FAQs

Meguiar's offers a variety of products to meet the wide ranging needs of demanding users. Whether you are a do it yourself enthusiast or a highly trained professional, Meguiar's has a selection of products, pads and accessories that will solve your every need. To help choose the best product, call our Solutions Hub @ 800-347-5700 6 days a week, or utilize our Product Advisor.

What is the best wax to protect my new car?

If you are looking for "best protection", then an advanced synthetic polymer product like Meguiar's Ultimate Wax will give you the best protection.

How do I remove small scratches and swirl marks?

Whether you are working by hand, orbital or DA Polisher, swirls and scratches can be removed easily using a clear coat safe "paint cleaner" like Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. Never use harsh traditional style compounds, as they can damage / haze a modern clear coat finish.

What do I need to do to clean/prep my paint before waxing?

Prior to waxing, wash and dry your car thoroughly, then inspect the surface by using your eyes and hands. If the finish feels rough, Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit will be the best solution prior to waxing. If the finish has swirls, oxidation and/or stains, Meguiar's Ultimate Compound will be the best choice prior to waxing. In some cases, a car may need both the Smooth Surface Clay Kit AND Ultimate Compound prior to waxing.

What kind of towel should I be using to remove polishes and waxes?

A clean, dry Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel is always recommended for removing polishes and waxes.

Is a liquid, paste or spray wax best?

A liquid or paste wax will give the best protection and is simply a matter of preference. Spray waxes are great when you are short on time and also act as a great "booster wax".

How do I remove water spots?

The best solution for removing water spots on paint and even on glass is Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. To avoid water spots, always wash and dry your car in the shade and make sure the surface is cool to the touch.

How do you restore dull headlights?

For light to moderate damage, Meguiar's One Step Headlight Restoration Kit is the best choice. For moderate to severe damage, Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit is the best choice. For long term clarity, use Meguiar's Keep Clear Headlight Coating to help keep them looking like new and well protected from harmful UV rays.

What should I use to clean my wheels?

First, determine what type of wheels you have in order to use the correct wheel cleaner. For chrome wheels, Meguiar's Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner is the best choice. For "factory" painted or clear coated wheels, Meguiar's Hot Rims Wheel & Tire Cleaner is the best solution. For aluminum, anodized or you are not sure of the type of wheels you have, Meguiar's Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner or Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner would be the best choice.

What do I use on the black trim of my car?

A long lasting "protectant" like Meguiar's Ultimate Black is the best product. To ensure longevity, clean the surface thoroughly using a safe vinyl cleaner prior to applying Ultimate Protectant.

Will clay remove swirls marks?

No, clay will not remove swirls marks. Clay is designed to create a smooth surface by removing overspray, fallout and other above surface contaminants that are bonded to the surface prior to polishing and/or waxing a vehicle.

How often should I “wax” my car?

For maximum protection against harmful environmental elements, we recommend waxing your car 3-4 / year. To help extend your wax protection, always use a wash designed for automotive use like Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax. Using household detergents will only strip wax protection and promote oxidation.

How should I care for the finish of my brand-new boat or RV?

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is especially true for boats and RV's. Washing and waxing a new boat or RV is easy and will make ongoing maintenance much easier. Wash your boat or RV frequently with a wash specially formulated for gel coat. Regular household detergents, if used, will strip your wax protection and accelerate oxidation. Wax your new boat or RV immediately with a high quality wax formulated for gel coat surfaces, then at the beginning and ending of each season to keep it looking sharp and its finish protected.

How do I restore an oxidized finish on my boat or RV?

Oxidation occurs when environmental exposure dries out the gel coat, causing it to lose both color and gloss. It is necessary to remove the entire dead gel coat before lasting high gloss can be restored.

Lightly oxidized gel coat can be easily restored with a liquid, non-abrasive cleaner/wax such as Meguiar's No. 50 Cleaner Wax. Unlike most cleaners, this one-step product cleans chemically without using harsh abrasives. This is the only product a properly maintained gel coat will ever need.

Moderate to heavily oxidized gel coat will require more intense measures. Depending on the severity, the object is to remove the layer of oxidized gel coat which will require a cleaner or compound. After the oxidation has been removed, follow with a high gloss polish to restore gloss, and then a long-lasting wax to protect the newly restored finish. A simple, 3-step system can be found in Meguiar's Fiberglass Restoration System, which includes a cleaner, polish and wax.

How should I clean vinyl on my boat?

Vinyl surfaces such as seats, pads, sidewalls, fenders, rub rails, etc. are constantly exposed to the elements. If they are not properly cared for, they can deteriorate and become unattractive. It's important to clean your vinyl often to remove ingrained dirt and grime with a product like Meguiar's No. 57 Vinyl/Rubber Cleaner & Protectant. Heavily soiled surfaces might require a stronger cleaner and scrubbing with a nylon brush. Vinyl also needs protection from the elements such as the sun's ultraviolet rays. It's important to frequently apply a vinyl protectant to keep the surface from fading and cracking.

What is the difference between automotive waxes and Marine/RV waxes?

Meguiar's Marine/RV products are specially formulated for gel coat and linear polyurethane (LP) surfaces, which are chemically different than automotive paints. Modern gel coats and LP coatings are harder and more water resistant than automotive paints. Their unique chemical compositions demand special ingredients that are specific to these marine uses and formulated for use in marine environments. Automotive products, although safe, will not achieve the same high quality results on boats or RVs.

How do I clean clear plastic surfaces including Eisenglass and Plexiglas?

Clear plastic surfaces such as windshields, bridge enclosures, dodgers, cockpit curtains and portholes are easily scratched and dulled, obscuring visibility. This problem is aggravated when the wrong cleaning products are used. To restore clarity to dull and scratched surfaces, it is essential to use a cleaner specially made for clear plastic surfaces. Meguiar's has developed very effective plastic cleaners (Meguiar's Clear Plastic Cleaner and Meguiar's PLASTX™) that remove scratches without causing scratching themselves. They are even safe on delicate LEXAN® polycarbonates as well as PLEXIGLAS® acrylic surfaces. To help protect against re-scratching, apply a safe polish like Meguiar's Clear Plastic Polish frequently. This will help to keep the surface protected against the elements.

How do I maintain the appearance of the brightwork on my boat?

The metal surfaces on your boat are extremely important in your maintenance program. Rusting and corrosion not only destroy the appearance and performance of metal parts, but also stain surrounding surfaces. To clean all metals including chrome, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and magnesium, Meguiar's makes an All Metal Polish that cleans and brightens the surface and applies a light layer of protection from corrosion. Special care should be given to aluminum, brass, copper and magnesium because they oxidize quickly if left unprotected. They can also be scratched easily if the wrong cleaner is used.