Meguiar’s Car Care Products
History
Top of FormWhat began a century ago as a simple furniture polish laboratory and plant in the garage of founder Frank Meguiar, Jr., now spans the globe as an international car care brand. Celebrating its 110th anniversary in 2011, Meguiar’s®Inc. has become one of the world’s leading surface care product companies, providing highly specialized products for almost every conceivable type of surface.
The difference for the Meguiar’s® brand has been the inborn passion for what we do; it fuels the driving force that moves us forward and exhilarates us every day. We view the company as much more than a business or an opportunity to make money; Meguiar’sproducts are a way to provide car crazy enthusiasts an opportunity to express their utmost pride with their vehicle and overall passion for the car hobby.
In his wildest dreams, it’s doubtful that in 1901 Frank Meguiar, Jr., could have foreseen what his first bottle of furniture polish would evolve into over the next 110 years. When Meguiar first began, he made one bottle of polish at a time using an eggbeater. Eventually, he was able to produce enough products at night, to fill the orders he would generate the next day and pay for the family’s groceries.
The arrival of the first horseless carriages turned Frank Meguiar’s attention to the automobile. Made out of wood, they were initially coated with the same finishes that were applied to furniture. It was an easy transition that set the course for the company’s preeminence in the car wax business today.
From his first bottle of furniture polish, Frank Meguiar, Jr. was steadfastly determined never to sell a product unless he was convinced it was the very best of its kind on the market. To this day, the company follows that dictate and, as a result, has generated millions of enthusiastic users around the world. We describe our customers as “raving fans.”
When Frank Meguiar, Jr. passed away in 1950, his three sons, who were his business partners, took the company to the next level. Maurice, the oldest, was the sales manager. Next came Malcolm, who shared his dad’s love for formulating and created most of the products that the company offered, some of which are still marketed today, including Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax, which is still one of the best-selling liquid car waxes in America. The youngest of the three brothers, Kenneth, was in charge of production. It was the perfect partnership and through their hard work and leadership the company thrived through its second generation.
In the early years, Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze polishes and waxes, intended for professional use, were primarily used by car manufacturers, car dealers, body shops and detailers. Most custom painters polished their customer’s automobiles with Meguiar’sproducts, so the majority of cars put on display in car shows reflected finishes achieved with the use of Meguiar’s professional-line products. As car shows became prevalent in the 60’s, those attending began to recognize that the use of Meguiar’s polishes was the key to create brilliant, high-gloss finishes.
Growing numbers of people began pressuring retailers to stock Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze products. Compelled by the demands of these enthusiastic fans, the family formally introduced its Meguiar’s brand of consumer automotive products in 1973, headed by current President of Meguiar’s Inc. Barry Meguiar, the son of Malcolm Meguiar. Fast forward to today, the Meguiar’s line of products still saturate the consumer marketplace, offering car care solutions for the hobbyist and the do-it-yourself lover alike.
From its inception, Meguiar’s has been an active participant in the collector car hobby. Barry Meguiar explains, “We are car guys who happen to be in the car wax business. The ultimate experience for us comes when our two passions merge in the exhilaration of “Best of Show” winners who regularly use our products.”Meguiar’s sponsors and staffs more than 100 car show events across the country and around the world each year featuring every type of collector car from hot rods and muscle cars to exotic sports cars and vintage classics. In addition, the company supports more than 3,500 car club events every year. At almost every car show and automotive museum in the country, you will find an abundance of Meguiar’s products proudly used to maintain and showcase prized automobiles.
Meguiar’s love for the collector car hobby is also expressed on the country’s airwaves. Barry Meguiar hosts Car Crazy radio and Car Crazy television on the Velocity Channel, providing listeners and viewers from around the world with an insider’s look at icons of the collector car hobby.
FAQs
Why does Meguiar’s make so many products?
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.