lasting protection, and only use the #3 and than sealant combo for a car show or if I were selling the car as the rich/deep look won't last long.

True or False? Thx.

[Bster13]

Re: True or False...Finishing Polish/Glaze Q.

*bump*

[Mary S]

Re: True or False...Finishing Polish/Glaze Q.

The glaze/"pure polish" as it is usually called by Meguiar's, like Deep Crystal Polish, M03, M05, M07, is part of the Meguiar's 5-step car care cycle, although it is considered an optional step, for purposes of bringing out the depth of finish especially in darker colored paints.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37320

And they recommend following with a wax or sealant.

So I find it unlikely that the lifetime of the wax or sealant would be compromised by the presence of the glaze/pure polish, or I would think this point would be made in Meguiar's descriptions of the 5-step cycle.

A glaze by itself would be short-lived without a wax or sealant over it.

So there might be glazes/pure polishes that have the characteristic you mention, but none in the Meguiars line that I have ever heard of.

[Slicked]

Re: True or False...Finishing Polish/Glaze Q.

Meguiars polishes, whether they are pure polishes like M03 or cleaner/polishes like M80, are designed to aid wax bonding. And they're not alone. Many brands have pre-wax cleansers that leave behind glazing oils to aid wax bonding. The most obvious and helpful example is Swissvax Cleaner Fluid.

But Meguiars is unique in the sense that their polishes work equally well with both their carnauba based waxes and their sealants. The person you are speaking to probably does not understand this and has given you some generic advice that would be correct 95% of the time, but wrong in respect of Meguiars products. Most times he would be right to say that a sealant will wash straight off an oily base, but Meguiars M21 or NXT Tech Wax sit comfortably over a Meguiars polish.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: True or False...Finishing Polish/Glaze Q.

We always state the the application of a pure polish is an optional step. There are a few reasons for this: lighter colors don't show as much of a gloss increase as dark colors do; modern clear coats often don't show as much of a gloss increase/darkening of color as single stage paints do; the application of pure polish is best done to an immaculately prepared surface.

When dealing with a daily driver much of this is considered overkill by the average consumer. There are trade offs and limitations here, especially when dealing with a light colored, clear coat vehicle. That said, if you find that using such a product benefits you and your car, that you don't mind the time it takes to apply this extra step, and you're looking to always maximize the potential of your paint finish, then by all means go for it.

When using Meguiar's waxes and sealants specifically, you shouldn't be overly concerned with bonding issues. We can't say the same should you choose to top a pure polish with a different brand of wax or sealant.

[Bster13]

Re: True or False...Finishing Polish/Glaze Q.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!