How long does wax last?

[Bigmerc2003]

I have some Meg's cleaner paste wax that is about 10+ years old. I opened it up last week to see if it was dried out and surprisingly it was still moist, BUT it smelled terrible almost like ammonia or vinegar. Is it time to toss it?

How long do pastes last??

How long do liquids last??

I hate to throw it out, it was the first container of wax I got, it was a 16th birthday present along with my car so it’s like a family heirloom!

[William_F]

Re: How long does wax last?

You can keep it, I just wouldn't use it

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How long does wax last?

Meguiar's products generally have a shelf life of 3 to 5 years provided they are not subjected to temperature extremes. Freezing of most products with a lotion like consistency (liquid waxes, paint cleaners, polishes, compounds) usually won't survive even a single freeze/thaw cycle, and repeated or prolonged exposure to very high heat (in the trunk of your car all summer long) can do them in too.

Having said that, we have seen liquid products that are still perfectly fine many, many years after production - in some cases, literally decades. But the rule of thumb is this: shake the product thoroughly, and if it pours out in a smooth, even consistency and it has no terrible odor, it's still good. If, on the other hand, it is either watery (separated into a watery component and a thick component that will not mix back together), lumpy like cottage cheese or it just has a horrible odor, throw it away.

[Bigmerc2003]

Re: How long does wax last?

Thank you very much

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How long does wax last?

I would not use it. However I would keep it as memorabilia. It got you started on detailing. I did this with my first jug off Gold Class and the A-12 cleaner wax.

[Bigmerc2003]

Re: How long does wax last?

I will keep it for sure!! There is a lot of memories with that little container! My first car (which I still have) was a 1979 4 door lincoln continental towncar, 25 feet of beautiful blue steel. The paint on it is called Diamond Blue Metallic with the optional moondust coating. I used to wax that car every couple months and when it was in the sun the car looked silver from the metallic shining . Love that car!! Thats what got me going with Meguiars