Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

[Dellinger]

I just picked up a D/A to 3-step my Dodge Ram but time and the weather hasn't been cooperating here in the Pacific N.W. (Not unusual for this time of year, lol. I was just a bit 'trigger happy' to use the D/A since I've only had experience with a rotary.)

Anyway, that round sphere in the sky did come out yesterday so I thought I would get a 'feel' for the D/A on my truck before I took on the daunting task of fully correcting my wife's '02 Honda Accord, black. I'm certain my Dodge has 'hard' paint as compared to the usual Honda softness, especially black.

So, I have quite a few bottles of M's retail Cleaner Wax that used to come with the clay bar pack. So it would give me a little bite to clean and some wax.

And on to it... (side note- not sure my images are 'large' enough but I did the thumbnail software download and followed the instructions... if they are little can someone link me to or explain how to make the size larger? Again, followed Mike's post but they seem small... oh well.)

Pre-wash...




Process:

1.) Wash (Wheels, tires, wheel wells first) using two-bucket method

2.) Clay

3.) 2nd wash to remove any quick detailer left behind, two-bucket method

4.) Original Cleaner wax applied by D/A on a black finishing pad set to speed 3 using light pressure and fairly quick arm speed. I did 2 section passes on most areas, 3 on some RDS and heavy water spots. I didn't notice any more 'correction' with more pressure, nor did I expect it. Was just experimenting to see what the cleaner wax would do since I usually applied via hand. I was also trying to 'practice' for compounding and polishing, so if I was just applying a non-abrasive wax I would have reached for a red pad and just made extra sure I was overlapping coverage with little detail paid to section passes.

And to the results!


Half-way done here, only passenger side is completed...


Another shot, half-way done...


Done.


Thoughts:

Really impressed by the cleaner wax. It did remove some of the water spotting and knock down some of the RDSs to minimize their appearance. The retail line Cleaner Wax is a solid choice. I used maybe 1.5 ounces of wax on the entire vehicle and that was going back over the hood with a second coat. For $8 or something, the larger bottle could last me 1-2 years. What a great product! I've used it off-and-on for the past 10 years (alternate with NXT) on this truck but with a D/A, it's that much better!

Also, I heavily recommend using cleaner wax to anyone picking up a D/A for the first time. It's a very forgiving "practice" session before going full tilt with a compound or a light cutting polish. Just remember, Cleaner Wax does NOT play well with black trim... thus I taped to be sure.



Oops! Forgot to add in the Wheel Brightener!

-Dellinger

[davey g-force]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

Well done, the truck looks great!

Cleaner Wax is a great product and a bit under-rated IMO.

[ffboy]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

Nice job, great results for a "cheap, entry level" wax. Just goes to show that a car wax (cleaner wax or pure), regardless of how old its formulation is when formulated correct, will give fantastic results. May no longer be the best, but definitely a solid and versatile product, your truck is a very good example of this.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

Ah yes, good ol' Cleaner Wax! Here's a bit of trivia everyone: Most of you probably know that Meguiar's was started in 1901 as a furniture polish company, and we soon transitioned into automotive finish care products. But we ONLY worked on the pro side of the business at first 0 with the OEMs, body shops, etc and didn't introduce a consumer product until 1973. And that product was........ is........ A12 Cleaner Wax. Virtually unchanged since 1973, it's still one of the best selling waxes in the country simply because it does what we say it will do.

Now, as for Dellinger's experiences with it on this RAM - fantastic! But think about this; you said you used it with a black finishing pad at speed 3. Imagine the extra cut you could have gotten with a slightly more aggressive pad, a bit more tool speed, a bit slower arm speed, or a combination of the three. A yellow polishing pad, speed 4, a bit slower movements and a little more pressure and you would have seen even more correction and, on this paint at least, almost zero chance of creating any micro marring by doing so. It might be different on your Honda, or it might not. But you'll know that when you get to that car.

Was just experimenting to see what the cleaner wax would do since I usually applied via hand. I was also trying to 'practice' for compounding and polishing, so if I was just applying a non-abrasive wax I would have reached for a red pad and just made extra sure I was overlapping coverage with little detail paid to section passes.

Can we assume here that you're talking about another brand's red pad and not our burgundy W7207 foam cutting pad? That pad would be a very bad choice for the process you mentioned, but a red Lake Country Hydro pad would be perfectly suited to it. We just want folks to be clear on that as pad color is not a universal indicator of cutting ability, recommended use, etc.

Again, though, the truck looks fantastic and we especially love the reflections in this shot:

[Dellinger]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

Now, as for Dellinger's experiences with it on this RAM - fantastic! But think about this; you said you used it with a black finishing pad at speed 3. Imagine the extra cut you could have gotten with a slightly more aggressive pad, a bit more tool speed, a bit slower arm speed, or a combination of the three. A yellow polishing pad, speed 4, a bit slower movements and a little more pressure and you would have seen even more correction and, on this paint at least, almost zero chance of creating any micro marring by doing so. It might be different on your Honda, or it might not. But you'll know that when you get to that car.


Can we assume here that you're talking about another brand's red pad and not our burgundy W7207 foam cutting pad? That pad would be a very bad choice for the process you mentioned, but a red Lake Country Hydro pad would be perfectly suited to it. We just want folks to be clear on that as pad color is not a universal indicator of cutting ability, recommended use, etc.

Davey & ffboy- thank you for the positive comments and feedback!

Mr. Stoops,

Excellent info regarding the arm speed, pad choice, and tool speed. I'm sure trying varying combinations of those items would have really taken care of the water spots and added some more correction. My setup wasn't exactly what I wanted... short on time, poor lighting (although I have quite a few halogen work light stands) and rain was heading my way. So, I really didn't have time for 50/50s and trying out the 'other' combos. I had researched quite a bit regarding the A12 coupled with D/A use but kept coming up with vague threads without many specifics.

(Probably because most forum members here and other 'detailing' or paint care forums, tend to be true enthusiasts who are always trying out the latest and greatest. And the portion who are still using the A-12 are A.) are not into detailing/ paint care enough to frequent here or B.) apply it mostly by hand. Just my crystal ball I'm looking into here, it could be wrong!)

Yes, you are correct regarding pad manufacturer... wasn't sure if the rules allowed mentioning other pad producers but I was using a 5.5" Buff and Shine, black finishing pad. I have 6 each of yellow, orange, white, green, blue, black, and red. I would be using M's pads but you guys don't offer one in the 5.5". Pad wise, I'm equipped for just about anything that will come my way (read black Honda and it's a REAL mess.)

***To Mike's point- not all pad colors ARE UNIVERSAL when considering their cutting ability across the pad manufacturer spectrum!***

I've got some compound and polish for the Honda. I was almost going to pick up the Meguiar's D/A MF pack because the swirls and RDS are nasty and deep! I have a bad feeling the compound and yellow B&S pads are going to take quite a long time... then the polishing after that!

If your patience will allow Mike, one final question I have...
I know pads and wax are a chore (cleaning), however, have you found an effective way to clean a pad on the fly when using a cleaner wax? I used a brush but nothing else. I was timid to use a cloth or air compressor because the cloth (I thought) would incur premature saturation and the air gun would cause the wax to dry? Maybe a dry-er pad would have been more optimal because the brush would have been more effective at removing the buildup? I'm second guessing myself here... and that usually tells me, I'm a little lost. Any clarification regarding cleaner wax and cleaning on the fly is greatly appreciated.

My best,
-Dellinger

[davey g-force]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

I've got some compound and polish for the Honda. I was almost going to pick up the Meguiar's D/A MF pack because the swirls and RDS are nasty and deep! I have a bad feeling the compound and yellow B&S pads are going to take quite a long time... then the polishing after that!

Honda paint is renowned for being soft. Not saying that's the case for you, but generally speaking. So the DAMF kit would probably have been too unecessarily aggressive for it. As always, do a test spot first. You'll probably be fine with what you have.

If your patience will allow Mike, one final question I have...
I know pads and wax are a chore (cleaning), however, have you found an effective way to clean a pad on the fly when using a cleaner wax? I used a brush but nothing else. I was timid to use a cloth or air compressor because the cloth (I thought) would incur premature saturation and the air gun would cause the wax to dry? Maybe a dry-er pad would have been more optimal because the brush would have been more effective at removing the buildup? I'm second guessing myself here... and that usually tells me, I'm a little lost. Any clarification regarding cleaner wax and cleaning on the fly is greatly appreciated.

Hope you don't mind me answering in Mike's absence.
Cleaning your pad on the fly when using Cleaner Wax should be no different to when using any other compound / polish / wax. Use a brush and/or towel.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

AWE-SOME! You said you have experience with a rotary but none with a DA. So your results are awe inspiring and a testament to Meguiar's good Cleaner Wax.
It's great to here and see these stories.
As far as pics go, I use Photobucket with ease. I can upload from my camera, copy and paste with a few clicks.

[Dellinger]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

Davey- excellent info! Thanks for the tip on the cleaner wax/ pad cleaning on the fly. I've heard about the 'soft' Honda paint, supposedly the black is even softer. I don't know, haven't worked a Honda yet.

Please Wash Me- thanks for the kind words. And the photobucket tip.

Regards,
-Dellinger

[BillyJack]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

Nice work on your Dodge! I've been a proponent of a cleaner wax since I first started waxing cars over 40 years ago. My own personal favorite for a long time was Classic Slipstream, but Meg's A12 was the product I always recommended to my customers at the dealership because it's inexpensive, very effective and darn near idiot-proof. It's always amazing how much you can accomplish with an entry-level product in capable hands with a D/A.

Bill

[Detailing by M]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

Nice work on your Dodge! I've been a proponent of a cleaner wax since I first started waxing cars over 40 years ago. My own personal favorite for a long time was Classic Slipstream, but Meg's A12 was the product I always recommended to my customers at the dealership because it's inexpensive, very effective and darn near idiot-proof. It's always amazing how much you can accomplish with an entry-level product in capable hands with a D/A.

Bill

EXACTLY why this product is still around and is awesome

[Dellinger]

Re: Original Cleaner Wax... solid.

Thanks Bill! The D/A and the A-12 are really the stars here... really impressed by the results they gave. I just checked the price of a 12 or 16oz bottle (not sure, larger size though) of A-12 at my local store $8.59! What a deal right?!?!

I'm gonna top the A-12 with some NXT 1.0 (still have some left over to burn through before switching over to my newer bottle of 2.0) this weekend after a wash.

I picked up some UQW to try it out since it's been well received. It's my first spray wax and I'm looking forward to using it in a few weeks or so just to maintain the A-12/ NXT protection between washes.

[drumdan]

A 12

Years ago, when I was first introduced to detailing, A12 Cleaner Wax was one of my favorite products. It was 1996, and I originally started with the Deep Crystal line. It was a lot of work, so I only did the three step on my car. My family's cars got the Cleaner Wax. I was always amazed when I waxed the car the following year, to be pulling old wax off the car. At least that's what I assumed it was.

Today I use Cleaner Wax by hand at my girlfriend's apartment on her truck. It's all I have over there, besides Ultimate Wash And Wax Anywhere, and The Clay Bar Kit. I have that much faith in the product.

On a side note, the scent of A12 always takes me back to when I was a 19 year old kid in 1996, just as #7 Show Car Glaze, and #26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax.

Great review, and awesome pics!