Meguiar's #16 vs #26

[Fallz]

Is #16 hard to work with ?



I thought it was not available any longer ? It is a paste correct ? How is the durability compared to like a PW ? or #26 ?



I've always heard raves about #16 here , what is so special ? Is it a Nuba or blend or ??



Thanks

 

[Accumulator]

Is #16 hard to work with ?

Just IMO, and I've used it since forever so I'm used to it, but NO, it's not hard to use if you put it on correctly (i.e., thin). It "turns liquid" as you swirl the applicator against it and then spreads easily. It buffs off easily *unless* you put it on too thick.

I thought it was not available any longer ? It is a paste correct ? How is the durability compared to like a PW ? or #26 ?

IIRC it's still available outside of the US. Yeah, it's a paste. Quite durable, probably the most durable wax I've used except for Collinite 476S. Lasts longer than 845 for me.

I've always heard raves about #16 here , what is so special ? Is it a Nuba or blend or ??

It's a carnauba with other waxes in it, dunno what they are but the conventional wisdom leans toward paraffin due to the crayon smell. No no, it won't get tacky in the sun or anything like that; once it sets up it's tough stuff. AFAIK it's basically unchanged since it first came out in the 1950s. The beading and durability are probably it's big selling points, looks being more subjective (IMO it's a "bright" wax that's not the absolute greatest for depth). IIRC ScottWax has always liked it on black, even though some would say it's not perfect for dark colors.



It really is incredibly economical if used correctly. It can (and should be) applied thinner than many paste waxes, and used that way a can lasts me for over a decade (I'm not a pro but I do use it quite often). That "turns liquid" thing makes it perfect for machine application IMO and you can do a large sedan many times before you even use enough wax to make it obvious that the can isn't newly opened. Last time I used up a can, the tiny residue in the outer bottom of the seemingly empty can was enough to do my wife's whole A8!



Swirl the applicator around the surface of the wax quickly but gently (you'll see what I mean about how it "turns liquid"). Get a uniform amount of wax on the pad. Then squeeze as much wax as possible back *out* of the pad by pressing it against the lip of the can or by scraping with a plastic razor blade. The tiny bit of wax that's left should be enough to do quite a large area, at least a whole panel or two.



If you want to layer it, wait at least a day between coats, and IMO waiting until the next wash (or about one week) is an even better idea.

 

[imported_Aurora40]

My two cents (assuming #26 is the paste)

- looks #26 will have more of that warm carnauba look. #16 is a fairly hard shine for a 'nuba but it still looks quite good

- durability #16 hands down

- ease of removal #26 is more forgiving to use, but #16 is hardly hard if you use it right

- dusting I've never had a paste wax dust?