Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze

[Kyle K.]

Does their #7 Show Car Glaze contain any oils and chemicals etc. that "fill in" swirls? I'm asking because I've heard that Imperial Hand Glaze contains oils that will reduce the ability of synthetics to bond to the paint. Basically my question is this. Since you can't use IHG as surface prep before Klasse, can you use SCG?

If not, what is a good surface prep/polish that doesn't contain any of these oils? I know Klasse claims that AIO contains cleaners and whatnot, but I don't believe that they can be nearly as effective as a good polish.

Thanks.

[emPoWaH]

Short Answer: Yes, Meguiar's Show Car Glaze is loaded with oils. So no, the SG won't bond properly on top of it.

Here is the definition of "GLAZE" from David Bynon's Autopia "Guide to Detailing" eBook:

"If your paint finish has minor imperfections or swirl marks, you can use a glaze to temporarily fill the micro-marks in the paint. A glaze is typically a thin liquid, usually made of Carnauba waxes and silicones, applied to the paint prior to waxing. The filling ability of any glaze lasts only a matter of days before swirl marks and light scratches reappear. Many people use glazes to enhance the look of the paint prior to showing a car."

You seem to want a "good polish," but the products you are looking at (3M IHG and Meguiar's SCG) are glazes. They have very minor chemical cleaning abilities and claim to be non-abrasive. You say, "I don't believe that they [AIO] can be nearly as effective as a good polish." You're right, it isn't as "effective" as a polish, but AIO's cleaners and abrasives are far more "effective" than those of a glaze.

Here is Bynon's definition of a polish:

"Detailers use polishes to enhance paint gloss or to remove minor scratches and swirl marks. Polish is an abrasive liquid, applied by hand or machine, which removes fine layers of paint, smoothing out the surface."

It think you have been trying to find a polish to prep your MINI, but came upon temporary glazes instead. Examples of polishes range from swirl-mark removers like 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover to paint-cleansers like Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion. Sadly, there aren't many "polishes" that are oil-free. Mineral oil, found in many polishes, is added to aid in lubrication for the abrasive granules to break down. Some people keep a small bottle of 50/50 water and isopropyl alcohol handy to spray and wipe down the car after polishing.

If your paint is in good condition, there is no reason to keep using polishes. Just use a paint cleaning clay bar to remove contamination and you should be fine. You don't want to remove too much of your clear!

This is only a short answer... and there's a lot more to learn. But I find that a good search through a reputable detailing forum (www.autopia.org) can teach you so much more than a short answer. You can download the first 8 chapters of the Autopia eBook (www.autopia-carcare.com) for free.

Good luck!

[emPoWaH]

Originally posted by Kyle K. on Autopia.org
Ok, so I can use the SCG just as long as I use Dawn before applying the AIO?

This is sort of a theoretical question, as I'm planning to do this during the winter to keep the paint nice. As of now I've only been doing AIO, SG, and P21S (I've had the car for 2 months), but I figure that some road salt and whatnot is bound to creep in during the winter and I'd like to keep the finish nice.

FWIW, here is what I normally do on the paint when detailing.

Wash w/ dawn
Klasse AIO
Klasse SG
P21S topper

So you're saying that the following would also work?

Wash w/ dawn
7 SCG or 3m IHG
Wash w/ dawn
Klasse AIO
Klasse SG
P21S topper

Sound about right? Thanks for the info guys. I just joined and I love this forum already.

Okay, okay... you could do that, and the Klasse will bond, but it's pointless. Hell, you don't even need those Dawn washes because the AIO will strip off all the old wax and even remove the oils from SCG/IHG. The only concerns you should have with bonding is if you're only using SG.

Meguiar's #7 and 3M IHG are both TEMPORARY products.

Wash w/ dawn
7 SCG or 3m IHG
Wash w/ dawn
Klasse AIO
Klasse SG
P21S topper

... will yield the same results as...

Wash w/ car shampoo
Klasse AIO
Klasse SG
P21S topper

Remember, "7 SCG or 3m IHG" are both temporary products. So once you Dawn wash after it, it'll be gone, and so will the results. Instead, you can try something like this:

Wash w/ car shampoo
Abrasive polish (NOT GLAZE!!!) or clay bar
Klasse AIO
Klasse SG
P21S topper

You see what I mean? Glazes are temporary! And Dawn-washing after glazing will just give you before-glaze results.
:)

[Kyle K.]

Egg-cellent. I always was a little fuzzy on the difference between a glaze and a polish. I thought glazes were polishes (slightly abrasive, removes minor scratches etc.) but with oils that filled in swirls as well. Guess I was a little bit mistaken. The meguiars website kinda exacerbated the issue by having their 7 SCG under "polishes" :rolleyes: They also say in the description of 7 "This polish will outshine all other hand-applied polishes, glazes, waxes or sealants." so yeah... :dunno

Ahh yes, did you reply to the thread over on autopia or just copy it here? Whats your name over there?

So yes, I guess I'm looking for a polish. I was kinda suspicious of that, which is why I asked what a good polish would be if the glazes were all like that ;) The reason I'm looking for a polish is that there are a few spots on the car that have minor imperfections that I suspect will buff out.

[Kyle K.]

Oh, and do you know if Meguiars 9 Swirl Remover or 3m perfect it contain oils etc? Even if they do I should be able to Dawn after them and retain their benefits (since they are abrasive) right?

[emPoWaH]

Originally posted by Kyle K.
Oh, and do you know if Meguiars 9 Swirl Remover or 3m perfect it contain oils etc? Even if they do I should be able to Dawn after them and retain their benefits (since they are abrasive) right?

YAY! I finally explained it! Language Arts up to eighth grade doesn't teach you everything yet... ;)

#9 and 3M SMR both contain oils, but a Dawn wash or a qucik spray and wipe with 50/50 ispropyl alcohol/water will get rid of the oil. A few people believe that AIO (has cleaners) will get it off too, but you can never be too safe.


Originally posted by Kyle K.
The meguiars website kinda exacerbated the issue by having their 7 SCG under "polishes"

Exactly. Meguiar's is famous for having their own little way of describing products, and expects the whole industry to follow. Supposidly for them, a polish is "surface prep" and a glaze is "polish." Go figure.

In fact, there was a huge discussion/confusion on Autopia about it: http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16199

I'm "miKALsof" on Autopia... a "Guest" because of a long story, so no, I didn't copy it here. :rolleyes: :( :12:

[Kyle K.]

Wow... it all makes sense now. At least I'm not the only idiot confused by Meguiars damn naming procedures. I usually like their products, but christ, why call somethign a glaze, then say its a polish right on the front, then call it a glaze, then say its a polish?? WTF IS IT?!? Ok, its a glaze.... thank you. :rolleyes:

Maybe I'll go with the 3m out of spite.... now moving on to issue #2, can this stuff be bought in stores? I found a place that I can get it online (apparently they make different formulations of it for light and dark cars... why the hell should this matter with a polish?) but when I buy stuff online I have to pay shipping... and that pisses me off. The local Pep Boys has IHG, but I don't think I remember seeing this stuff there. :dunno

[emPoWaH]

Well, both versions are about the same in abrasiveness and ease of use. The only difference is that 3M Perfect-It Foam Polishing Pad Swirlmark Remover for Light Cars, PN 39109, is light colored, while PN 39009, SMR for Dark Cars, is dark colored. This is so the powdery residue, common on many 3M polishes, isn't as obvious. Other than that, they’re identical products.

www.3m.com has free shipping.

[Kyle K.]

3M has too many products... shizah. Free shipping is pretty appealing though. Thanks.