Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax Review

I recently reviewed Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax, and I’m back today with another review of a Meguiar’s “Ultimate” product.

This time, we are looking at Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax.

In this short review, I’m not going to go into too much detail about whether nor not wash and wax products are particularly effective (you can read my specific article here on whether wash and wax really works).

Long story short, the wax in a “wash and wax” car detailing product will never offer results as good as you’d get if you properly wax your car using something like Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax.

However, if you’re the kind of person who just wants a clean, presentable car, then wash and wax does make the paint finish sparkle that bit more than you’d find with a regular car wash/shampoo (and there are also some protective benefits, albeit they are short-lived).

Meguiar’s generally has a good reputation for making quality car detailing products and selling them at reasonable prices. Meguiar’s products aren’t typically as affordable as the likes of those from Turtle Wax, but they certainly aren’t outrageously expensive or aimed at enthusiasts who demand the absolute best possible products.

Where Can You Buy Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax?

In my experience, Meguiar’s products are readily available.

I live in New Zealand, and if you can get something here you won’t have any trouble finding it in most other western markets (at least the big ones like the United States).

You can buy this product from Amazon, auto stores and shops, and if you’re in America you can buy directly from the Meguiar’s online store as well.

Basically, it shouldn’t be too hard to find your own supply.

Of course in this day and age of challenged supply chains, I can’t guarantee that, but it doesn’t seem too difficult to get your hands on this product.

What Do You Get For Your Money?

A bottle of wash and wax … there’s not much more to it than that.

The bottle that I purchased is 1.4 liters/48 fluid ounces – but you can also find 1 gallon (around 4.5 liters) containers from some retailers.

Keep an eye out for special deals/offers. For example, I’ve seen my local big box auto retailer do a deal where you can buy this product and get a free wash mitt.

When browsing the Meguiar’s Direct site (which is open to American customers) there was also a good deal on buying a complete “Ultimate” line kit, which includes the wash and wax, liquid wax, polish and other detailing products and tools.

This might be a good option to consider if you’re wanting to buy one package that will help you to clean, protect and enhance your car’s paint finish. If you’ve got a whole bunch of old, dated car detailing products and implements in your garage, then it might be a good opportunity to “clean house” and refresh your collection!

What’s Good

Fundamentally, Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash and Wax does what it says on the tin.

As I mentioned in my article about whether or not wash and wax products actually work, all of them tend to be a bit hyperbolic about how effective the wax part is. For example, on the packaging for this product you’ll no doubt be impressed by the inclusion of “hydrophobic polymer technology” (which is presumably just marketing speak for a bit of wax thrown into the mixture).

As an ‘ad man’ myself in my day job, I can’t blame Meguiar’s for playing up the benefits of their product, but you also need to be able to see through the hype.

However, as a product that helps you get dirt and other crap off your car’s paintwork, and then add a bit of “sparkle” to the finish, I can’t really fault it.

No wash and wax is substitute for properly waxing your car, but if you want “one product to rule them all” then I think you’ll be pleased with this.

It suds up well, is easy to apply (it’s hard to describe but it has a very ‘smooth’ feel on application), washes off easily, and leaves your car looking clean and nice. What’s not to love? It also smells nice, which is something I’ve noticed with all the Meguiar’s products I’ve tried.

What’s Bad

To be honest, there really isn’t much I don’t like about Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash and Wax.

I haven’t used any “super high end” pro-level detailing products, so I can’t compare it to them, but compared to the cheaper alternatives I’ve used it really does seem worth the extra few dollars.

I guess the only two issues I can find with this product are:

  1. It would be nice if it were less expensive. But then again, it would be nice if everything I buy were less expensive. It’s not like the price tag is wholly unreasonable anyway. Value for money here is reasonable.
  2. I’m not 100% sold on whether a wash and wax is worth the upgrade over a regular wax. However, at the same time I do feel that for a decent time after using this product (and properly drying my car) it retains a noticeable sheen and superior look to if I had just used a regular car wash product.

Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax Review Conclusion

Overall, I really like this product.

Of all the car washes (and wash and wax products) I’ve used in recent years, it’s probably my favourite. That doesn’t mean it’s the best car detailing product in the world … but it sure is solid.

For the premium you pay over something like Turtle Wax’s competing product, it really does feel like you are getting a superior product and it’s worth paying the extra.

This product is nicer to use, delivers what I feel to be superior results, and even smells better than the competition. If I compare it to the Turtle Wax alternative (which – as per my review – is still a good product when the low price is considered) or “no name” wash and wax products I’ve used when I’ve been gifted hardware store ‘car detailing buckets’ for Christmas or my birthday, I am more than happy to pay the premium to use Meguiar’s.  That being said, if you just want to get your car clean and you want to save money, then this product is probably overkill.

Apart from the fact that it is more expensive than cheaper options (fancy that?) and the inherent issue of whether or not wash and wax products are really worth paying extra for over regular washes, I’m more than happy to keep buying this product and would recommend it to others.

You can purchase your own bottle here on Amazon.com.

If you’re interested in more car detailing product reviews, then check out our reviews archive here. For example, if you take your car’s paint very seriously, then you might like reading our roundup review of the best paint thickness gauges for cars.

If you have any questions, queries or concerns about this article (or the Meguiar’s product itself) then feel free to leave a comment below – or you can always email admin@garagedreams.net.

You can purchase Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax here on Amazon or on their own site.

Author

  • Sam

    Sam focuses mainly on researching and writing the growing database of Car Facts articles on Garage Dreams, as well as creating interesting list content. He is particularly enthusiastic about JDM cars, although has also owned numerous European vehicles in the past. Currently drives a 3rd generation Suzuki Swift Sport, and a Volkswagen Touareg (mainly kept for taking his border collie out to the hills to go walking)

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