#16 vs. #26

[MazdaBob]

I've used both #16 and #26 in the past, but never really understood the difference between them. I usually use #7 followed by #16 on my Miata. Once a year I use Medallion Paint Cleaner before the polish and wax. I've had excellent results with this system, but am curious if people prefer #16 or #26. #16 reminds me of Zymol and I'm guessing it contains fewer synthetic materials than #26. I'm looking forward to trying NXT on my PR5 as soon as I can find it.

[Rockpick]

I think that the primary difference in the two products is that the #16 is a blend of waxes (I'm not sure of the specific types) and the #26 is pure yellow carnauba.... in short, not a blend.

RP

[rjstaaf]

Actually #16 is all carnauba and mostly if not totally white carnauba so it leaves a clear reflective look on your paint. #26 is a blend of polymers and yellow wax which tends to darken the paint and it leaves a warm glow. They are both great products, just depends on the look you are going for.

I happen to like the way #26 makes the Laser Red paint look on my Mustang. I just ordered a tin of #16 though and plan to give it a try if the weather cooperates this weekend.

Meguiars #7,#26

[Aurora40]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey,

rjstaaf is correct. Meguiar's #16 is a blend of exotic waxes. But #26 is a blend of waxes plus polymers. The difference in shine is more subjective, but I have found #16 to be more reflective whereas #26 tends to add more depth and warmth to the paint.

Tim

I think that's just the marketing tag for them. One is "exotic waxes" and the other "waxes and polymers". I'd guess that they both contain exotic waxes (like carnauba) and are blended with other things, some of which could be qualified as polymers. But they are both natural wax products. IMO, you wouldn't get any kind of polymer bonding from #26.

IMO, #16 seems like a harder product, while #26 is a softer product. #26 is warmer and has more depth and soft reflections (all IMO), while #16 has a very high shine while still having good carnauba gloss and depth. #16 feels like a harder, denser product when you apply it too, though both go on and off very easily. I also find that #16 beads better and lasts a lot longer than #26.

IMO, stick with the #16 unless you are switching for a different look. IMO, #16 does everything else better than #26 (beading, lasting, slickness, etc). This is all just my opinion, though.

[1 Clean WS6]

I've tried #16 and #26 (liquid version) on the silver paint on my WS6 and both applied and removed about the same. IMHO the #16 left the paint with a very clear if not hard looking reflection...super shiny. The #26 left the paint with a creamy tone to it...almost like the reflections had been put on a dimmer switch, however, it still had a very deep gloss. IMO I think the #26 struts its stuff on darker colors while the #16 gives lighter colors more of a "pop".

[Mosca]

I like them both. They look different, but within the general "Meguiar's Look"; handsome and clean, regal, with a nice balance of depth, reflectivity, gloss, and jetting, rather than shiny and brassy.

IMO, a lot of people mistake "looking shiny" for "looking good". It's like mistaking loudness for sound quality.

One thing about #16. I did one coat of #16, and drove around for a week and a half in the salt and dust of a NE winter (maybe a record for me, no wash or wax for 10 days). Last night, before QEWing my Miata, I took it to the quarter wash and used the pressure wand; all the dirt and salt pretty much blew right off, with only water. The only places the QEW was necessary was along the bottom of the rockers and rear bumper.

I'd have to pick #26 for my own car, but it's not such a strong preference that I won't grab the #16 every now and then, or NXT of GC or Step 3 or even A1216 Cleaner Wax. Or #20. Or Medallion. Or #6. As a matter of fact, I have yet to find a Meguiar's wax I DON'T like. And each one looks different, but within the same "Meguiar's Look", clean and handsome, and regal, with lots of BALANCE.


Tom

[Scottwax]

I prefer #16 because it is not only more reflective looking, but also noticably 'wetter' looking and more durable. However, on red paint, #26 is hard to beat because of the incredible glow it gives to that color.

[MBZ 500E]

Originally posted by Mosca
IMO, a lot of people mistake "looking shiny" for "looking good". It's like mistaking loudness for sound quality.
Tom

Tom you really hit the nail on the head with this comment. Being a former IASCA judge and now a detailing nut I can relate the two very well.

[MazdaBob]

Thanks!

Thanks for all the excellent info! I'm going to stick with #7 and #16 for my silver '91 Miata. I like the more reflective look for silver. I've gone to NXT for my yellow '03 Protege 5. I'm thinking of trying #5 as a polish before the NXT on the Protege 5.