Polish Question

[Apples555]

Long time lurker here. Great site!

I'm a little confused about the Meguiar's product lines.

I don't have a 'vette, but my Toyota's paint is in reasonably good condition after 19 years. No swirls, marks, rust or anything like that, clear coat is shiny and reflective. No imperfections.

For this reason, I shouldn't use anything abrasive right? My purpose is to protect the paint to keep it like it is longer.

I've been using Ultimate Polish and GC Wax for these purposes. I've recently discovered on these forums that Ultimate Polish and GC Wax both have abrasives/cleaning materials in them.

Does Meguiar's make old fashioned waxes and polishes without any abrasive like additives? Research leads me to M26 and M07. I'm simply looking for the best quality wax and polish for paint that is like it was new (for now).

From what I understand, basic wax is a paint protectant and polish simply makes the car shinier. I'm essentially looking for whatever products/procedure were used to make these cars look like this at the auto show.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Polish Question

With all due respect, we have an extremely hard time imagining that your 19 year old car has no swirls at all in the paint. Also, we have yet to see a car on display at an auto show that has no swirls in it - even the most expensive production cars or the most elaborate concept vehicles have swirls ranging from quite noticeable to flat out horrific. That includes one specific European concept car that was being lavished over by a guy in a white lab coat gently stroking it with an ostrich feather duster that, upon closer inspection just under the lights in the auditorium, showed pretty horrific swirls.

Don't be afraid to use something with a bit of abrasive in it, including something like Ultimate Compound, to work on the paint and take it to it's maximum level of gloss and clarity. The abrasives in Ultimate Polish are extremely mild and, especially when applied by hand, can be used monthly without fear of compromising the integrity of the clear coat. As for Gold Class Wax, it's not a cleaner wax and so has nothing in it that could really be classed as "abrasive". The same goes for NXT Tech Wax although we see it erroneously referred to as a light cleaner wax all over the interwebs. It's not. End of discussion.

That said, if you are indeed in search of polishes and waxes with zero cleaning ability, then M07 and M26 definitely fit the bill. But so does NXT Tech Wax, Gold Class, Ultimate Wax, Deep Crystal Carnauba and M21. The synthetics among these (NXT, Ultimate and M21) will provide the longest lasting protection.

[The Guz]

Re: Polish Question

I'm with Mike on this one. I highly doubt the paint is swirl free especially for a 19 year old car. Take it outside in the sun and check out the paint. All the info you need has been posted up above.

[szladob]

I guess color may be the culprit - ie if it is e.g silver/light gold, swirls can be hard to see, as the sun blinds you pretty much. Night time under the parking lot light or gas station light will reveal it all...

[Apples555]

Re: Polish Question

I guess color may be the culprit - ie if it is e.g silver/light gold, swirls can be hard to see, as the sun blinds you pretty much. Night time under the parking lot light or gas station light will reveal it all...

Indeed, pebble beige actually.

With all due respect, we have an extremely hard time imagining that your 19 year old car has no swirls at all in the paint. Also, we have yet to see a car on display at an auto show that has no swirls in it - even the most expensive production cars or the most elaborate concept vehicles have swirls ranging from quite noticeable to flat out horrific. That includes one specific European concept car that was being lavished over by a guy in a white lab coat gently stroking it with an ostrich feather duster that, upon closer inspection just under the lights in the auditorium, showed pretty horrific swirls.

Maybe I'm confused about what swirls are? Here are a few pictures after waxing. Maybe the paint is a little dull admittedly, I have touched up stone imperfections on the hood as well, there's not much I can do about those unfortunately.





I didn't mean to say the finish was perfect, some of the cars on these forums are above and beyond certainly. If I can do something else to bring the finish up to those standards, please let me know. I just don't see swirls.

My newer car does have swirls from the lot. I don't know how they managed to do that.

All of you answered my initial question though. Thank you.