Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

[dric_dolphin]

Hi all! I've been following this forum from afar for some time and I'm enjoying all the feedback I've seen here. However, being new to detailing, I have some noob questions that I just could not find on this forum (albeit I did search it on the search bar and on Google). So, my first question is: can I use the trio UC + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax, or it's mandatory to use UC + Ultimate Polish + Ultimate Wax?

I do realize the latter is the best option (for hand detailing), but my first product from Meguiar's was the Cleaner Wax (which by the way is a great product, and I really loved it) and it's not very easy (or cheap) to buy Meguiar's stuff in Brazil, and since I have the Cleaner Wax and I would like to use it on my car (also, I don't have the Ultimate Polish).

Also, another question - what's the best applicator for the UC? Soft foam pads (X3070), Foam pads (W0004), Microfiber pads (X3080)? Can I use a 3M Polishing Paper (I could not find the specific item on 3M USA's website, but it would be similar to the 3M Polishing Film 951M) with UC, or it would not be advisable?

Thanks!

[The Guz]

Re: Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

Hi all! I've been following this forum from afar for some time and I'm enjoying all the feedback I've seen here. However, being new to detailing, I have some noob questions that I just could not find on this forum (albeit I did search it on the search bar and on Google). So, my first question is: can I use the trio UC + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax, or it's mandatory to use UC + Ultimate Polish + Ultimate Wax?

I do realize the latter is the best option (for hand detailing), but my first product from Meguiar's was the Cleaner Wax (which by the way is a great product, and I really loved it) and it's not very easy (or cheap) to buy Meguiar's stuff in Brazil, and since I have the Cleaner Wax and I would like to use it on my car (also, I don't have the Ultimate Polish).

Either method will work. Ultimate polish is not really necessary. You will get good results with the method you asked about. Just be sure to clay prior to using UC if the car has not been clayed in some time.

Also just for your information a cleaner wax is an all in one product meaning it cleans, polishes and protects. A good thing to use for quick details. Products dedicated for a specific purpose will give better results. With the proper technique and proper use of a product one can get amazing results.

Also, another question - what's the best applicator for the UC? Soft foam pads (X3070), Foam pads (W0004), Microfiber pads (X3080)? Can I use a 3M Polishing Paper (I could not find the specific item on 3M USA's website, but it would be similar to the 3M Polishing Film 951M) with UC, or it would not be advisable?
Thanks!

The foam pads are the same thing. The only difference is that one comes in a pack of 2 and the other a pack of 4. I would pick up a pack of 4. If you want to give UC a little more bite for those deeper scratches that foam can't get out then microfiber would be what you want. You will be fine with just foam pads. With any wax foam applicator would be good.

About the polishing paper are you planing to wetsand? I would recommend you compound and/or polish first prior to any type of wetsanding.

[dric_dolphin]

Re: Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

Thanks for your reply, Guz!

About the Cleaner Wax, I understand it's an all-in-one product, and it was for this reason I bought it. It was actually my first Meguiar's product, and it gave great results on my Black Chevrolet Onix. However, last week was my birthday, so I decided to buy some more stuff. So I bought the Ultimate Wax, and I was planning on using Cleaner Wax once per month and Ultimate Wax once every 2 months, to keep my car looking good. However, upon checking my car's swirl condition (I sent my car to a car wash... bad idea...), I've decided to buy a "repair" item. I was inclined to buy SwirlX or ScratchX 2.0, but reading the forum and checking my car condition, I decided to buy the Ultimate Compound. I've read that the UC is best used together with Ultimate Polish, so I was unsure if I could use my Cleaner Wax instead...

Regarding wetsanding, no, I'm not planning on that. My car only has some light swirls, and besides I have no skill at all on wetsanding. This 3M Polishing Paper is a sort of microfiber applicator that 3M advertises to be used with their waxes (by the way, 3M is Meguiar's representative in Brazil). I am unsure if it will be too harsh if used with UC, but I think it's worth a try.

Again, thank you for you reply!

[Murr1525]

Re: Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

I like to do

- Wash
- Clay if needed
- Cleaner/Wax
- Ult Wax

when a mild and quick detail is wanted. Then you would use a spray wax like Ult. Quick Wax after future washes, or while drying, and that should get you 2-3 months at least. You could also do:

-Wash
-Clay if needed
- Ult. Polish
- Ult. Wax - 2 coats of wax can be best

Those would both be mild details.

If you needed to remove defects, you would just insert the stronger products for that detail, so something like:

- Wash
- Clay if needed
- UC
-UP if wanted
- Wax - 2 thin coats can be best

Then Ult. Quick Wax after future washes as noted above. And then when you feel like detailing again, if there is no defects, then you would stay mild as above.

[The Guz]

Re: Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

^^^ Good stuff right here.

If you apply ultimate wax over the cleaner wax, then you won't have to wax that often. Ultimate wax can last somewhere between 4-6 months with proper maintenance using a quick wax. You should be able to get close to that kind if durability even if it is applied over the cleaner wax. Hard to really say but Murr's 2-3 months sounds about right. If you wax every month with the cleaner wax then you are removing the layer of protection that ultimate wax has to offer. That can be a waste of product. This is where your spray wax comes into the mix as Murr has stated.

[dric_dolphin]

Re: Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

Thank you guys! I was planning on using the Cleaner Wax 1/month, but as you said, that would be a bad idea since it would remove my Ultimate Wax, so I'm now planning on buying the Ult. Quick Wax to keep my car shiny on my weekly car washing, and then apply the Cleaner Wax + UC once every 2 or 3 months.

Now, one more quick question - which method will remove more swirls (or will remove them more easily): UC + Foam Pad or UC + Microfiber Pad?

Thank you all for your inputs, they're greatly appreciated!

[Jarhead0754]

U prob won't have to use uc every 2 months. Unless ur going thru those car washes. If u do go thru one use a touch less wash.
As far as the pads they both will remove defects but the mf pad will def remove them faster. However not all defects require a mf pad. If u do go to use the mf try it with the d300, d301, d302. They were built specifically as a system and work well together or so I'm told as I myself never used one.

[dric_dolphin]

Re: Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

Thanks for the reply! However, I said it wrong... I know that UC should be used only when I have defects (and I hope I won't have them so soon after removing my current swirls). What I meant was Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax every 2-3 months.

Also, thanks for the MF vs Foam tip. I will give it a try. It's my first use of a compound, and it's going to be by hand, so I'm a little worried that I might damage my clear coat...

[The Guz]

Re: Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

The best way to remove defects is with a DA polisher. It will always give better results then by hand. If doing this by hand you will more than likely remove light swirls and scratches. As long as you follow the directions on the bottle then you will be good to go.

[Murr1525]

Re: Ultimate Compound + Cleaner Wax + Ultimate Wax - is that an option?

Not sure you'll see much difference in the pads just by hand....but in theory the foam would be milder.