Which Megs line to choose?

[exploreco]

Just purchased a new black car and looking for advice on what product to use. I currently use NXT and QD in between on my white and the previous tan car and that seemed to work for me. Usually wax once or twice a year. Late spring and late fall right before winter. Now with having a black car i want to make sure I am using the best wax I can to make the car shine. I saw the Megs has a wax for Black cars. Is it any good as far as longevity or would keeping with something like the NXT or would getting the Ultimate be a better fit? I would like for something that will last as long as what the NXT. Is the Ultimate line supposed to be better? I am also thinking that because I have black a polish will be good to do in addition to the wax. Learning lots of good things and making corrections and improvements to my current pattern. Any advice is welcome. Thanks

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

I'd be real selective in what you buy; enthusiasm often results in shelves full of products used once or twice. Personal experience speaking here.

Depending on what shape the paint is in, because even a new car may need a correction, the usual method is to clay, polish, then seal or wax or both. Sealant usually lasts longer than carnuba.

[The Guz]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

I am not sure which version of NXT you have, but NXT 2.0 is the latest edition that is on the market. It is a very good sealant (synthetic wax). It was the longest lasting until ultimate wax came along. As you are aware a synthetic wax lasts longer than a carnauba based wax. Black wax and white wax are carnauba bassd wax. White wax offers more cleaning ability and black wax offers more polishing ability.

Durability depends on the surrounding environment. Typically a synthetic can last somewhere around 4-6 months and a carnauba around 1-3 months.

For a daily driver I like to use a synthetic wax such as NXT 2.0 or ultimate wax. You also have the option of topping, meaning you could apply a coat of carnauba on top of the synthetic to give you the warm look that a synthetic does not offer. If you do decide to apply a carnuaba on top of a synthetic it is recommended to wait 12-24 hours so that the synthetic can cure and bod to the paint.

You are right that dark colored cars like a polish to give it that glossy look. The ultimate line up is as close as you are going to get to the professional line (compound, polish, spray wax). Ultimate polish is a great product. Ultimate wax does darken the paint.

Another great polish is M205 which is from the professional line. Autozone carries it as does pep boys. It offers more correction than ultimate polish and is very versatile.

If you are looking for a quick detail that would look good you could go with
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Cleaner wax (black wax/white wax/colorx)
4. NXT or ultimate wax

If you are looking for a more complete detail you could go with
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Ultimate compound (May not be needed. You have to determine if the paint is swirl and defect free)
4. Ultimate polish or M205
5. NXT or Ultimate Wax
6. Maintenance - ultimate quik detailer and ultimate quik wax. They are used to boost the wax you have applied. Actually any spray wax will do that but ultimate quik wax is longer lasting and very durable.

On my daily driver I use ultimate quik detailer (pro version) after every wash. Once a month I will substitute ultimate quik wax (pro version).

Will you be doing this by hand or machine?

[exploreco]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

I am not sure which version of NXT you have, but NXT 2.0 is the latest edition that is on the market. It is a very good sealant (synthetic wax). It was the longest lasting until ultimate wax came along. As you are aware a synthetic wax lasts longer than a carnauba based wax. Black wax and white wax are carnauba bassd wax. White wax offers more cleaning ability and black wax offers more polishing ability.

Durability depends on the surrounding environment. Typically a synthetic can last somewhere around 4-6 months and a carnauba around 1-3 months.

For a daily driver I like to use a synthetic wax such as NXT 2.0 or ultimate wax. You also have the option of topping, meaning you could apply a coat of carnauba on top of the synthetic to give you the warm look that a synthetic does not offer. If you do decide to apply a carnuaba on top of a synthetic it is recommended to wait 12-24 hours so that the synthetic can cure and bod to the paint.

You are right that dark colored cars like a polish to give it that glossy look. The ultimate line up is as close as you are going to get to the professional line (compound, polish, spray wax). Ultimate polish is a great product. Ultimate wax does darken the paint.

Another great polish is M205 which is from the professional line. Autozone carries it as does pep boys. It offers more correction than ultimate polish and is very versatile.

If you are looking for a quick detail that would look good you could go with
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Cleaner wax (black wax/white wax/colorx)
4. NXT or ultimate wax

If you are looking for a more complete detail you could go with
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Ultimate compound (May not be needed. You have to determine if the paint is swirl and defect free)
4. Ultimate polish or M205
5. NXT or Ultimate Wax
6. Maintenance - ultimate quick detailer and ultimate quick wax. They are used to boost the wax you have applied. Actually any spray wax will do that but ultimate quick wax is longer lasting and very durable.

On my daily driver I use ultimate quick detailer (pro version) after every wash. Once a month I will substitute ultimate quick wax (pro version).

Will you be doing this by hand or machine?

Thanks for the reply. The one I am using now is the 2.0. I think I may get some of the Ultimate line just to try something different.

The paint condition doesn't look too bad. The car was just manufactured in March and we got it in April so it hasn't had alot of time to sit around alot. I have done the hand test and everything feels smooth so i think I can maybe get by without doing a clay treatment this go around (my Pilot is another story). I do think I will do the polish just because the paint has a blue metallic flake in it that really pops in the sun so I want to just bring that out. I will either use the Ultimate or take a look at the M205 you suggested. I have seen that at Autozone before but didn't know anything about it and thought it was over kill on my older tan car.

My goal isn't to be applying product every month or two but a couple of times a year and doing a quick detail/wax in between. It is garaged at night and I don't think we get the harshest of air conditions were we live like a big city gets.

I am making corrections to my wash patterns too as I just did a simply one bucket wash and now I am going to utilize the two bucket method. Makes sense. And get some different mitts and brushes for the wheels.

I have always waxed by hand as I thought that was the best way but after looking on here I am realizing that maybe isn't the best way. I am looking at getting a Porter Cable polisher or one like that. That seems to be the most reasonable cost. I saw them over at autogeek and watched how they were using them. Seems pretty straight forward and easy when you get your technique down. I do have a high speed buffer and an orbital buffer that I had from years ago but I don't really use them any more. Especially not on this car.

I am also looking at thread on steam cleaning too. Carpets and such. I don't usually let the interior get too bad and keep it vacuumed and then usually hit it with some Simple Green and a brush and that has always worked well but I see alot of guys on the forums use steams for cleaning everything.

Thanks for you help!

[exploreco]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

I'd be real selective in what you buy; enthusiasm often results in shelves full of products used once or twice. Personal experience speaking here.

Depending on what shape the paint is in, because even a new car may need a correction, the usual method is to clay, polish, then seal or wax or both. Sealant usually lasts longer than carnuba.

Thanks! I am wanting to try some different product so I may have that happen. I have done that before. Bought something and didn't like it and put a whole bottle of something on the garage sale for a $1.

[sunday joe]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

If you have a clay bar, you should use it. It doesn't take long to do and the result is worth while. It will be super smoothe after claying.

[The Guz]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

Thanks for the reply. The one I am using now is the 2.0. I think I may get some of the Ultimate line just to try something different.

The paint condition doesn't look too bad. The car was just manufactured in March and we got it in April so it hasn't had alot of time to sit around alot. I have done the hand test and everything feels smooth so i think I can maybe get by without doing a clay treatment this go around (my Pilot is another story). I do think I will do the polish just because the paint has a blue metallic flake in it that really pops in the sun so I want to just bring that out. I will either use the Ultimate or take a look at the M205 you suggested. I have seen that at Autozone before but didn't know anything about it and thought it was over kill on my older tan car.

My goal isn't to be applying product every month or two but a couple of times a year and doing a quick detail/wax in between. It is garaged at night and I don't think we get the harshest of air conditions were we live like a big city gets.

I am making corrections to my wash patterns too as I just did a simply one bucket wash and now I am going to utilize the two bucket method. Makes sense. And get some different mitts and brushes for the wheels.

I have always waxed by hand as I thought that was the best way but after looking on here I am realizing that maybe isn't the best way. I am looking at getting a Porter Cable polisher or one like that. That seems to be the most reasonable cost. I saw them over at autogeek and watched how they were using them. Seems pretty straight forward and easy when you get your technique down. I do have a high speed buffer and an orbital buffer that I had from years ago but I don't really use them any more. Especially not on this car.

I am also looking at thread on steam cleaning too. Carpets and such. I don't usually let the interior get too bad and keep it vacuumed and then usually hit it with some Simple Green and a brush and that has always worked well but I see alot of guys on the forums use steams for cleaning everything.

Thanks for you help!

A 2 bucket wash with grit guards is the way to go. Also get some nice microfiber towels (ie meguiar's supreme shine) and also some nice waffle weave drying towels. Don't forget a nice wash mit. I like the mwguiar's wash mit. Works very well.

The best way to determine if you need to clay is the baggie test. Search on that so you get the idea on how to do it and what to look for. If it's smooth you are good to go. M205 is a great polish. It can remove light to moderate swirls especially with a DA. By hand it works well. Ultimate polish is derived from M205 so it does have some good amount of correction. The difference being that M205 offers more correction ability and ultimate polish having more polishing oils.

A DA polisher will net you the best correction than by hand. Waxing by hand is still fine.

It doesn't hurt to try anything new. You can't go wrong with either NXT or UW. The other nice thing about ultimate liquid wax is that it doesn't stain trim. You will like the ultimate line up of spray detailers (quik detailer and quik wax).

For the interior as long as you keep it nice and vacuumed you will be fine. Same goes for the plastic and rubber on the trim. Keep it clean and you won't need steam. Some nice interior products are quik interior detailer which does not alter the appearance of the interior. It is a light cleaner that leaves some UV protection behind.

The other interior protectants are nice (natural shine, supreme shine ultimate protectant). I use them on the interior plastic and rubber. If you like the OEM appearance then natural shine will be what you want. It will darken the interior a little. These offer UV protection. Ultimate protectant last the longest. It darkens the interior and it offers some gloss as well as UV protection. I like to use quik interior detailer to take advantage of the light cleaner in it and follow up with ultimate protectant. My interior is clean and I only use APC on the interior if it is heavily soiled.

For leather I like the leather sealer system.

It's a lot of information but I hope it helps you out.

[Murr1525]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

Just to note, there is no reason to just think about using 'one line'.. you will likely do best picking and choosing what works best for you from all the lines. Of course that can be a bit confusing, but we're here to help with that.

Its very easy to have something like:

1. Gold Class Soap
2. Consumer line clay
3. #205
4. Ult. Wax

And you've just covered 4 'lines' of products right there.

[ffboy]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

Ultimate Wax is currently the best (or most durable) wax/sealant from megs. There are many options depending on what you are after. For reasonably quick detailing, I would car wash, clay, cleaner wax (colorX, black or even white wax) then ultimate wax.

[exploreco]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

Thanks everyone for your replies. You have all given me lots of good advice that I can start to implement and practice with. Looking forward to getting a DA polisher to simplify the process but until then I will be continue to wax by hand.

[The Guz]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

Post pics of your car we will help you out in nailing down even more. Also post pics when you get this done.

[The Guz]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

Here's a good kit for a good price. Comes with everything you need.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-Ultimate-Results-Bundle/29670206

[Jarhead0754]

Guz is dead on. For the price and what u get its a great deal. Over $100 worth of product for half the price. And u get everything u need minus a clay bar kit. But I second this is what u should get and you will be extremely happy with.

[exploreco]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

Here's a good kit for a good price. Comes with everything you need.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-...undle/29670206

Awesome. Thanks for that link. That looks perfect and a great deal. Don't know that I will use everything in it but almost all of it. Wonder if they sell it in store or if it is an online order only. I will have to check it out next time I go to Wal Mart.

[exploreco]

Re: Which Megs line to choose?

Here are a few of the car itself. This is a close up of the paint just to show the coloring of the metallic but i don't have anything else close up.









Pic of my Pilot


Really appreciate the help. Not a total newbie to car cleaning but using this as an opportunity to get much better.