[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

The following is an excerpt of a 3-5-04 post made by the technical specialist at Meguiar’s Online, Mike Phillips.

…When you apply a Meguiar's polish, the trade secret oils found in all Meguiar’s polishes, (and even Meguiar’s compounds, cleaner/polishes and even some waxes), penetrate into the paint and replace the original resins, (or oils), that have been broken-down, leached out and/or deteriorated. These trade secret oils then act to fill the empty microscopic pores, air pockets and surface imperfections thus preventing unwanted substances from entering into these areas.


…2) They replace and replenish the oils/resins originally present in your car’s paint


…Meguiar’s unique background and close relationships with giants in both the automotive paint industry and new car manufactures, (for about as long as these two industries have been around), should give you the confidence you need to enable you to place your trust in Meguiar’s, the surface care experts.

Mike Phillips
Technical Specialist
1-800-854-8073 ext. 189
mphillips@meguiars.com

"Find something you like and use it often"

Jack Anderson
Paint Instructor for the PPG paint company

When I first read this article I thought, “Wow, these guys have products that will, in their words, replace and replenish the original oils/resins in my paint. Then I started thinking. Being a believer in Meguiar’s, my trusted surface care experts would never lead me astray or to educate me with twisted meanings or untruths. I would expect good clear and concise language. It seemed to me that some of the information in this article was a little far fetched.

My research started and the first call went to Dupont’s tech department, my second call to BASF’s tech department and third to PPG’s tech department. The questions: Can a wax or polish replace and or replenish the oils/resins in paint? Can a wax or polish penetrate the surface and replace the original oils/resins that have broken down, leached out and/or deteriorated? I then placed calls to the top wax and polish manufacturers and then to their raw material suppliers. My research and consulting background has given me a set of tools not available to most people. It’s amazing the amount of information available if you know where to look. Out of respect for the manufacturers I will not divulge very much specific information at this time.

Basically all three paint manufacturers came back with the same answer. The general consensus is wax or polish cannot penetrate into the paint surface. At best, a wax or polish can remove minor imperfections and lay on the surface to provide a semi-permanent coating that can fill minor defects but in no way can replace anything that has leached out of the paint. Materials that leach out of paint do so by design and are never to be replaced. If the items that leached out of paint were replaced you would not have a viable permanent coating.

PPG was the only paint company that asked why and where. When I told them I heard it from Meguiar’s and Meguiar’s apparently had an alignment with PPG they responded with, “we have no alignment with that company.” We recommend 3M products for color sand and buff for both refinish and OEM applications.

As far as the wax and polish manufacturers go. I received a number of interesting comments from my questions. A couple of them went into great detail about their product and what it was capable of. Some of it was so crazy you’d think they were trying to convince me that pigs could fly. My conversations were full of both good and bad information. So much so they need to be posted individually though most were a little self-serving and twisted information similar to Mike’s article.

This little project consumed me for some time since the 3-5-04 post. Generally I do not participate in these forums, I’m like Jimmy Swaggert and like to watch. But I think it time to join in the fun. I have learned a great deal about paints, how to care for them and a great deal about the raw materials that go into waxes and polishes. I am a car nut as well.

Through the years I have learned the strength of the written word and one thing we have to realize is that Mike Phillips has the power of the pen! He has a powerful brand behind him that automatically gives him, for the lack of a better term, God-like status in the wax and polish community. With this power he can choose educate and give to the greater good or not. The way words in this article are manipulated puts a big “?” behind the phrase, “Trusted Surface Care Experts!”


Giuseppe Pepperoni
Sometimes you’re the bug!
Sometimes you’re the windshield!

[johnlondonw3]

So Giuseppe,having done the research whats the best polish to create a deep shine and protect the surface...no if or buts allowed !

[Paul]

I don't know about those claims, but I've used various different products over the years, and now I'm stuck on Meguiars as I've found it to be an extremely good range of products, the only thing I don't like is their "microfibre drying towel", but apart from that I've only been impressed.

[ABG]

Wow that is a long post - and I bet of real use to someone .

But I'm one stage above using washing up liquid so I'm not too worried. IMO the best way to keep your paintwork looking like new is to buy new MINIs on a regular basis

[Wul]

But then what do you expect from someone who works for a brand? I'm sure we can find many similar examples of this in all sorts of markets. If you read the forums on autopia then you will see Mike get "roasted" on there for being biased to Meguiars - he's not about to commit career suicide and start recommending Zaino and the like!

As for the tech stuff - it's usually all jargon to make you think the product is the absolute best there is.

At the end of the day you try something - if you like it you use it, if you don't you vote with your feet and try another. I like Paul use meguiars on my mini - a new car doesn't need oils replaced or the likes - perhaps a lot of Mikes comments were aimed at classic car care - but then the full context of the information is not known.

Anyway all i can say is the new meguiars range of polymer waxes work well on my black MINI.

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

Johnlondonw3, the point isn’t what is best nor does it make sense to put myself in the position of picking one brand. That would defeat the purpose. The point in this case is the position they take as surface care experts. The claims made that are incorrect. If your bank only gave you 4 20’s for 100 you wouldn’t put up with it simply because they are a bank and an expert with money. Wul, no offense, took the bait and said my new car doesn’t need the oils replaced. Meguiar’s 1, consumer 0!
An extreme example: Look at Phillip Morris. They told people smoking was safe. They were the experts back then. I know this is just a car but the premise is the same.

Giuseppe

[ScottyG]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

I don't know about those claims, but I've used various different products over the years, and now I'm stuck on Meguiars as I've found it to be an extremely good range of products, the only thing I don't like is their "microfibre drying towel", but apart from that I've only been impressed.

Where do you get this Meguiars stuff from? I've read alot about it on this site and i'd like to give it a go. I'm an Autoglym kinda chap at the mo but i could be converted!

[JG.26]

I have generally used Autoglym for many years and have been happy with it. At present I'm using Meguires Gold Class and don't really see any benefit over any other wax etc. I think it depends on the colour of the paintwork, I have the pure silver, probably not the best colour to compare waxes. The only thing I don't like with Meguires is it's a pain to buff off as it dries to a sticky residue. Certainly doesn't polish off as well as Autoglym which dries better but tends to powder, so it's swings and roundabouts. I Personally don't think there is much difference between any wax polishes in terms of shine and protection. Some may last better than others before reapplication but thats about it. What I would be interested in is having a free sample of Zymol and giving that a try!! I bet there wouldn't be that much difference with a bottle of £7 Autoglym. I couldn't believe the prices when browsing the Zymol website!!! Has anyone used this stuff and justify the expense????

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

Meguiars 2, consumer 0

[ScottyG]

Quote: Originally Posted by Penguinblue

I have generally used Autoglym for many years and have been happy with it. At present I'm using Meguires Gold Class and don't really see any benefit over any other wax etc. I think it depends on the colour of the paintwork, I have the pure silver, probably not the best colour to compare waxes. The only thing I don't like with Meguires is it's a pain to buff off as it dries to a sticky residue. Certainly doesn't polish off as well as Autoglym which dries better but tends to powder, so it's swings and roundabouts. I Personally don't think there is much difference between any wax polishes in terms of shine and protection. Some may last better than others before reapplication but thats about it. What I would be interested in is having a free sample of Zymol and giving that a try!! I bet there wouldn't be that much difference with a bottle of £7 Autoglym. I couldn't believe the prices when browsing the Zymol website!!! Has anyone used this stuff and justify the expense????

You can get Zymol in Halfords, haven't used it myself but remember it was about the same price as Autoglym. Where did you get your Meguires from?

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

Yeah, it certainly is expensive. When I tried it they suggested using you hand to apply. So I gave it a try on my show car. Found my hand was more abrasive than an applicator and put scratches all over the car. Took me a day with a buffer to fix it. I guess if I wasn't mechanically inclined my hands would be much smoother. Plus the finish was a little greasy for my taste.

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

I used to get it from local stores and freebies from a few shows I've attended.

[JG.26]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyG

You can get Zymol in Halfords, haven't used it myself but remember it was about the same price as Autoglym. Where did you get your Meguires from?

Hi Scotty,

I ordered the Meguires from their website, I can't remember their webb address now sorry but just do a Google search on Meguires Polishes and it should come up with their UK outlet. I ordered the Gold class Wax, shampoo, interior and exterior trim polish and would recomend the wool wash mit, much better than a sponge. Their delivery time is excellent usually 2 days, hope that helps.

[LMB]

I only use Meguiars to 'Protect' my paint work rather than 'Repair' it. I have no idea how effective it is, but I spent a lot of money on my Mini so I don't mind spending some to try and keep it looking new.

[SteveM3]

This all sounds like the expected industry ********. That's why word of mouth
forums like MINI2 are so good as results count more than fancy words. I'll be
cleaning with Zymol Car Shampoo, protecting with Autoglym Extra Gloss
Protection and using Meguiars Hot Rims on my wheels. Brand loyalty has
yet to get to me. I don't think in the end it makes much difference, Zymol
Meguiars, Autoglym, Zaino and all with a following will do a good job they
just aren't the perfect solutions claimed. But we never believed that did we.
Good research though, nice to see the paint companys perspective.

[Giuseppe Pepperoni]

I guess the next question is why support a company that slings poo (my daughter's listening) when there are so many others out there that will perform the same.

[Olly.]

[pnut_jet]

I've used both Zaino and Meguiar's NXT. I like both. But Meguiar's is cheaper per bottle, easier to get, quicker to apply and does just as good a job, if not better. I think they both last about the same amount of time, but that point is moot since I wax often.

Zaino, compared to other Meguiar's waxes, is the better product. It's the new NXT that's comparable to Zaino. It just came out in February in the US, don't know if it's out in the UK yet.

All you can really expect is a 'temporary' thin coat of protection from daily grime, dirt, bugsplats, etc., and a good shine. If it's easy to apply, doesn't leave swirling, and makes you happy, then use it. But whatever you use, use it often!

[CooperMax]

Quote: Originally Posted by ScottyG

Where do you get this Meguiars stuff from? I've read alot about it on this site and i'd like to give it a go. I'm an Autoglym kinda chap at the mo but i could be converted!

Either from Meguiars main site...

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/

Or from here - "Serious Performance" - very good service, quick, and free p&p...

http://www.demomedia.co.uk/sp/index.php


I use nothing other than Meguiars on my cars now - no reservations about any of their products, including the new NXT wax.

[Wul]

CooperMax - the SP website is good and their service is excellent - Alex gave me a free sample of NXT too! Great range of MF cloths etc as well as all the Megs professional range - I believe megs #16 wax is supposed to be amazing over NXT.