As I mentioned in another thread here, I recently decided to jump on the bandwagon and try a newer technology wax that advertises “ceramic” content.
Im curious about the chemistry of the ceramic component, but that’s for another thread.
For about the last 15 years, I’ve used, exclusively, Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze #26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax (occasionally in conjunction with #7 Show Car Glaze), and Meguiar’s NextGen sealant. And, a couple of times, the old Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax.
I’ve always enjoyed washing and waxing my vehicles, keeping the insides clean, and even gone as far as claying my truck a couple of times in the past, and following it with the old Meguiar’s Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (a mild abrasive product, I believe). The finish looks pretty good, for an almost 14-year-old truck that I’ve daily-driven in Nashville and Memphis that entire time. Of course, it has several dings from parking lots where folks have been nice enough to open their doors into it, and hit the bumpers.
I‘ve never gotten into detailing to the extent that some of you have, though my neighbors find it curious that I wash our vehicles as much as I do (usually wash both trucks about once a week).
Since I found a gallon of #26 on sale about a year or so ago, my routine has been applying it a few times per year, and, in between, using the Turtle Wax “Wax As You Dry” spray as I dry the vehicles after every wash.
However, I got a lot more interested in detailing recently after my wife’s Civic was totaled and we got a new 2021 4Runner. We’re planning to keep it forever, and, of course, I’d like to keep the finish looking as good as possible, so, we’re trying to park it away from other cars in parking lots, etc.
Recently I got a bit frustrated with the Meguiar’s #26 when it seemed to be almost gone from the finish after driving in a heavy rainstorm from Memphis to Nashville for a couple of hours, and the subsequent wash.
So, I decided to try the Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax. I have seen a couple of posts within other threads here specifically about the Liquid version of this, but most of the talk I’ve seen has been about the spray version, so I thought I’d start a thread about the liquid version.
I bought this at Walmart for about $16, which I thought wasn’t bad.
The instructions seemed simple, and, not needing to wait for the product to haze over (they claim you only need a max of about 5 min before wiping) makes it very easy to use.
I washed the 4Runner with Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax, and admittedly I did not do anything to remove any of what was left of the residual #26 or the TW WAYD. So, this may have affected whatever chemical bonding of the SiO2 that is supposed to happen, and, as a result, may negatively affect longevity.
What I had read advised applying it sparingly, which I started out doing with the round microfiber applicator pad, wiping the liquid on with a crosshatch pattern (first wiping one way, then going perpendicular). However, I found that I was able to get a much better coverage after the pad was fairly saturated, and applying a bit more product.
At first, I tried applying and then removing the product one panel at a time (roof and then hood). Then, for the rest of the truck, I decided just to finish applying to the whole truck, and then go back and remove, a panel at a time.
It did not make a difference; the Hybrid Liquid was very, very easy to remove whether I waited 5 minutes or 30 minutes.
I thought the Meguiar’s Hybrid Liquid Wax produced a very good shine and slickness behind. Hard to say if it’s better than the #26 I’ve been used to using. Most experts say that carnauba-based products produce a very warm and deep shine and perhaps leave a deeper layer of product behind, than synthetics, and, therefore, have more visual “depth” than synthetics.
I think I’d have to do 2 vehicles side by side to tell the difference, personally.
As easy as this is to apply (I did what I consider to be a pretty thorough job in less than 1 hour), I think I’ll use it more than I did the #26 (which is, itself, a very nice product to use - easy to apply and remove; just needs a bit more rubbing to remove than this HCLW).
It‘s rained a couple of times since I applied the HCLW earlier this week. I have not washed the 4Runner again since application.
Today, it was doing that light rain/almost misting, and, being daylight overcast, after getting home from the store, I got a good photo example of how it’s beading water on the hood.
It’ll be interesting to see how it lasts.
Since I’ve heard that the HCW spray version can be used while the surface is still wet, I may buy a bottle and use a couple of sprays per panel as I dry after every wash, as a booster, and apply the HCLW maybe every other month or something.
I have wondered why Meguiar’s offered both versions. I can only assume that the HCLW is billed as a longer-lasting product than the HCW spray. Else, why would it exist alongside the spray?
Im curious about the chemistry of the ceramic component, but that’s for another thread.
For about the last 15 years, I’ve used, exclusively, Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze #26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax (occasionally in conjunction with #7 Show Car Glaze), and Meguiar’s NextGen sealant. And, a couple of times, the old Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax.
I’ve always enjoyed washing and waxing my vehicles, keeping the insides clean, and even gone as far as claying my truck a couple of times in the past, and following it with the old Meguiar’s Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (a mild abrasive product, I believe). The finish looks pretty good, for an almost 14-year-old truck that I’ve daily-driven in Nashville and Memphis that entire time. Of course, it has several dings from parking lots where folks have been nice enough to open their doors into it, and hit the bumpers.
I‘ve never gotten into detailing to the extent that some of you have, though my neighbors find it curious that I wash our vehicles as much as I do (usually wash both trucks about once a week).
Since I found a gallon of #26 on sale about a year or so ago, my routine has been applying it a few times per year, and, in between, using the Turtle Wax “Wax As You Dry” spray as I dry the vehicles after every wash.
However, I got a lot more interested in detailing recently after my wife’s Civic was totaled and we got a new 2021 4Runner. We’re planning to keep it forever, and, of course, I’d like to keep the finish looking as good as possible, so, we’re trying to park it away from other cars in parking lots, etc.
Recently I got a bit frustrated with the Meguiar’s #26 when it seemed to be almost gone from the finish after driving in a heavy rainstorm from Memphis to Nashville for a couple of hours, and the subsequent wash.
So, I decided to try the Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax. I have seen a couple of posts within other threads here specifically about the Liquid version of this, but most of the talk I’ve seen has been about the spray version, so I thought I’d start a thread about the liquid version.
I bought this at Walmart for about $16, which I thought wasn’t bad.
The instructions seemed simple, and, not needing to wait for the product to haze over (they claim you only need a max of about 5 min before wiping) makes it very easy to use.
I washed the 4Runner with Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax, and admittedly I did not do anything to remove any of what was left of the residual #26 or the TW WAYD. So, this may have affected whatever chemical bonding of the SiO2 that is supposed to happen, and, as a result, may negatively affect longevity.
What I had read advised applying it sparingly, which I started out doing with the round microfiber applicator pad, wiping the liquid on with a crosshatch pattern (first wiping one way, then going perpendicular). However, I found that I was able to get a much better coverage after the pad was fairly saturated, and applying a bit more product.
At first, I tried applying and then removing the product one panel at a time (roof and then hood). Then, for the rest of the truck, I decided just to finish applying to the whole truck, and then go back and remove, a panel at a time.
It did not make a difference; the Hybrid Liquid was very, very easy to remove whether I waited 5 minutes or 30 minutes.
I thought the Meguiar’s Hybrid Liquid Wax produced a very good shine and slickness behind. Hard to say if it’s better than the #26 I’ve been used to using. Most experts say that carnauba-based products produce a very warm and deep shine and perhaps leave a deeper layer of product behind, than synthetics, and, therefore, have more visual “depth” than synthetics.
I think I’d have to do 2 vehicles side by side to tell the difference, personally.
As easy as this is to apply (I did what I consider to be a pretty thorough job in less than 1 hour), I think I’ll use it more than I did the #26 (which is, itself, a very nice product to use - easy to apply and remove; just needs a bit more rubbing to remove than this HCLW).
It‘s rained a couple of times since I applied the HCLW earlier this week. I have not washed the 4Runner again since application.
Today, it was doing that light rain/almost misting, and, being daylight overcast, after getting home from the store, I got a good photo example of how it’s beading water on the hood.
It’ll be interesting to see how it lasts.
Since I’ve heard that the HCW spray version can be used while the surface is still wet, I may buy a bottle and use a couple of sprays per panel as I dry after every wash, as a booster, and apply the HCLW maybe every other month or something.
I have wondered why Meguiar’s offered both versions. I can only assume that the HCLW is billed as a longer-lasting product than the HCW spray. Else, why would it exist alongside the spray?