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Meguiar's

Ultimate Wash and Wax

surfactant-basedwarning-labelready-to-useclear-coat-safepaint-safehigh-gloss
$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 Alkylbenzenesulfonate1 - 5
CAS: 68081-81-2Surfactant
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate1 - 5
CAS: 68439-57-6Surfactant
Sodium Laureth Sulfate1 - 5
CAS: 68585-34-2Surfactant
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate1 - 5
CAS: 68585-47-7Surfactant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine1 - 3
CAS: 61789-40-0Surfactant
Lauramine Oxide1 - 3
CAS: 1643-20-5Surfactant
WaterN/D
CAS: 7732-18-5Diluent
Proprietary Wax EmulsionN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIWax Additive
Sodium ChlorideN/D
CAS: 7647-14-5Thickener
Sodium Xylene SulfonateN/D
CAS: 1300-72-7Surfactant - Cleaning Agent
Styrene/Acrylic CopolymerN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIOpacifying Agent
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
2-ETHYLHEXYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATEN/D
CAS: 5466-77-3UV absorber
Organo-Modified Silicone SystemN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIGloss Enhancer
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Orange OilN/D
CAS: 8008-57-9Fragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
VanillinN/D
CAS: 121-33-5Fragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Fragrance IngredientN/D
CAS: Withheld as CBIFragrance Component
Polymeric BenzotriazoleN/D
CAS: 104810-47-1UV absorber
Polymeric BenzotriazoleN/D
CAS: 104810-48-2UV absorber
BronopolN/D
CAS: 52-51-7Preservative
AcetophenoneN/D
CAS: 98-86-2Fragrance Component
Acid Yellow 73 Sodium SaltN/D
CAS: 518-47-8Colorant
MethylchloroisothiazolinoneN/D
CAS: 26172-55-4Preservative
MethylisothiazolinoneN/D
CAS: 2682-20-4Preservative
IsoeugenolN/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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