Cleaner wax for maintenance?

[prr]

I just borrowed an old bottle of cleaner wax (Megs Deep Crystal Cleaner Wax). I saw a pic the other day of someone having used cleaner wax on one half of the hood, and the difference was striking.

Now my 12 year old minivan does not have major defects, but I haven't clayed it in years and years (pretty much given up on that), and I'm wondering---would I be hurting my paint by using a cleaner wax as my every 4-8 week wax application for this car? Is cleaner wax, with abrasives, meant only for one time applications to paint, to get rid of major defects? Would I be hurting my paint by using this all the time?

If it wouldn't hurt the paint, I will apply it and see if it does make a difference over regular wax, and then how much sooner the cleaner wax wears off (if it wears away any sooner at all--that is what people say can or will happen with cleaner wax).

I would basically be washing and then using a cleaner wax every 4-8 weeks--and that would pretty much be all I would be doing. The hood looks old--pitted, and a bit darker and murkier than the rest of the car, but the rest of the paint really does look pretty good for being 12 years old.

Another cleaner wax that is cheap and available close by is Mother's carnuba cleaner wax, so that is also an option for a long term maintenance wax.

 

[dlc95]

That classic Meguiar's product is completely safe for your paint. You could probably use it weekly for another fifty years, and not have it hurt anything.

 

[prr]

Great. Then I'll give it a shot and see if it makes a difference.

After you posted, I edited my OP to mention Mothers carnuba cleaner wax as another option. Any thoughts on that one?

 

[saturn2]

I love Meguiars 20# and that is my go to when it comes to cleaner wax.

 

[briarpatch]

For years, Megs Cleaner Wax was all that was on my shelf...still has a spot amongst all the other products I've added

 

[FUNX650]

I just borrowed an old bottle of cleaner
wax (Megs Deep Crystal Cleaner Wax).

I'm wondering---would I be hurting my
paint by using a cleaner wax as my every
4-8 week wax application for this car?

Is cleaner wax, with abrasives, meant
only for one time applications to paint,
to get rid of major defects?

Would I be hurting my paint by using
this all the time?

I've yet to find a Cleaner/Wax that's been
formulated to remove major defects; or
one that's intended to be used on paint
for only/just a one-time basis.

Another cleaner wax that is cheap and
available close by is Mother's carnuba
cleaner wax, so that is also an option
for a long term maintenance wax.

If that's the case...
Then, perhaps you should go ahead and
use the Mothers Cleaner/Wax for long
term maintenance. That way you wouldn't
have the concerns about using the Meguiar's
Cleaner/Wax that you mentioned above.


JMO.


Bob

 

[mwoolfso]

Marketing genius aside.... I find most cleaner waxes to be extremely similar in cleaning and polishing ability. I will tend to top with a spray wax for additional durability, such as OCW, and you can get a good 2-4 months easily with that type of combination.

 

[dlc95]

Great. Then I'll give it a shot and see if it makes a difference.

After you posted, I edited my OP to mention Mothers carnuba cleaner wax as another option. Any thoughts on that one?

Those are probably very similar in their cleaning ability. You should be fine.

 

[dlc95]

For years, Megs Cleaner Wax was all that was on my shelf...still has a spot amongst all the other products I've added

Mine too!

I have a "budget" service that I offer, I have a A12 Cleaner Wax machine applied option.

 

[prr]

Thanks to all for the replies. It looks like I'll be ok with the cleaner wax. My next wax job on the older vehicle, I'll do half with cleaner wax and the other half with a regular wax, and see if there is any difference. Then, if I do decide to keep the cleaner wax, I'll grab a bottle of Mother's just to compare.

I have heard people use the term "abrasives" with cleaner wax, so I just wanted to be sure.

 

[prr]

In that case, it sounds like a cleaner wax is just what I should use on a car that doesn't have major gashes, but after 12 years, has probably picked up some crud that I don't want to take the time to clay out.

I've yet to find a Cleaner/Wax that's been
formulated to remove major defects; or
one that's intended to be used on paint
for only/just a one-time basis.


JMO.


Bob

 

[Automoglow]

I just picked up some of the mothers cleaner wax and HD speed to try on my new car. I noticed after washing it some minor marring.. most likely the dealer doing their detail. Can either of these AIOs be topped with anything else like glaze, sealant and more wax since they have some in it?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

would I be hurting my paint by using a cleaner wax as my every 4-8 week wax application for this car?

No. Anything put out by Meguiar's or Mothers in their "consumer line" is Bubba-Proof. This means it is incredibly safe. Just don't get these cleaner/waxes or any brand cleaner/wax on pebble textured black plastic trim. It will stain it.

Is cleaner wax, with abrasives, meant only for one time applications to paint, to get rid of major defects? Would I be hurting my paint by using this all the time?

No. Yes there are abrasives in these types of products but look at the brand name on the bottle. Do you think Meguiar's or Mothers would put out a wax for the masses that would contain an abrasive technology that would scratch or grind off paint?

The answer is no.

Here's a real simple test for you to do to show you how incredibly safe these products are...

Shake up the bottle really well and then pour some out onto your hand and feel the product between your fingers. It will feel like Jorgen's hand lotion. In FACT you won't feel any gritty particles at all.

I was calling on body shops when clearcoat paints were introduced and ALL the companies that make compounds, polishes and cleaner/waxes, (these are the products with abrasives in them), had to change their formulas because clearcoats scratch so easily.

There are junk products on the market so stick with known brand names and you'll be okay.

If it wouldn't hurt the paint, I will apply it and see if it does make a difference over regular wax, and then how much sooner the cleaner wax wears off (if it wears away any sooner at all--that is what people say can or will happen with cleaner wax).

All waxes wear off. They are supposed to as they are sacrificial barrier coatings. They sacrifice themselves so you paint doesn't have to sacrifice itself.

Also, washing a waxed car wears off the wax, it's called micro-abrasion.

Waxing your minivan every other month or so will slowly restore the appearance as just the act of touching the paint, that is rubbing a smooth creamy cleaner/wax over it has a polishing effect.

Thanks to all for the replies. It looks like I'll be ok with the cleaner wax. My next wax job on the older vehicle, I'll do half with cleaner wax and the other half with a regular wax, and see if there is any difference.

If the other wax is a non-cleaning wax and you're working on neglected paint the non-cleaning wax will have little to no effect.

I just picked up some of the mothers cleaner wax and HD speed to try on my new car. I noticed after washing it some minor marring.. most likely the dealer doing their detail. C

an either of these AIOs be topped with anything else like glaze, sealant and more wax since they have some in it?

Yes.

Some people use a cleaner/wax like a paint cleaner and then top with a pure wax, that is a wax with no cleaners.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Here's some articles I've written that cover a LOT of info on waxes and sealants...


The Difference Between a Cleaner/Wax and a Finishing Wax


How to choose and use a one-step cleaner/wax by Mike Phillips