Turtle Wax has 2 polishing liquid compounds in plastic bottles, black for removing light to medium scrathes and swirls, and a green bottle for medium to heavy swirls and scrathes for about 6 dollars. Each can be applied by hand or DA machines and claim to be paint safe. Wondering how do these compounds compare to the more expensive types polishing brands available on AG ? The Turtle products are available at many big stores and auto stores.
Turtle Wax Brand polishing compounds.
- Thread starter Dodgeman
- Start date
ihaveacamaro
New member
- Jun 16, 2012
- 3,048
- 0
Have them... they are pretty good paperweights. A little messy though.
Once you go past the initial crap detailing stuff you buy and then into the good stuff, you never go back!
Once you go past the initial crap detailing stuff you buy and then into the good stuff, you never go back!
Johnnyboy
New member
- Oct 15, 2010
- 201
- 0
If your looking for OTC products, best bet is to go with Meguiars Ultimate Compound and Polish....can't go wrong and you can find them almost anywhere. If your looking for something that it a little stronger, there are way too many to choose from and to help you choose.....you have come to the right place!
FUNX650
New member
- Dec 1, 2010
- 21,057
- 1
Most compound/polishes contain all, some, or in part...the following ingredients:
-A type of solvent
-Emulsifiers/Emulsion
-Abrasives:
a.) Non-diminishing, diminishing...or both
b.) A silica, aluminum oxide
c.) Different shapes/"sizes"
-Lubricating-media: "Oils" and/or "Polymers"
-Kaolin, Kaolin Clay, or Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.)
-Surfactants
-Coloring
-Fragrance
-A type of wax
Not only has there been many formulation-improvements made by "boutique"
compounds'/polishes' manufacturers during the last several years...
But just look at what Meguiar's has done by introducing their: "SMAT"...
as well as Menzerna's introduction of their: Agglomerate Abrasives...
terminologies/technologies to the Detailing-World's lexicon.
Therefore...IMHO...
The World's largest car-care supply company (The Turtle)
has also not remained static in their latest/newer compounds/polishes-formulations.
Some that are said to even be body-shop safe (no silicone)!!
Bob
umi000
Active member
- Jan 14, 2011
- 1,110
- 0
A detailer friend of mine has told me that the Turtle Wax Premium Grade polishing and rubbing compound (the ones in the bottles) are actually not half-bad, in a pinch - they're actually fairly mild, as far as compounds and polishes go. They're completely different animals from the regular polishing and rubbing compound (in the tubs), which are overly aggressive and do not finish out well.
Of course, if you're starting out and haven't bought them yet, I'd just skip them entirely and go with, as mentioned above, Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish.
Of course, if you're starting out and haven't bought them yet, I'd just skip them entirely and go with, as mentioned above, Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
- Aug 31, 2010
- 16,838
- 1,167
Take the advice of these members, spend the $2 or $3 more a bottle (over the Turtle Wax).
Klasse Act
Well-known member
- Feb 21, 2012
- 27,435
- 2,329
dlc95
Active member
- May 18, 2013
- 6,061
- 19
When I got back into detailing, these were the two products I started with for polishing.
They worked like a charm. Nowhere near as easy to remove the residue, like the Meguiar's products, but equally as potent. I was mildly shocked to see the results they produced.
They worked like a charm. Nowhere near as easy to remove the residue, like the Meguiar's products, but equally as potent. I was mildly shocked to see the results they produced.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 6
I've never used the modern TW compounds and polishes, used the older stuff back in the day.
If you get them, I would strongly recommend doing a Test Spot, that is apply to one small area and then inspect the results before using them over an entire car.
The best color to test products on are dark colors and if you really want to see what's going on then test on black paint and chemically strip the surface and then inspect with a strong light like the Brinkmann Swirl Finder Light.
I can remember numerous times in my life where I've been invited to presentations by companies wanting to show their new compounds and/or polishes and after they do their demonstration out comes some glass cleaner or IPA and a swirl finder light and all of a sudden it's time to go back to the drawing board.
The key to any line of detailing products is the abrasive technology used in the compounds and polishes. Pretty much anyone can introduce a car wash or vinyl protectant, even a wax, (the other products that make up a "line"), but it's the abrasive technology used in the compounds and polishes that are key because most people focus on the paint, not the carpet.
That's not to say that carpet and seats, and tires, etc. are not important and a part of a thorough detail but I've been in this business all my life and the majority of people are focused on making their car look good and that means making the paint look good.
That would include me, I'm more about the paint than the carpet. Heck my last truck had Dyanat for carpet.
If you get them, I would strongly recommend doing a Test Spot, that is apply to one small area and then inspect the results before using them over an entire car.
The best color to test products on are dark colors and if you really want to see what's going on then test on black paint and chemically strip the surface and then inspect with a strong light like the Brinkmann Swirl Finder Light.
I can remember numerous times in my life where I've been invited to presentations by companies wanting to show their new compounds and/or polishes and after they do their demonstration out comes some glass cleaner or IPA and a swirl finder light and all of a sudden it's time to go back to the drawing board.
The key to any line of detailing products is the abrasive technology used in the compounds and polishes. Pretty much anyone can introduce a car wash or vinyl protectant, even a wax, (the other products that make up a "line"), but it's the abrasive technology used in the compounds and polishes that are key because most people focus on the paint, not the carpet.
That's not to say that carpet and seats, and tires, etc. are not important and a part of a thorough detail but I've been in this business all my life and the majority of people are focused on making their car look good and that means making the paint look good.
That would include me, I'm more about the paint than the carpet. Heck my last truck had Dyanat for carpet.