Meguiar's #26 Paste Wax, My Review

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imported_COBRyan

New member
I gave this stuff a try today on my Cobra. I have always used EX-P as my go to sealant but I wanted a little more depth. Also, since I heard it was a fantastic wax I just wanted to give it a shot. I picked up a jar at Autozone for 99 cents so I can't really complain about any of the downsides lol. I like the large amount of wax that came in the jar, but I felt the container was a bit awkward and made it difficult to use the supplied applicator. The wax is too deep in the jar to spread on the applicator. I guess I always preferred the S100 and Pinnacle jars.



As far as application, the product went on easy enough in thin coats, probably not as easy as other paste waxes I have used though. I don't know how to describe it, but the applicator just didn't like to glide across the paint. I could feel some resitance in the applicator as I applied it to the paint (and my finish was slippery smooth before I waxed). Removal was much more difficult than the application process. Though it was not extremely difficult, it just did not have the ease of removal that I am spoiled with (Natty's, S100, Paste Glaz, CMW). I did one panel at a time and removed after it hazed. I also tried removing it immediately after it was applied, but it really made no difference. It almost reminded me of removing S100 that had hazed for just a little bit too long. Removal wasn't a bear, but it did take much more effort than I expected.



Now to the looks of this wax. I really LIKE the end result! The paint looks very deep and warm. My zinc yellow almost looks darker. I really think this wax gave my paint a darker glow. I bet it would look spectacular on a well prepped black or red vehicle! :xyxthumbs



It is not as wet looking as say Paste Glaz or CMW, but I truly like the deep and dark look. It is a very nice warm glow. Reflections are not as sharp as EX-P alone or with S100; it is much softer.



Hopefully as soon as my new Top of The Line Bubble Bath wash arrives I will be able to check for beading. I was a bit disappointed that I lost some of the slickness after I did my final wipe down of the car. A little QD seemed to help some, but still not as slick as it was with just the prepped surface and EX-P. Slickness and ease of use are my biggest concerns, so I don't know if this will be a wax I would buy again (at least not for the going retail rate, can't complain about my deal though!).



I will definitely try it again on my other cars, but the durability would be the only way it would save itself in being used on the Cobra again. Like I said, I LOVE the look (almost reminds me of what my car looks like under artificial light at night), but visual qualities are not everything to me.



I will try to snap a couple pics tomorrow morning to post up. It was just too dark tonight to get any.



Summary:



Packaging- Poor

Ease of Application- Fair

Ease of Removal- Fair to Poor

Looks- Very good to Excellent

Slickness- Fair

Beading- We shall see!

Durability- We shall see!

Price- Outstanding (99cent Autozone special!)





Up next, my review of UPP, Z2 Pro, and #16!!!

I also have a sample of N100 I need to try (Natty's + S100 mix)



-Bryan



Comments and your own opinions regarding this product are greatly appreciated!
 
I use it regularly, but dread using it. It looks awesome and lasts a long time, but no matter how thin I get the coat it is a SOB to get off. But it has the look I love.





Tom
 
Has anyone tried applying #26 via PC. I think I'm going to use a gray pad and the PC for my detail this week. Maybe this will provide even and thin distribution allowing for easly removal.



JJ
 
I just did my black 03 Xtreme with #26 over EX-P and it was no fun getting off! I used a little spray of QD on the pannels I was doing and it helps out the arm a little. Looks great afterwards though!!
 
I have used gallons of #26 over the years. I switched form paste to liquid a few years back.



I find that applying it via the PC makes removal SOOO much easier. I also remove it with a MF bonnet, probably the only LSP that I do this with EVERYTIME.



Slickness will also improve in 24 hours, but I find it slicker than EX-P even upon initial removal. :nixweiss It's also more durable than EX-P *for me* in my climate.
 
#26 liguid is easy to apply and remove and has great depth- I find that topping with NXT booster gives it better gloss
 
#26 is not easy to remove and it can darken lighter colored cars but its an above average OTC product.



S100 has a much better look and application in my opinion for only a few bucks more.
 
S100 might look better but I seriously doubt that S100 is as durable and provides the same level of protection as #26-IMO that is an apples to oranges comparison-IMO no pure carnauba wax can be directly compared to a blended mostly synthetic product
 
#26 has been easy to remove for me over the years and that applies to both liquid and paste. Wonder why the different experiences???
 
LOL, and I say that I prefer the look of #26 to that of S100! But, the weight of Autopian opinion is against me, so take that for what it's worth. Silver Lexus; OTC? I dunno, Gold Class is OTC maybe, #26 is Professional. But it's a minor point, I understand what you meant; available by walking into a place.



#26 liquid is a PC on/PC off product. I've thought about using the PC wrench as a butter knife to spread the paste, but I haven't done it yet.



I'd say working with #26 paste is probably like working with SG; if you can see it, it's too thick! Maybe not quite that bad, but you get the picture.







Tom
 
J.J. said:
Has anyone tried applying #26 via PC. I think I'm going to use a gray pad and the PC for my detail this week. Maybe this will provide even and thin distribution allowing for easly removal.



JJ
Click to expand...



I guess I should clarify my statement above by adding, I meant #26 paste wax.



JJ
 
COBRyan, nice input :up Like you, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to re-acquant myself with this wax, when priced at $.99. :) My experience with the wax was very similar to yours.



I applied the wax over a finish which had recently had a third application of Poorboy's EX (old version). Application on this surface was very easy, though I believe I understand what you meant about "surface drag" by the applicator. I applied #26 experimenting with the application/removal process by first using a WOWO approach and then by applying 2 panels at a time. I quickly determined that the 2-panel approach made removal quite a bit easier. Overall the process was so easy, I decided to add a second application @ a week later.



As for the results, #26 appeared to reduce both the gloss and the surface "slick" of the EX. The surface does have a very nice glow about it, especially in low light. The car has gone through several rain events, a couple of washes, and a 500+ mile road trip. Beading has been very good.



Highlights:

O Price - $.99 --- Wow!

O Ease of application

O Appearance - If you like a lower gloss



Lowlights:

O Removal - requires a bit of arm/shoulder action than other sealants or liquid waxes

O Appearance - If you like a high gloss

O Slickness - My paint felt smooth, but definitely not slick



Questions:

O Durability



As I worked on the removal of #26, I tried a couple of things that seemed to make things go a bit easier:



O Using at least two MF towels, make a first swipe with towel (A) - I used Patrick's Edgeless gold 16x16. I like the shorter nap and IMO worked better than my other terry MFs for removing this wax.

O QD spritz

O Wipe with fresh towel (B)
 
Mr. Clean said:
COBRyan, nice input :up Like you, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to re-acquant myself with this wax, when priced at $.99. :) My experience with the wax was very similar to yours.



I applied the wax over a finish which had recently had a third application of Poorboy's EX (old version). Application on this surface was very easy, though I believe I understand what you meant about "surface drag" by the applicator. I applied #26 experimenting with the application/removal process by first using a WOWO approach and then by applying 2 panels at a time. I quickly determined that the 2-panel approach made removal quite a bit easier. Overall the process was so easy, I decided to add a second application @ a week later.



As for the results, #26 appeared to reduce both the gloss and the surface "slick" of the EX. The surface does have a very nice glow about it, especially in low light. The car has gone through several rain events, a couple of washes, and a 500+ mile road trip. Beading has been very good.



Highlights:

O Price - $.99 --- Wow!

O Ease of application

O Appearance - If you like a lower gloss



Lowlights:

O Removal - requires a bit of arm/shoulder action than other sealants or liquid waxes

O Appearance - If you like a high gloss

O Slickness - My paint felt smooth, but definitely not slick



Questions:

O Durability



As I worked on the removal of #26, I tried a couple of things that seemed to make things go a bit easier:



O Using at least two MF towels, make a first swipe with towel (A) - I used Patrick's Edgeless gold 16x16. I like the shorter nap and IMO worked better than my other terry MFs for removing this wax.

O QD spritz

O Wipe with fresh towel (B)
Click to expand...



You and I had very similar impressions :up



Thank you everyone for your input as well. I am glad I am not the only one who had difficulties in the removal step. I am going to go outside in a little bit and see if slickness may have improved over time like another poster suggested. Just by looking out my front window, I can tell the paint isn't as glossy as it usually is. But she does look pretty clean :cool:



I usually never use QD while waxing, but it saved my butt with the #26 (even though it didn't make a huge difference).
 
percynjpn said:
I wonder why slickness is one of your two main concerns (as opposed to the look)?
Click to expand...



I love running my hands across my paint and feeling how smooth it is, that is just one of the joys of detailing to me. Of course the looks of a wax is important, but I truly appreciate the ease of use and slickness that some products can offer.



Example: I have Klasse SG in my arsenal but I refuse to use it in the summer only because it is the hardest product I have ever used. It gives a nice shine, but perhaps a bit sterile. The durability is incredible though. It is something that I would reserve for a day prior to winter months when it is just too cold to wax or seal. One day of having my arm ache from using SG would be worth the months of protection it provides me. But in the summertime, I have so many products that are so much easier to use, and I can use them often in the good weather so I don't care about their durability.
 
I found the look of #26 to be great, as well as beading properties. However, it left streaks on my paint that QDing or washing would not remove. Had to polish the paint and apply another wax...maybe I'll try it again when it's not so humid.
 
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