Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

[brianshaeffer]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

I've been using Meguiars products since they started showing up in Western PA stores in 1981. Before that, I mostly used Astroshield, which is still available. Until UQD, I've never seen a product bead water as well as Astroshield.

Anyway, over the years I have tried a few products from other manufacturers, mainly Mothers, Eagle One, and Turtle Wax, but now I pretty much don't waste my time with others.

[2KLS1]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

Honestly I don't have brand loyalty. I have a handful of different products from different manufacturers and provably always will. I just get whatever product works well for me and buy it from whoever sells it the cheapest.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

Back in the day my friends and I used whatever we could find at the auto parts store. This was back in the late '70s/early '80s so things like Rain Dance were really big. I then had a long string of company cars so I didn't really worry too much about them.

When I bought my BMW 318i (E30 variant) I started using the Deep Crystal line and really liked it. I continued using this with my next few cars but when I got my PT Turbo I decided to look into something a little "higher end". I ended up going with Zaino and I have to say that, up to that point, it gave me the best results I had ever seen. But that needs to be qualified a bit: I had never used a clay bar before then, and as I look back on things my technique with the DC line was less than stellar. Too much of the wipe on/wipe off mentality. I really wanted to step things up and get a DA polisher, and I was spending a fair amount of time over at Autopia's forum then, but I had heard about Meguiar's Saturday clinics. So I contacted Mike Phillips and set up a clinic for Autopia members. I had been experimenting with some different products at this point - Sonus, Menzerna, Pinnacle - but just didn't get the feeling I was achieving all I could, or should.

At the Meguiar's clinic Mike showed me how to properly use the DA, and I learned a TON of really good info. So I picked up some M80 and some W8006 pads and the rest is history. I finally getting results, and I started going to the (at the time) Wednesday Night open garage sessions, learning even more. I also started to get the feeling that the whole Meguiar's organization valued me as a customer more than any other company I had ever dealt with. And I don't mean just car care products. This is the most customer-centric organization I've ever dealt with. ProFlowers.com comes in a close second, but Meguiar's pulls out all the stops. The fact that their products just plain work doesn't hurt either!

So now, yeah, I'm pretty much a 100% Meguiar's guy.

[Ticman]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

When I first started out when I was about 10 years old (now 16) I used to just use what ever my dad had. Then I started getting stuff from Auto-Zone and Wal-Mart, but it was still Armor All, Turtle Wax and Black Magic. Then once I did the Meguiar's RX thing on their website I started using Meguiar's because thats all the "prescription" called for. Then I found the forum and I still use Meguiar's and pretty much all Meguiar's.

Why?
In my opinion there isn't one single car car prodcut company out there that has the same features as Meguiar's:
1. An online forum that's family friendly and will help you answer almost any question and we all have a good time. It's always nice to spend time on here.
2. A product line that includes almost any thing you need for car detailing, from accessories to actual products.
a. Every product in their lines works great and is reasonably priced (almost to cheap for what you get)
b. Every product works well with one another
c. Every product has a pleasant smell and great appearance (bottles)
3. A customer care team that actually does care and wants to help you out and solve that shipping issue or what not
4. A open garage that is open almost every weekend and through many months during the week to get help and just hang out.

If you can find another company that has those features, I'll switch to them, but I haven't even seen a company come close to the way Meguiar's does things!!

Great job Meguiar's!!!

Ryan

Very well put Ryan!!

My Dad always used Meguiar's in his body and detail shop. I have used Megs products for about 40 years and if they give the results you want why change now? LOL!! You always know what to expect and if you have a problem you can get help very quickly, by phone or forum.

Tic

[Lydia]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

Ever since I was a kid, my Dad always taught me that cars need to be waxed (and he understood clear coats need to be waxed). Once or twice a year, we would pull the van into the shade, wash it with Dawn or Simple Green in one gallon of water using an old sponge (and I'm one who tends to think if some is good, more should be better so I would put a lot of Dawn or Simple Green in the water), dry it with bath towels, and slap on a coat of Turtle Wax. My Dad would help me out with it because once I put the TW on (wayyy too thick), it was too hard for me to get off. I got to hand it to Dad though. At least he taught me to take care of cars' paint. Then one day I was cleaning up someone's Gold Wing for them. I needed something to put on the seat, so I went to Walmart. It was either Mother's leather stuff, or some leather cleaner/conditioner with a funny sounding name (Megee-ers? Megwee-ers? Meg-u-wee-ers?). I chose the stuff with the funny sounding name. That's how I heard of Meguiar's in the first place. Then one day my sister showed me the RX car care thing. I did that and then went to this forum. The rest is history. I bought ScratchX, DC #1, #2, and #3, and did my sister's car (I can't recall for sure why I did my sister's car...I'm pretty sure when I was filling out the RX thing, I was filling it out for my truck, but I didn't do my truck until months later). I ScratchXed most of my sister's Mazda 626, then used DC #1 on most of it (yeah, even the stuff I'd ScratchXed), DC #2 on some of it (I was getting tired), and DC #3 on all of it over a two day span. I gotta say it looked pretty sweet. Now my sisters borrow my stuff to do their cars, and my Dad is starting to use Meguiar's too. He uses QD on his bike all the time (rarely washes it now even!), and I got him to get one of the Ultimate Kits because I'm trying to get him hooked on UQD. He's also hooked on Hot Rims Aluminum and Mag Polish, because it did such a good job on his bike's rims (he didn't even think they would shine up at all!). Then last week I used PlastX with the G100 (and three inch pads) on the windshield on his bike (which was pretty scratched and hazed...was being the key word), and put NXT 2.0 on top. He loved it.

Sorry for the long story...you asked!! (Ok, so maybe you didn't ask for that long of an answer). And yes I mainly use Meg's now. I use a Mother's Power Ball, and I think the rest is all Meg's.

[MoJam]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

I started out using turtle wax and armour- all because that's what my dad used. I didn't like the results. No matter how much I buffed(by hand) the paint was still smeary-looking and the vinyl was all greasy.
I decided to try something different after buying an '88 Ford Bronco II back in '93.
'nuff said
Meg's all the way!

[MBA-J]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

I bought a brand new 2002 Honda Accord back in 2001, and the detailer used all Megs products when performing the new car detail. Although I was hooked, being the inquisitive consumer that I am, I decided to try out other products.

My brother is a BMW connoisseur, being the owner of both a e30 M3 and a e34 M5. He uses Zymol cleaner wax and The Wax Shop Slick Stuff spray detailer with amazing results. However, in attempt to out shine him, I went on the product hunt.

The first wax I used was a Black Magic product, and I wasn't thrilled with the durability of this product. After that, I used the Eagle One product with similar results. Nevertheless, I thought I'd hit the jackpot with Turtle Wax Ice liquid wax, but their "liquid clay bar" wasn't up to snuff, and by this time, I'd become hooked on the Meguiars Hot Shine tire dressing.

After looking to get consistent results, I went all-Meguiar's when I purchased the Quick Clay, DC1, DC2, and original NXT. Nirvana! Then I found an old bottle of #6 that the Honda dealer had given me, and went to town on my Honda Passport! Great work!

Now I'm a Gold Class wash, Quick Clay, ScratchX/DC1, #7/DC2, NXT/2.0/#6, UQD/NXT Insane Shine/#40/Hot Shine product using fool!

I must admit that I'm still impressed by the Ice spray detailer, but the UQD results I've achieved at the same price point will prompt me to use UQD exclusively from now on.

Admittedly, the help I've received here on the Megs forums is further encouragement for me to fully support the brand.

Thanks folks!

[thecarguy]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

The first products that I ever used were called Pro . That is what the owner of the first detail shop that I worked at used . When I became the detail shop manager for a local car dealership , I switched to Auto Glym . I used it for years , even after I left the car dealer and started my own shop . Then I started to get sinus troubles and nose bleeds every time I used the products . I had been using them for 12 years and started to feel crappy after I used the products . I then switched to 3M for a short while , then Mothers . I now use a combination that seems to give me good results . I use Norton Liquid Ice for any cutting with the rotary and use my new favorite , NXT for the final . If my parts house would ever start carrying more Megs product , I would switch over fully .

I also used to use Liquid Glass as my final finish , that stuff was great .

[Raymond]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

I used to use more products from Turtle Wax, but also had some from Mothers, Eagle 1, and Black Magic.

The first Meguiars product I purchased and used was Gold Class liquid wax, and now I'd say 95% of my detailing supplies are Meguiars products. I have yet to buy a Meguiars product that didn't 100% satisfy what I needed it for. Can't say the same for the other brands.

[Brents Classic Custom Detail]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

WE HAVE SEEN OTHER BRANDS THAT WERE USED ON OTHER CARS. MEGUIARS HAS OUT PREFORMED THEM 2-1, HANDS DOWN. IT IS WHAT MAKES THIS SHOP SO WELL LIKED. WE WILL NEVER USE ANOTHER BRAND!

[CarbonBlack]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

I use mostly meguiars, but I have other brands as well.
I use the "cheap" stuff on freebie details (friends, extended family, neighbors)
The good stuff I selfishly save for the details that matter (MY STUFF, paying customers, etc).

If I had to only use one brand I would undoubtedly pick Meguiars, because it is superior in quality, relatively cheap for what you get, the Meguiar's family/support is second to none, and it smells great.

There are some non meguiars products I really like
but I can't count 100% of those companies products.

Meguiars is best

-nick

[sneek]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

I have been around the block. Started with Turtle and Mothers. Meguair's came into the equation with word of mouth. Started using Meguair's in maybe 2005 ish. Probably just around the time I joined this forum. I was lured away by lots of products, Optimum, Menzerna, Blackfire, 1Z...etc, list goes on. One thing I have learned is Meguiar's consistently delivers.

[Flame Suit on] I used optimum for a while, no dusting and lots of lube is nice, but the finishing ability on darker colours just isnt there. The clarity just isn't as nice as some other polishes. Menzerna...It has tons and tons of clarity, but finicky if it is too hot or too cold. I don't want to have to check the weather report before polishing my car. It gets in the way. I want a product to do its job when I need the job done. I still love their finishing polish...but now I am lost by all the numbers and such! Blackfire was a bit better than Menzerna IMO because it dusted a bit less, but quite expensive. 1Z was a gooder for a while, but tends to be finicky as well, it is well priced, and does it's job...but sometimes the dusting kills you
plus It smells like you are inhaling gas.


I am not saying Meguiar's has a perfect line up. I never really liked NXT...I wished Gold Class had more durability. I wish M21 V1 was more stable. I wish M83 could be used with more aggressive pads without dusting. Here is where I am sold on Meguiar's. It delivers 98% of the time, being pretty consistant with results. M83 still would **** working in the sun though. The price is very good, side by side Meguiar's keeps up with the best of them. It doesn't need to be hyped, it is almost underrated. The CS is probably second to none. Let's just say there is a good reason this company has been around for 100+ years, they deliver on their claims, they keep up with R&D, and they create products that aren't just all hype. That is how you do good business.

[Mosca]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

If no one minds my adding an essay to an older post, I'd like to add my $.02.

I started serious detailing about 7 years ago. I was what you might call an "attitude guy"; I had the Pinnacle Souveran, and some Menzerna polishes, and my PC7424, and some microfiber towels. I thought I was really the cat's pajamas. I had this whole thing figured out; THIS wax was better than THAT wax, THIS product was better because you had to get it over the internet, THAT product stinks because it's commonly available... yeah, I had it all figured out.

Then I decided that I was going to find out what all the differences were, between and among all the products that were out there. I thought about it for a while, trying to figure out how to relate things. If someone were to do a comprehensive review and analysis of all the products, the first thing someone needs is a baseline, right? I mean, what product, or product line, could serve as the standard, so that I could say that something is better or worse compared to it? I decided that Meguiar's was the most comprehensive product line. I could say that something was as good as, or better, or not as good as, Meguiar's, and everyone would understand. So, I decided to buy a few Meguiar's products and see what happened.

Maybe it was just luck... maybe it was fate. But the very first Meguiar's product I tried on my Classic Red Miata was #26 High Tech Yellow Wax. I got it cheap, too; maybe $5 for the can. Later on I would get 5 cans for $5. But whatever. The price is important because I was really married to that $70 can of Pinnacle Souveran. Like I said, I was the guy, I was the man, I was the one with the perfect shine!

The #26 just walked all over that Souveran. Souv is great. It smells great; it goes on easy and comes off smooth. It looks great. But #26 looked deeper, wetter, and more reflective. It was obvious. And I started laughing. I was laughing at myself, because right then and there, I knew. I knew that quality isn't in the price. It is in the product. And that I was making a mistake in trusting others' opinions; there is only one opinion that matters to me, and that is MINE.

What happened, as I worked my way through the Meguiar's line, is that I got results. That was all that mattered. The idea of trying all the other products fell by the wayside. Other products became irrelevant. I became comfortable with the actions of the products I knew best, the ones in the brown bottles. As I expanded from the PC to the rotary, I stayed with the products that I knew were predictable, that would give me the results I expected. After accumulating a collection of pads from many different manufacturers, about 5 years ago I went 100% Meg's. It's simpler; only 3 colors to remember.

Recently, for a number of reasons I had to dial back my detailing fanaticism, and I discovered the beauty of the Consumer Line. For the guy who has a car in near-new condition and who wants to maintain it in as little time as possible, products such as A12 Cleaner Wax, Color X, Gold Class and NXT are PERFECT. It's all about controlling touches and controlling swirl buildup. The Professional and Detailer lines have nothing on the Consumer line; and in many ways, the Consumer line is the better choice for, well... a consumer. You can keep you car looking great and well protected without ordering through the internet... you can do it with the stuff off the shelf from Peps.

Sure, other stuff works, and works well. It's hardly true that all Meg's cars look great, and all other cars look bad, after all! But I can depend on the name that I've come to trust, I can depend on the results I get from Meguiar's. And the only opinion that matters to me, is mine.

[keesue]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

I started with Meguiar's with my first new car many years ago. All the old schoolers used the line. I left the hobby of detailing as time and priorities changed. I recently returned with the purchase of my Yaris. I took the recommendation of the Yaris owner's site and tried Turtlewax ICE. I wasn't happy with the constant application, even though it was simple.

I stumbled on to one of the other detailing forums and took a tour of the boutique products popular with the crowd. Then I found MOL, bought the Meguiar's professional line and have stayed put ever since. I found the boutique products to perform well but I find the performance of Meguiar's to be predictable, cost-effective and most important, visually satisfying. I'm now stuck with the 'boutique products' but what the heck, its just a hobby. I use them to polish my bicycles and my friends bikes as well. We have the cleanest road and off road bikes around.

I just used NXT 2.0 paste for the first time and the finish is pristine. I have in my arsenal #83, #80, #26 and tins of #16/#26, some #20/#21 and most of the detailer line for cleaning and maintenance tasks. My favorite 'sleeper' product is Xpress Wax. Easy to use and keeps the foundation 'up to snuff' in between full details.

Like Justin, I simply returned home.

[SHYNEMAN123]

Re: Have you been always using Meguiar's and why?

I Have Been Using Meguiar's For 28 Years And Am Very Greatful For What I Have Learned From Them And All The Friends I Have Made From Detailing. The Only Time I Have Strayed Is When It Comes To There Compounds. I Hate To Say It But I Have Had Better Results With 3m But Everything Else Is Meguiar's All The Way. I Have Tested #1 #2 #4 #84 #85 And # 105 On All Types Of Finishes And Side By Side 3m Super Duty,micro Finish And Extra Cut 06060 Cut Faster With Less Dusting And Give Better Clairty Of The Paint Before Polishing And I Have Never Used A Better Polish Than Meguiar's Other Than A Briff Issue With #9 Years Ago

Sorry Guys Just Being Honest

I Am Keeping The Faith That Some Day I Will Send 3m Packing And Will Continue To Keep Testing.