Meguiar's Ultimate Wash and Wax

Meguiar's

Ultimate Wash and Wax

Updated · 34 ingredients analyzed

Adds Protection
$1.45COST/WASH

A surfactant-based car shampoo with integrated carnauba wax and synthetic polymers designed to clean and add protective coating in a single wash step.

Key Chemistry

pH Level

8.3

Active Mechanism

surfactant emulsification and dirt suspension

Surfactants

7 (anionic, amphoteric, nonionic)

Expert Analysis

Uses sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate as the primary cleaning agent alongside anionic, amphoteric, and nonionic surfactants for effective dirt removal and foam generation. The formula incorporates carnauba wax and synthetic polymers that deposit during the wash process to leave behind a protective layer while maintaining an alkaline pH of 8.3 for enhanced cleaning performance.

Key Differentiators

  • Combines cleaning and waxing in one step through integrated carnauba wax and synthetic polymer technology
  • Full ingredient transparency with all 34 components disclosed, unusual for consumer car care products

Potential Concerns

  • Alkaline pH of 8.3 contradicts marketing claims of being pH neutral and may gradually degrade existing wax layers
  • Wash-and-wax products typically provide minimal protection compared to dedicated wax applications

Ingredients

34 disclosed
Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzenesulfonate
1 - 5
CAS: 68081-81-2Surfactant
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
1 - 5
CAS: 68439-57-6Surfactant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate
1 - 5
CAS: 68585-34-2Surfactant
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
1 - 5
CAS: 68585-47-7Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
1 - 3
CAS: 61789-40-0Surfactant
Lauramine Oxide
1 - 3
CAS: 1643-20-5Surfactant
Water
N/D
CAS: 7732-18-5Diluent
Proprietary Wax Emulsion
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIWax Additive
Sodium Chloride
N/D
CAS: 7647-14-5Thickener
Sodium Xylene Sulfonate
N/D
CAS: 1300-72-7Surfactant - Cleaning Agent
Styrene/Acrylic Copolymer
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIOpacifying Agent
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
2-ETHYLHEXYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATE
N/D
CAS: 5466-77-3UV absorber
Organo-Modified Silicone System
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIGloss Enhancer
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Orange Oil
N/D
CAS: 8008-57-9Fragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Vanillin
N/D
CAS: 121-33-5Fragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance Ingredient
N/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Polymeric Benzotriazole
N/D
CAS: 104810-47-1UV absorber
Polymeric Benzotriazole
N/D
CAS: 104810-48-2UV absorber
Bronopol
N/D
CAS: 52-51-7Preservative
Acetophenone
N/D
CAS: 98-86-2Fragrance Component
Acid Yellow 73 Sodium Salt
N/D
CAS: 518-47-8Colorant
Methylchloroisothiazolinone
N/D
CAS: 26172-55-4Preservative
Methylisothiazolinone
N/D
CAS: 2682-20-4Preservative
Isoeugenol
N/D
CAS: 97-54-1Fragrance Component

Source: both

Safety Profile

Signal Word
Warning
Eye Hazard
Causes serious eye irritation
Skin Hazard
Causes skin irritation
Corrosive to Metals
No
Flammable
No

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