Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

[Pottsy215]

Before starting this thread, I did a forum search for any thread that contained the words "cleaner, wax and swirls". I read every post I could find, but still haven't really found any mention of how well the basic Cleaner Wax removes swirls. I have heard Cleaner Wax mentioned in the same conversation as Swirls, but someone always goes off to say that SwirlX, ColorX, ScratchX, or UC should be used.

Here is where I am coming from... I just bought a brand new Black VW Tiguan and after looking into how to detail a car (many thanks to all the info on this site) I came to learn what Swirl marks are. Once I learned, I checked my vehicle, and sure enough the car is covered in DISO/swirls. Now I want to fix them...

I bought the Meguairs Complete Car Care kit off of Amazon to get me going in the right direction, but the only thing that came with for Swirls was ScratchX.

The Cleaner Wax says on the bottle that it can help remove swirls, but reading through the threads on this site, I don't really see anyone ever saying they had good results with Swirls from the Cleaner Wax. I just picked up a bottle today, and am planning on possibly using this weekend, but I am hesitant mainly because I don't want to waste my time.

My plan is as such:
1 - Wash
2 - Clay
3 - Cleaner/Wax
4 - Wax again with Gold Class Caranuba

I wanted to use the Cleaner Wax instead of a dedicated switl product because I liked the idea of removing swirls, polishing and adding a base coat of wax in one step. As opposed to ColorX for instance, which I would then need to apply two coats of wax following the swirls removal.

Anyway, what I am really looking for is if anyone has actually seen swirls reduced using the Cleaner Wax? I am new to identifying swirls, so it's hard for me to say how bad they are, but I don't think they are too bad. And f they really aren't that bad I want to start as mild as I can since it's a brand new car/paint job. I will try and take a picture when i get a chance.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

[Murr1525]

Re: Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

Before starting this thread, I did a forum search for any thread that contained the words "cleaner, wax and swirls". I read every post I could find, but still haven't really found any mention of how well the basic Cleaner Wax removes swirls. I have heard Cleaner Wax mentioned in the same conversation as Swirls, but someone always goes off to say that SwirlX, ColorX, ScratchX, or UC should be used.

The basic Consumer Line Cleaner/Wax in the red bottle isnt going to do much for swirls.

I bought the Meguairs Complete Car Care kit off of Amazon to get me going in the right direction, but the only thing that came with for Swirls was ScratchX.

Have a link? Might not really want the ScratchX either... esp if they are still selling the original version.

The Cleaner Wax says on the bottle that it can help remove swirls, but reading through the threads on this site, I don't really see anyone ever saying they had good results with Swirls from the Cleaner Wax. I just picked up a bottle today, and am planning on possibly using this weekend, but I am hesitant mainly because I don't want to waste my time.

Yeah... dont waste your time. Working by hand?

My plan is as such:
1 - Wash
2 - Clay
3 - Cleaner/Wax
4 - Wax again with Gold Class Caranuba

That will work for a good general detail in the future.

I wanted to use the Cleaner Wax instead of a dedicated switl product because I liked the idea of removing swirls, polishing and adding a base coat of wax in one step. As opposed to ColorX for instance, which I would then need to apply two coats of wax following the swirls removal.

Removing swirls by hand will take a fair bit more effort than that. For a whole car, you could try SwirlX, but I would almost plan on wanting to use Ultimate Compound.

Anyway, what I am really looking for is if anyone has actually seen swirls reduced using the Cleaner Wax? I am new to identifying swirls, so it's hard for me to say how bad they are, but I don't think they are too bad. And f they really aren't that bad I want to start as mild as I can since it's a brand new car/paint job. I will try and take a picture when i get a chance.

Same as above, SwirlX would be a starting point. You can try the ScratchX that came in your kit, and if it is the 2.0, could be worth a shot. And then UC.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

Colorx actually is a strong cleaner/wax capable of light swirl and haze removal. The maroon bottle cleaner/wax is good for hiding for swirls but it has very little swirl removal capability.

I would highly recommend using Swirlx or Ultimate Compound for swirl removal as they are designed for that purpose.

However, if you are intent on using a cleaner/wax then I would use Colorx applied with a foam applicator and a little pressure while working it in. You would want to work the product into a thin film since it is still a wax and applied thick, it will be difficult to remove.

[therdrman]

Re: Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

i use cleaner wax for cars that dont really need expensive wax on it. thats basically what it is used for. but if you have the thought of mind that it cleans the paint which it must do. at least it puts you at ease!

[greg0303]

Re: Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

A12 Cleaner Wax is the only cleaner wax using chemical cleaners. All other cleaner waxes use abrasives.

The level of successful swirl removal will depend on hardness of your car paint. In some cases ColorX can finish great and on some paint systems stronger treatment with cleaner polish, like SwirlX, may be needed.

And for heavy swirls even Ultimate Compound may be necessary.

Do a test spot(s) with product(s) which you have and see if you're happy with the results. Work on small area with heavy pressure.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

A12 Cleaner/Wax does contain a small amount of diminishing abrasives. Not anything enough to remove swirling but maybe just take the edge off of the lighter ones making them harder to see.

[davey g-force]

Re: Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

It's unlikely that Cleaner Wax will entirely remove all your swirls. Try in the following order:
-Cleaner Wax
-SwirlX
-ScratchX
-Ultimate Compound

The only way to eliminate the guess work is to do a test spot with each of the above until you find one which one will remove your swirls on your paint. It really depends on the severity of the swirls and the hardness of your paint.

[Pottsy215]

Re: Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

Wow - Thanks everyone for the helpful and thoughtful replies. This site really does rock.

Here is the link for the kit I bought - I thought it was a pretty good deal for $40. It looks like the pic shows it coming with Scratch X original, but it actually came with ScratchX 2.0.

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Complete-Car-Care-Kit/dp/B0012ZEZ8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1298471899&sr=8-1

I really appreciate the advice. Time permitting, I am hoping to get work on her this weekend. I'll try and get before and after pics. I'll start witht he cleaner wax in a small test area, and then see if any swirling is improved. If not, I'll try the Scratch X2.0 since I have it. Is it okay to do an entire car with ScratchX 2.0 if I find that it is working well? I've already dropped about $75 bucks in detailing supplies and I haven't even made my first payment yet... Between the $40 kit, a water magnet towel, some microfibers towels, and wheel brush, two buckets and now the cleaner wax I just bought...I am hesitant to go run out buy a $10 bottle of SwirlX on top of it....

Thanks again.

[davey g-force]

Re: Meguairs Cleaner Wax - Swirl Removing Abilities

No problems - just try your ScratchX and if that works well, use it on the rest of the car.

If not, you may have to go out and buy Ultimate Compound.