Review: Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax

CEE DOG

New member
Jul 12, 2009
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Review: Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax

Introduction:
This was the first I had heard of this product that I can recall. I had never really considered using a wash with wax in it. Thanks to Shane sending me this sample I had the opportunity to try something I never would have otherwise. Thank you Shane! Last weekend
I had a chance to wash a couple cars with it. I followed the dilution directions I found on the “Interweb” (You know… that thing V.P. Al Gore invented).

Product Description (from AG website):
If you like to save time – and who doesn’t? – you should try Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax. This revolutionary formula contains dispersed wax, unlike most wash and wax formulas. Dispersed wax remains on the paint after rinsing, so you don’t get the illusion of wax, you get real wax protection!

Initial Product Observations:
1.- Packaging: N/A

2.- Directions: 1oz. per gallon dilution
3.- Consistency: Thick

4.- Color: Yellow
5.- Scent: Lemon cake
6.- Size: 48 oz.
7.- Current Price: $10.99
8.- Manufacturer: Meguiars, Inc
9.-Made in: Nashville, TN.


Additional products used for prep, during application, or removal:
1.- (2) buckets with Grit Guards
2.- MF Wash Mitt (Carrand)
3.- Waffle Weave Towel


Method of Preparation, Application, and noted Observations:
It was a very cloudy afternoon so I didn’t have to pull the canopy out. In fact it had actually just finished raining which wasn't helpful for the before pictures. After rinsing both cars and washing the wheels on one of them I set up a rinse bucket and a wash bucket. I mixed about 2 oz. of product into about 2 gallons of water. Then I mixed the solution together with my arm and dropped the Grit Guard in. Finally, I circulated it a little more with a stream of water until the suds were activated. I added just enough to raise the water level above the grit guard to sufficiently wash both vehicles.
The sun was of no issue so I washed both cars simultaneously. First the roof and windows of each car were washed and rinsed. Next the hoods, trunk lids, and then the verticals were completed. As I was finishing up on the green car I realized I still had some bug stain (remains) on the front of the hood, which I think should have been removed during the wash. This led me to feel that the soap had sub par cleaning abilities compared to the products I normally use. It is possible that those bugs were particularly stubborn and were in need of the bug sponge. Due to the inferior lighting I may not have seen them on the first go around with the panel soapy. I look forward to hearing others opinions on the cleaning ability.
I sealed the blue car a month or so ago and was curious to see the difference in the sealant by itself compared with after it had some MW&W wax over it. Therefore I washed one of the windows with only water to compare it with the window next to it.
After both vehicles were washed but not dried I took a couple videos. In the first video you will see the affect of the MW&W on sheeting water. It actually seems to sheet quite a bit slower on sealed horizontal painted surface after the MW&W then before it. On green (not in video) it improved the sheeting speed over what I had witnessed previously. The second video is a side by side on vertical glass of blue that was also sealed as mentioned above. The rear window is after MW&W and the front window is without. The after pictures were taken 24 hours later as there wasn’t enough lighting after I had finished washing.
Please see the videos and pictures and rejoin me afterwards to see the Pros, Cons, and Summary.



Video: Sheeting I (After MW&W)

Video: Sheeting II
Rear window after MW&W
Front window (nothing added to it since sealing)


PICTURES:

01-Before Blue
01-Before_Blue.JPG


02.- Before Blue
02-Before_Blue.JPG


03.- Before Green

03-Before_Green.JPG


04.- After Blue

04-After_Blue.JPG


05.- After Blue

05-After_Blue.JPG


06.- After Blue

06-After_Blue.JPG


07.- After Green
07-After_Green.JPG


08.- After Green
08-After_Green.JPG


09.- After Green

09-After_Green.JPG


10.- After Green
10-After_Green.JPG


Pros:
1.- Price

2. -Contains carnauba wax and polymers
3.- Accomplishes some boosting of your wax while simultaneously washing your car

Cons:
1.- Cleaning ability seemed to be less then I am used to

2.- Wax spotting on my windshield (came off with the next rain)

???:
1.- is this a jack of two trades and master of none?
2.- Added gloss and slickness was hit with one vehicle and miss with the other.

Final Observations and Summary:

I found Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax to get the job done and have a fair amount of lubricity. If you want a wax booster in your wash then I think you would be happy with this product. I have never used a product that I can really compare this to. For me I personally prefer to boost my wax or sealant in a different way. The suds lasted for a good while but did not feel particularly thick to me. Mayhap I used a little more water in my dilution then I should have. The scent is nice but not as nice as WG-AB in my opinion. The water sheets with flood method but its rather slow moving in comparison. I found the MUW&W to leave a finish less slick then the bfwd was by itself. However my green SL, which is about due for a sealant or proper wax was slightly slicker after using MUW&W.

And the Product Link:

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-ultimate-wash-wax.html
 
i tried this a while back and just do not care for it. IME, qd's do not like to be used after this product, and seemed grabby and not to mention the price point for only a 48oz bottle as opposed to 64oz which would be a slightly better deal for the price ($8-$10). i personally like and would reach for the gold class wash instead...
 
While it's not horrible, I much prefer GC wash to MW&W. It doesn't seem to clean as well as GC either.
 
I bought a jug of UWW but I'm not sure I'll be buying more. I don't notice a big difference in shine between UWW and GC. Plus, for $8.00 for 48 oz. it's really not worth it. I can buy GC for $4.00 for 48 oz.
 
i havent used Meguiars but other brands who make a similar product and my findings were similar. I prefer a just a good shampoo and ill boost the wax in some other way.


oh and whats with the fleet of saturns?
 
I purchased this several months ago, about 4 months ago, was not impressed at all, like Cee said, one thing that was very obvious was the lack of cleaning ability. Megs Gold Class for OTC Shampoo.
 
i havent used Meguiars but other brands who make a similar product and my findings were similar. I prefer a just a good shampoo and ill boost the wax in some other way.


oh and whats with the fleet of saturns?


:iagree: Glad you brought that up.....I noticed that too.......Cee loves those Saturns...he has one of every color.....J/K
 
Wow Dog another great review! I have to agree with you and others, I too would rather boost my LSPs in other ways. As for Meggs otc soaps, I agree that Gold Class is hard to beat. Another great otc as you know is DG90* Thanks for another great review.
 
Personally, I don't think UW&W is a bad wash. I would rather use it and Gold Class over Deep Crystal or NXT car wash. I think the reason it sheets water is to help prevent water spotting. I do like the concept of a wash and wax type of product as it would seem to help boost your existing protection. However, since 99% of the time I follow up with a spray wax or spray detailer, the concept of a wash and wax isn't really beneficial to me. But I still like 'em. Go figure. Maybe you will have better luck with the Poorboy's Super Slick and Wax I sent you, Corey. Thanks for the review! :props:
 
Wow Dog another great review! I have to agree with you and others, I too would rather boost my LSPs in other ways. As for Meggs otc soaps, I agree that Gold Class is hard to beat. Another great otc as you know is DG90* Thanks for another great review.

agreed and IMO, the DG CWC (just purchased my 3rd gallon from carquest) beats the gold class wash physically in every aspect. i just recently finished a jug of gold class wash which i probably won't purchase again anytime soon...
 
I bought a jug of UW&W when it was first released, with a $5 rebate. I'm about 2/3 through the jug. I will not be buying it again. I honestly cannot see an increase in gloss on my cars. I do not know if the cleaning power is less than other car shampoos--I find that aspect of performance difficult to compare and judge. I do like UW&W's smell, though.

If my car needs extra gloss, I'll apply a coat of wax.

Now that winter is nearly here, I'll be switching to ONR. Next spring I will switch to Griot's Car Wash. I've heard good things about Griot's and am looking forward to trying it.
 
Corey,

Another great review of a product that might have a place on my shelf. I am a little disappointed that it's cleaning ability is not on par with Meguiar's other washes but that might to be do to incorporating wax into its formula.

I do agree with others as there are other products available that we all seem to like a little better. I wonder if Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax could be a real shot in the arm for those poor souls, me, that live in the arctic during the winter months.

I might give this a try..............might.
 
Sweet another master review!!!

Thank you Dwow!

....oh and whats with the fleet of saturns?

I bought the green 1997 Saturn SL for about $3,500 with 85,000 miles on it back around 2001 or something like that. Still hear with over 200K now and never an issue. When it was time to buy another car I was going for a used honda or toyota. They were $5,000 min. at the miles I wanted so I thought "Well, my SL has treated me good" I started looking at those in the paper and found the blue 1999 SL for about $2,500 with about 120,000 miles on it. She hasn't given me any trouble either. She's going on probably about 170,000 now. In 2006 or 07 on my way from lunch back to work with my buddy I saw a car in the parking lot pulling out and I said, "What's that!" We got up close to it and I said "Thats a Saturn!!!" It was a Sky and was love at first sight... A couple years later I found my soulmate (an 08 Sky Redline)...Sorry honey :) A couple months later the new GM (Government Motors) closed their only line of cars that treated their customers with any respect...

:iagree: Glad you brought that up.....I noticed that too.......Cee loves those Saturns...he has one of every color.....J/K

Hey Wendell! :cheers: See above

Wow Dog another great review! I have to agree with you and others, I too would rather boost my LSPs in other ways. As for Meggs otc soaps, I agree that Gold Class is hard to beat. Another great otc as you know is DG90* Thanks for another great review.

Thank you Tad! I agree with you completely. I like the Megs GC a lot but I love the Duragloss and the Ultima car washes the most.

Personally, I don't think UW&W is a bad wash. I would rather use it and Gold Class over Deep Crystal or NXT car wash. I think the reason it sheets water is to help prevent water spotting. I do like the concept of a wash and wax type of product as it would seem to help boost your existing protection. However, since 99% of the time I follow up with a spray wax or spray detailer, the concept of a wash and wax isn't really beneficial to me. But I still like 'em. Go figure. Maybe you will have better luck with the Poorboy's Super Slick and Wax I sent you, Corey. Thanks for the review! :props:

Hopefully I wasn't too rough on it Shane. You have more experience with it then I do. It was just my opinion. I have some Deep Crystal from like 10 years ago (I think when I bought the Green Saturn) LOL... Used it once and then was so busy for years I didn't touch it. I look forward to trying the PB super slick and wax. Thanks again for the samples!

Corey,

Another great review of a product that might have a place on my shelf. I am a little disappointed that it's cleaning ability is not on par with Meguiar's other washes but that might to be do to incorporating wax into its formula.

I do agree with others as there are other products available that we all seem to like a little better. I wonder if Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax could be a real shot in the arm for those poor souls, me, that live in the arctic during the winter months.

I might give this a try..............might.

Thank you Bobby! I hope you give it a try and let us know what you think. If so please post here or add a link here to your post.
Thanks again :cheers:
 
I bought the green 1997 Saturn SL for about $3,500 with 85,000 miles on it back around 2001 or something like that. Still hear with over 200K now and never an issue. When it was time to buy another car I was going for a used honda or toyota. They were $5,000 min. at the miles I wanted so I thought "Well, my SL has treated me good" I started looking at those in the paper and found the blue 1999 SL for about $2,500 with about 120,000 miles on it. She hasn't given me any trouble either. She's going on probably about 170,000 now. In 2006 or 07 on my way from lunch back to work with my buddy I saw a car in the parking lot pulling out and I said, "What's that!" We got up close to it and I said "Thats a Saturn!!!" It was a Sky and was love at first sight... A couple years later I found my soulmate (an 08 Sky Redline)...Sorry honey :) A couple months later the new GM (Government Motors) closed their only line of cars that treated their customers with any respect...


quite the story. I wish any one of my cars would just run and stop being fussy.
 
I bought the green 1997 Saturn SL for about $3,500 with 85,000 miles on it back around 2001 or something like that. Still hear with over 200K now and never an issue. When it was time to buy another car I was going for a used honda or toyota. They were $5,000 min. at the miles I wanted so I thought "Well, my SL has treated me good" I started looking at those in the paper and found the blue 1999 SL for about $2,500 with about 120,000 miles on it. She hasn't given me any trouble either. She's going on probably about 170,000 now. In 2006 or 07 on my way from lunch back to work with my buddy I saw a car in the parking lot pulling out and I said, "What's that!" We got up close to it and I said "Thats a Saturn!!!" It was a Sky and was love at first sight... A couple years later I found my soulmate (an 08 Sky Redline)...Sorry honey :) A couple months later the new GM (Government Motors) closed their only line of cars that treated their customers with any respect...

Corey,
Just picked up my Winter car, a 97 Saturn SC1 with 124K miles.The original owner took pretty good care of it with exception of being a heavy smoker. This will serve me until Spring till I can drive my Super Bee again.

I used my trusty Cyclo with Meguiars Ultimate Compound,followed by Klasse AIO, followed by Meguiars #16, and finally a coat of Collinite 845 and it shines like no Winter Beater has a right to!Im the MAN

Hoping it has the longevity of your Saturns.

Jeff
 
That was a great review! I have used this in the past and I have also found it a bit short on "cleaning ability"! One thing I hated was the build up on the glass after about four washes....esp the windshield. I couldn't see at night with oncoming headlights! It did indeed leave a touch of protection on the painted and chrome surfaces tho but with no visible enhancements to the look of the paint. My choice now when I decide to use a wash and wax is Dodo Sour Power. It cleans well with good slickness, doesn't leave any residues on glass that will deteriorate night time vision and leaves a touch of carnuba that certainly doesn't hurt in the NE PA winter,when I'm rushed and can't use a spray wax!
 
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