DIY Polishing your car
- Wash and dry vehicle
- Rectify any surface imperfections
- Apply a polish/wax
- Maintain the finish
Polishing/Waxing a Car in New or As-New Condition
Clean and dry your vehicle in the shade using a Meguiar’s car wash or spray detailer.- Bonded surface contaminants are common even on brand new cars and will affect the performance of the polish or wax, so check the finish by lightly rubbing the palm of your clean hand across a horizontal surface. If it doesn’t feel completely smooth we recommend using Meguiar’s Quik Clay Kit (G1116) to remove any “above-surface” contaminants.
- Park vehicle under cover and avoid dust/dirt from wind. Select a Meguiar’s polish/wax that best suits your needs and apply a thin film over the entire vehicle using a foam applicator pad. By the time you get back to where you started, the product should have dried to a haze.
- Wipe off residue using a Meguiar’s microfibre cloth folded into quarters, turning regularly as residue becomes slow to wipe off cleanly.
- Use Meguiar’s Quik Detailer (A3316) and a fresh microfibre cloth to remove any remaining residue from paintwork or trim, if you have a dark coloured car or are particularly fussy.
- If your car is often kept outside, wash regularly with Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax (G17748). For cars that are usually garaged, use the Meguiar’s wash that matches the wax that was applied.
- Depending on level of exposure to the elements, re-apply polish/wax 2 to 6 times a year for maximum shine and protection. Eventually, you will end up with fine swirls and/or scratches that will need to be rectified using Meguiar’s Surface Prep/Rehab products first.
- If in any doubt about product selection, check with your friendly Team Member who will happily offer you any assistance required or refer to Meguiar’s Paint Care Brochure.
Polishing/Waxing a Car with Scratches, Swirls or other defects
Clean and dry your vehicle in the shade using a Meguiar’s car wash or spray detailer. - For isolated fine scratches, scuffs, finger nail marks, blemishes and paint transfer, use a clear coat safe product like Meguiar’s Scratch X (G10307) applied with a Meguiar’s Even –Coat Applicator Pad (X3080). For widespread fine swirls, spider webs or holograms use Meguiar’s Swirl X (G17616) instead.
- To restore colour and clarity to a neglected finish as well as remove harsh scratches and swirls, use a product with micro-abrasives like Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound (G17216) by hand with a Meguiar’s Even-Coat Applicator (X3080) or a dual action/random orbit machine.
- Park vehicle under cover and avoid dust/dirt from wind. Select a Meguiar’s polish/wax that best suits your needs and apply a thin film over the entire vehicle using a foam applicator pad. By the time you get back to where you started, the product should have dried to a haze.
- Wipe off residue using a Meguiar’s microfibre cloth folded into quarters, turning regularly as residue becomes slow to wipe off cleanly.
- Use Meguiar’s Quik Detailer (A3316) and a fresh microfibre cloth to remove any remaining residue from paintwork or trim, if you have a dark coloured car or are particularly fussy.
- If your car is often kept outside, wash regularly with Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax (G17748). For cars that are usually garaged, use the Meguiar’s wash that matches the wax that was applied.
- Depending on level of exposure to the elements, re-apply polish/wax 2 to 6 times a year for maximum shine and protection.
- If in any doubt about product selection, check with your friendly Team Member who will happily offer you any assistance required or refer to Meguiar’s Paint Care Brochure.
Glass Cleaning and Maintenance
Most glass cleaners use detergents and ammonia for cleaning, but this leaves residue on the glass that can cause smearing or hazing and isn’t suitable for tinted glass. - Use a purpose- designed formula like Meguiar’s No Smear Glass Cleaner (AA6316) which leaves no residues for a crystal clear result, even on tinted windows.
- For best results, apply with a Meguiar’s No Smear Glass Cloth (AG3032). This cloth cuts glass cleaning time in half and doesn’t leave any tiny fibres behind.
- Always begin with the windscreen, then the rear screen before finishing with the side windows.
- Apply an even amount to one section at a time then wipe over with your No Smear Glass Cloth, turning to a dry section of the cloth for final wipe
- When your cloth becomes saturated with product, it will leave smearing on the glass so a handy tip is to use 2 cloths, one to apply and another for the final wipe.
- Depending on the quality of the Chamois you are using, the use of a Glass Cleaner on the outside of the windscreen may be required each time the car is washed. For the rest of the glass, only when smearing or a haze is noticeable.
- If in any doubt about product selection, check with your friendly Team Member who will happily offer you any assistance required or refer to Meguiar’s Interior Care Brochure.
Cleaning and Maintaining Leather Surfaces
Leather surfaces need to be maintained using a product that has a premium blend of moisturisers and nutrients that leave the surface looking and feeling rich, soft and supple. It’s important to use a product that contains no solvents or irritating detergents but has a long lasting, water-resistant formula to help protect against spills, UV damage and heat exposure.- If the leather is dirty, firstly clean with a safe product like Meguiar’s Quik Out (G15922) using terry towelling or microfiber cloth. You should always test a cleaner on a small section first in case the leather has been redyed.
- Once the surface is clean and dry, apply Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner (Lotion/G7214 or Non-whitening Gel/G17914) using terry towelling or microfiber cloth.
- It’s much easier to work on small sections at a time. For seats, start with the backrest section first, then move onto the bottom section.
- A thin even coat gives a better result than a heavy application particularly around seams and stitching etc.
- Re-apply once leather becomes soiled. Driver’s seat will normally need to be done a few times a year.
- If in any doubt about product selection, check with your friendly Team Member who will happily offer you any assistance required or refer to Meguiar’s Interior Care Brochure.
