Not an expert, but I’m doing my best!
I feel like an article of this nature should start with a disclaimer: I am by no means a professional detailer. In other words, when it comes to cleaning my cars, my knowledge is relatively limited. However, when I met Blake from Meguiar’s at Monterey Car Week, and he asked if I wanted to give their products a shot, I would’ve been a fool to say no. I look at it in two ways: for one, an opportunity like this gives me the chance to improve my car cleaning skills. Two, if a novice like me can make their car sparkle by just reading the instructions on the package, then Meguiar’s must have some pretty damn nice products. It was game time.
Meguiar's Products
The care package came with just about everything I needed to turn my 1986 Nissan 300ZX into a presentable example of JDM history: Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit, Cleaner Wax, Quik Interior Detailer Cleaner, Ultimate All-Wheel Cleaner, Hyper Dressing, and Citrus Power Cleaner Plus. I started off as instructed with a quick wash using their bottle of Ultimate Wash & Wax, and this Patoolio Pressure Washer that I was sent by a different company for this article as well. At $110, it’s on the more affordable side of Amazon pressure washers, based on my research, but it did the job just fine. With a maximum pressure of 2100 PSI, four nozzles ranging from 0 degrees to 40 degrees, a soap attachment, and one of the longest power cables and hoses I’ve seen on an appliance, I would have gladly paid for this with my own money, knowing it does such a tremendous job.
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
Taking care of the exterior
Now, my Z is never disgustingly filthy, but on this occasion, I had inadvertently left it outside in the rain, so it was being suffocated by dust and water spots. That’s not to mention that the last time it was waxed or polished, we had a different president in the White House. Overall, it was a terrible sight to see for the unprepared enthusiast, but I was armed to the teeth with cleaning products and mostly unafraid.
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
I began with the Ultimate All-Wheel Cleaner in an effort to remove the years’ worth of brake dust that had accumulated between the Z’s many wheel spokes. The nice part about Meguiar’s wheel cleaner is that it turns pink/purple when it comes into contact with grime, letting you know that the enemy is defeated and it’s time for a wash. The pressure washer had no issue tackling the now-loosened brake dust and dirt, and the narrow spray nozzles made it easy to get between each spoke. It was awfully satisfying to see it all wash away, and I don’t think my wheels have ever looked this lovely.
It was time to move on to the actual body of the car with the Smooth Surface Clay Kit. I sprayed the included detailer and followed up with the clay bar in circular motions. After I’d finish a surface, I’d wipe it down with the included microfiber towel so as not to let the spray dry on the car. Next was the cleaner wax, and since I don’t have a buffer wheel, I resorted to applying the wax with a microfiber towel, also in circular motions, just as a buffer wheel would. Wax on, wax off. I was fairly skeptical, considering I didn’t quite have the right equipment for this last part, but oh boy, were my worries unfounded. Not only did it leave the Z smooth and shiny, but it even did a presentable job at covering up some of my clearcoat failure on the hood and these weird vertical scratches (probably from a previous owner’s dog) on the passenger fender. 11/10 no complaints from me.
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
With the exterior looking spiffy, it was time for the pièce de résistance: the Hyper Dressing. This is essentially shine juice for any unpainted surface. That means you can use it on tires, wheel wells, chrome trim, the lot. I decided that my tires must absolutely look the part as well, and to say that I’m pleased with the results would be an understatement. From the right angle, you’d think the Z was wearing new tires!
Moving inside
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
The Interior Detailer didn’t have many surfaces to clean in my case, as my dashboard is in mint condition and protected by a dashmat, and my steering wheel is equally pristine. However, my door panels and center console are quite the opposite. They’re not gross, merely faded and cracking from decades of use and weather conditions. The Detailer breathed a bit of new life into them, giving them a little more sheen and color. It’s no miracle worker, and it won’t mend your cracked leather, but it certainly makes it look better at a car show!
Keen readers will have noticed that I didn’t talk about the Citrus Power Cleaner Plus. This is meant to be your all-in-one automotive grease and stain hunter for carpets, upholstery, plastics, engines, and tires. I won’t sit here and pretend that my Z isn’t leaky; the metal tray underneath it would say otherwise. However, all the accumulated grease is underneath the car, and it’s not something I can clean without a lift. That said, the front end of my Datsun 620’s engine is disgusting, and while I can’t clean it properly without taking off the water pump, I gave it a shot on the more accessible corner. It didn’t take more than a scrub with a wire brush and a microfiber towel for the grime to disappear, leaving behind nothing but shiny, silver metal. I’m seriously debating stripping the engine as much as I can and giving the entire thing the Citrus Power Cleaner Plus treatment.
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
Final thoughts
I never swore by any particular cleaning product prior to this article, but I might just pledge allegiance to Meguiar’s now. All of the products I was sent did their job to a T and were easy enough to use that even a plebeian like me got terrific results. They didn’t send this one over, but I have to mention their Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner. If my mom didn’t have me, she would’ve probably adopted a bottle of that as her son. It’s good for glass, of course, and just about any other hard surface that needs cleaning. Stellar stuff. All in all, shout-out to Meguiar’s for the fantastic care package and to Patoolio for offering their pressure washer at the best possible time; my cars are eternally grateful. To explore the full range of Meguiar’s products, head over to their official website.
Gabriel Ionica
Gabriel Ionica
About the author
Gabriel Ionica
Senior Editor, Autoblog