P21s/Maguiar’s Ultimate Wax

[Javaman12]

I have a 2011 Arctic White Corvette that has been very well maintained (and garaged) over the years. Bought the car this past February with just over 8,000 mi. Can’t speak to what was used in the past - car now has about 3 coats of Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid was on it. Recently I have thinking about “claying” the car but to be honest, at this point, I don’t feel it’s necessary.
I like the Meguiar’s but miss the depth of a natural wax. Years ago I used P21s wax and cleaner on a torch red ‘Vette and was pleased with the results.I realize the carnauba is not as durable as a synthetic wax and will need to be applied more often. That said, will I get the same “finish” from the P21s?
Thanks!

 

[acuRAS82]

P21s has a shiny, bright finish from what I remember (for a wax). But probably deeper, warmer still than Megs ULW I would think (full disclosure I haven’t used ULW much but have used M21 a lot and I believe they are siblings of each other with the candy coated look).

For a garage queen the P21s should last long enough. But if you aren’t going to clay anyways, why not apply P21s on top of ULW and see what you think. Probably better protection, durability and a warmer look.

 

[FUNX650]

IMO:
-While both of these products are well-suited
for garage queens, I am going to suggest the
below as another “means to an end”.

********************************

1.) After washing the vehicle—using your favorite
method(s)—[mine are RWs/WWs]...
2.) Perform “The Baggie Test” to see if Claying
is required, or not.

After that ‘Clay, or not,’ step is deemed completed:

3.) Next on the list is an application of
Finish Kare 303 Foam Pad Glaze.

4.) Follow up with an application of Finish Kare
1000P Hi-Temp (synthetic) Paste Wax—[now
renamed/ known as: Finish Kare BWM 101
Hi-Temp Paste Wax].

5.) Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

**************************************

•By using a maintenance product that doesn’t
interfere with FK-1000P’s/FK-BWM101’s innate
characteristics, the above overall process should
last for at least a couple years on most people’s
garage queens.
-FWIW: Using Meguiar’s D114 as the maintenance
product...It’s lasted longer than that on mine!


Bob

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

First - since this is your first post to the forum,

Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:

I have a 2011 Arctic White Corvette that has been very well maintained (and garaged) over the years. Bought the car this past February with just over 8,000 mi. Can’t speak to what was used in the past - car now has about 3 coats of Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid was on it.

The Meguiar's Ultimate line is very good.

Recently I have thinking about “claying” the car but to be honest, at this point, I don’t feel it’s necessary.

My guess is without ever seeing the car, after 9+ years - well my guess is the car will fail the Baggie Test. I RARELY come across a car that passes the Baggie Test. And the two most common places cars get overspray paint are body shops, (where they spray paint), and a Car Guy's Garage - because car guys tend to use Rattle Cans and never cover their car. Just saying...


The Baggie Test as seen on Competition Ready TV with AJ and Mike Phillips

I like the Meguiar’s but miss the depth of a natural wax. Years ago I used P21s wax and cleaner on a torch red ‘Vette and was pleased with the results.

I realize the carnauba is not as durable as a synthetic wax and will need to be applied more often.

That said, will I get the same “finish” from the P21s?
Thanks!

Nothing against P21S but last I checked it's a traditional Carnauba Wax. Meguiar's Ultimate Wax on the other hand is going to be a "blended wax". This means the chemist will include a blend of ingredients to bring out all the best appearances features of urethane paint plus add protection.

That said, if you did the proper prep work to a white car and then used both products - you probably couldn't tell the difference as that is the downside of white paint. You do not get the deep dark reflections like you get with dark colors. Normally what I aim for is to maximize gloss and the way you maximize gloss is by having a smooth surface. A smooth surface starts with smooth paint and if paint fails the baggie test then it will not be as glossy as possible.

 

[Rsurfer]

Bob, do you know what BWM stands for?

 

[FUNX650]

Bob, do you know what BWM stands for?

Yes I do.

Finish Kare has a particular line-up that
consists of three specific products that
they call, on the whole:
“The Big White Marine System”.


Bob

 

[Rsurfer]

Yes I do.

Finish Kare has a particular line-up that
consists of three specific products that
they call, on the whole:
“The Big White Marine System”.


Bob

:xyxthumbs:

 

[PaulMys]

Yes I do.

Finish Kare has a particular line-up that
consists of three specific products that
they call, on the whole:
“The Big White Marine System”.


Bob

Thank God they didn't go with Lavender instead of white.

The acronym would create quite the confusion in 2020...............

 

[Me Time]

I have and used both. But I have to agree with Bob, FinishKare is a very good product. Not knocking Meguairs Ultimate line. But we have 2 white cars and after the FinishKare cures for a couple of days it looks like a glass finish.

M21/Ultimate does pretty good too, but I don't think it leave as nice as a finish. But either one and you can't go wrong. And besides, you can always top one of them with the PS21.

But if it's gonna see the inside of the garage more then the outside, PS21 will be fine.

 

[Javaman12]

Thanks all - appreciate the feedback!

 

[Javaman12]

First - since this is your first post to the forum,

Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:





The Meguiar's Ultimate line is very good.





My guess is without ever seeing the car, after 9+ years - well my guess is the car will fail the Baggie Test. I RARELY come across a car that passes the Baggie Test. And the two most common places cars get overspray paint are body shops, (where they spray paint), and a Car Guy's Garage - because car guys tend to use Rattle Cans and never cover their car. Just saying...


The Baggie Test as seen on Competition Ready TV with AJ and Mike Phillips

Nothing against P21S but last I checked it's a traditional Carnauba Wax. Meguiar's Ultimate Wax on the other hand is going to be a "blended wax". This means the chemist will include a blend of ingredients to bring out all the best appearances features of urethane paint plus add protection.

That said, if you did the proper prep work to a white car and then used both products - you probably couldn't tell the difference as that is the downside of white paint. You do not get the deep dark reflections like you get with dark colors. Normally what I aim for is to maximize gloss and the way you maximize gloss is by having a smooth surface. A smooth surface starts with smooth paint and if paint fails the baggie test then it will not be as glossy as possible.

Thanks Mike for the detailed response. Let me ask you this. Assuming the car does need to be clayed, would it be beneficial to follow it up with the P21 paint cleaner before waxing? Thought is the cleaner would polish out any “maring” from the clay.

 

[DUBL0WS6]

I used P21S years ago and while it looked good the durability was poor. Chances are that if you are in a hot climate it will break down even in a garage.

 

[WillSports3]

I would suggest trying Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax and skip the P21. The P21 as a carnauba wax will turn acidic overtime. Ultimate Paste Wax is probably the only non-SiO2 based protection I still use.

Meguiar's ULW and UPW seem to have different results, I remember UPW having a very wet but very bright shine.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thanks Mike for the detailed response.

Let me ask you this. Assuming the car does need to be clayed, would it be beneficial to follow it up with the P21 paint cleaner before waxing?

Thought is the cleaner would polish out any “marring” from the clay.

Kind of... the P21S Paint Cleaner is non-abraive - thus the name "paint cleaner" not "paint polish", thus it will not remove marring. It may mask or fill marring just like the wax will but not actually remove it.

And thus is the quandary for so many people,

To clay or not to clay?

My own personal rule is if I clay a car I have ALREADY factored in doing at least ONE machine polishing step to remove any marring or potential marring.


Here's a great example. A BRAND NEW SPANKING car with no real visible swirls or scratches except in a few places and the Piano Plastic but it needed to be clayed.


Review: IGL Poly Ceramic Coating - 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S

Failed the Baggie Test

Clay is not shown - forgot to grab it for the picture but I did in fact clay using the Pinnacle Ultra Fine Grade Detailing Clay


Tools - Pads - Products

I know it's easy to think to "install" a ceramic paint coating on your car all you have to do is order the coating, as in order the tiny glass bottle of product. But that's a false reality. In the real-world, you're going to need a polisher, pads, products and lots of clean, un-contaminated microfiber towels to do the job right.

Here's a few pictures showing what I used to install a ceramic coating to a brand new Porsche.

And as expected and was one of the goals - extreme GLOSS

So if a person does NOT own a polisher - do you clay?

Because your Corvette is white, you will never see any marring. Plus - if you use an ultra fine grade or fine grade and LOTS of lube - you're safe enough to go over it.

Remember - I have to type and teach for the most EXTREME OCD type people.

 

[acuRAS82]

“Remember - I have to type and teach for the most EXTREME OCD type people.”

Well put, Mike.

 

[Me Time]

I have done both on the older white Escape we have as far as claying and following with a polish and with out. It all matters the time I have. But these are my own vehicles.

If I was working on someone else's it would get polished after, unless the owner is fine with the way it looks. But they would have to understand that it is what it is if they did not want to put out for it.

 

[Me Time]

I would suggest trying Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax and skip the P21. The P21 as a carnauba wax will turn acidic overtime. Ultimate Paste Wax is probably the only non-SiO2 based protection I still use.

Meguiar's ULW and UPW seem to have different results, I remember UPW having a very wet but very bright shine.

I have both and remember there being a difference, but did not remember what. It has been a while since I used either one.