Old Meguiar's 3 step Clean, polish, wax. I have never found a replacement!

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Showing my age but does anyone remember this old Meguiar's 3 bottle pack that was sold at Walmart 20+/- years ago for I think $15 at the time.
Well that was years ago and I have spent the last 20 years searching for a replacement trying so many products and brands and can't find an exact replacement!

Ohh yes I have products from other brands or mixing brands that get me close but I still have the same black 30 year old Harley and something was special about the makeup of this old 3 pack. The black was just a tiny bit blacker or a tiny bit deeper with that old school product. I have contacted Meguir's and was no help...

Based on me using many Meguiars newer and professional products I can't find anything that gives the same shine..
And that shine was done by hand no pro tools required. Perhaps it had a chemical that actually worked thats now banned?

Anyone old enough to have used this three pack and any suggestions on a modern replacement?

I feel the modern replacements are perhaps not as aggressive with the modern clear coating that was not the case 25 years ago?

What I have been using and does good but I miss my old 3 pack!

 

[thastinger]

Yeah, the ol clay bar, followed by swirl remover and topped with yellow #26 wax. All day event but looked great.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I haven't been on it forever. https://www.autopia.org/ might have some insights. I know they have "black" waxes that help with some things. Some of the different final gloss things add but don't last.

I recall using a liquid Gliptone thing on a black car in showroom at dealer I was working part time. It made it like 4 shades deeper black. That was also over 40 years ago.

After a while with all the correction stuff it may be getting thinner and less depth. Getting rid of swirls gets rid of paint.

 

[Hirev]

Try Meguiar's Synthetic X-Press Spray Wax much less work and last much longer than any carnauba wax I ever tried.

 

[Devo242]

Mother’s California Gold Ultimate Wax System 3 step is still available I believe.

I have always had very nice results when using their products.

 

[82StudebakerDaytona]

Pan the Organizer did a comparison test.



Back in 1967-70 I rubbed the paint off the trunk of my 1962 Daytona. Past wax was hard as concrete back then.

 

[rszappa1]

Showing my age but does anyone remember this old Meguiar's 3 bottle pack that was sold at Walmart 20+/- years ago for I think $15 at the time.
Well that was years ago and I have spent the last 20 years searching for a replacement trying so many products and brands and can't find an exact replacement!

Ohh yes I have products from other brands or mixing brands that get me close but I still have the same black 30 year old Harley and something was special about the makeup of this old 3 pack. The black was just a tiny bit blacker or a tiny bit deeper with that old school product. I have contacted Meguir's and was no help...

Based on me using many Meguiars newer and professional products I can't find anything that gives the same shine..
And that shine was done by hand no pro tools required. Perhaps it had a chemical that actually worked thats now banned?

Anyone old enough to have used this three pack and any suggestions on a modern replacement?

I feel the modern replacements are perhaps not as aggressive with the modern clear coating that was not the case 25 years ago?


View attachment 351273



What I have been using and does good but I miss my old 3 pack!

View attachment 351274

Remember the old Blue Corral three step system.....It took most of a Saturday to do it....

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I have always had (2) goals in mind when it comes to detailing things that go fast on wheels...

I own Harley Motorcycles vintage to new and one I purchased new 30 years ago and the black paint still looks new because she gets 1-2 full detail, polish, wax jobs per year by me, her owner... My motorcycles live in a garage when I'm not riding so I may get caught in the rain from time to time but my detail goal with a motorcycle is NOT the same as one example a new Ram 3500 limited, beautiful truck but is always parked outside in the elements.

Goal with black motorcycles a wet, deep, black finish as reflective as a bathroom mirror.
My cars and trucks exposed to the elements as close to my motorcycle goals but with the need for more protection from the elements.

I learned in the 80's a Carnauba wax LOOKS Best on black and dark colors after a polish but would only last 30 days if the truck / car ever seen a rain storm when some other brands of polish / wax / polymers may last 3, 6 moths up to a year, I think Nu Finish lasted ( never use it as those TV spots put me off but looking back was some truth in that advertising ) I was always a fan of that expensive Liquid Glass and used my last can of the original Liquid Glass and the special version that was over $100 a can on my then new 2015 SRT Hellcat!

The older I get the more my Harley bikes get the love vs ny cars and trucks, My Ram I paid to have Ceramic and a clear bra installed nut my motorcycles are VERY personal and we spend lots of time together working on that shine! My motorcycles get a Spring and Fall deep cleaning, a deep paint and chrome detail, lots of polish, prep and yes my old school Carnauba wax! The fast the WAX won't last is no issue as it gets wax again before its needed.

My 30 year old gas tank, polished an average of 2x a year so 60 wax jobs give or take, paint has not aged a day...

I'm using the same polish / Carnauba Wax process on my NEW 2023 as I have my 1997 changing brands products when I must but always a top coat of Meguiar's Carnauba WAX.

30 year old Carnauba maintained paint

2 Year old Carnauba Maintained Paint

 

[doverlabs]

The good old days. There are some nifty products in the Meguiars line up and the old faithful is there. It just isn’t explicit like it used to be - also, they shut down Meguiars Online which was the best source of truth since BS popped up so often about Meguiars on “pro” forums like autopia.

 

[Dr Oldz]

Go buy yourself a bottle of 3D Speed. It will do what those 3 did in one easy step. If you want longer protection, top it with 3D bead it up or TW Pure Beads.

 

[Spring Break '92]

Go buy yourself a bottle of 3D Speed. It will do what those 3 did in one easy step. If you want longer protection, top it with 3D bead it up or TW Pure Beads.

How long does that sealant last in the 3D Speed? I was going to try Backfire One Step next after what I am currently using runs out.

 

[Spring Break '92]

View attachment 351273

They still make and sell the carnauba wax. I just bought some online and used it today, in fact.

 

[Dr Oldz]

How long does that sealant last in the 3D Speed? I was going to try Backfire One Step next after what I am currently using runs out.

It’s a loaded question. Basically depends on your environment. But Typically any all in one product is a month ish. Topping it like I said will extend that number. BF One Step is also great. Very similar to 3D speed if not the same with a different scent. I detail professionally and use both products. I buy whatever one is cheaper in gallons when I need to replenish.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

They still make and sell the carnauba wax. I just bought some online and used it today, in fact.

I do still use the Carnauba thats made today, Im using the pro Mequiar's version ( Found a Harbor Freight ) , its still yellow like that old Carnauba ( step #3 old red bottle ) can't say the Carnauba is different as it smells the same, yellow, looks the same, Im guessing its those old step #1 cleaner and #2 polish that I'm having a hard time finding a direct replacement.

I'm getting good results using the Chemical Guys compound and polish then Carnauba top coat and I tried a few Mequiar's newer pro products ( compounding / polish etc ) but could never hone in on a direct replacement of that old, simple $15 Walmart 3 pack from so many years ago. The kit was simply PERFECT for my black bikes.

To be clear, as much of a fan I am of Carnauba, even 20 years ago I found Carnauba lacking if one expects much if any protection from the elements as on a car, a few rain showers and its gone, NO bead at all! but on a black Harley that will see little rain, something very special about a properly polished then coated with Carnauba!

The only actual so called wax I ever found that would last was ( Showing my age ) the 1980's blue can of paste Rain Dance! It would last almost a year on my old 74 Toyota that was always parked outside, rain would bead almost a year as I remember.

 

[trd1zz]

Looks like they discontinued the kit for some reason, but you can buy each separate. Careful with the compound on old paint.