The BEST way to remove old waxes or sealants? Meguiars Wash Plus vs Kamikaze No.5

#welcomebackdarlings
In this video I take a look at two products that should strip your old waxes and sealants off - Meguiars Wash Plus and Kamikaze No.5
I intend to answer which is best, so you don't have to try them both for yourself!

[@jt-2286]

Megs is a fantastic product, but t use it effectively you need to hit the sweet spot. It's not a product that will be effective by washing as normal, it needs working hard. I've found over a few bottles that the wash media is better damp not fully wet ao the product is almost producing resistance on the wash media. I do prewash with a decon wash which although they do add something in the way of degrading they don't strip. I'm planning to buy the kamakazi at some point, especially for the summer.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Do you find that the resistance (great explanation, I know exactly what you mean) comes very quickly if the pad isnt wet enough? I do, and it feels properly alien. Wash+ is an absolute bugger for leaving residue that it hard to remove if it remotely dries, so I usually work a panel at a time anyway just to mitigate it. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic deep clean product prior to polishing, it absolutely has it's place.

[@jt-2286]

@SuperchargedLlama yea, it becomes almost draggy on the panel. I think that given it's a polishing wash with micro abrasives, maybe that's the spot it needs to be at to be effective amd that the abrasives are at work. It definitely needs a follow-up afterwards. I know what you mean about the residue, I'm conscious about the panel gaps also with clumps of it that comes off the mitt. The only way around that is to work it into mitt then wash. I'd does need removing quickly after. My other concern, maybe I should test it out is that I believe that it leaves something on the panel that interferes with new LSP after using it, so I follow up with a decon wash and panel wipe. I don't bother putting it in the bucket it's a waste. Definitely gonna order kamakazi no5. Being a wax slut I do try wax ofter as I can and No5 will make it so much easier.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

@@jt-2286 you've absolutely nailed the issues with Wash+ in that post!

[@AndreasSchwarzinger]

Thank you for the video! You do raise a very good and valid point: how do we know for sure that these products do what they claim? And how do we judge LSP-removal from looking at hydrophobic / hydrophilic behavior. Maybe a follow-up test could be that you seal the whole hood again, use the products again, and then use a reliable panel wipe afterwards to check whether there is any „masking“. If you do that, make suee to have a reference section without any LSP on it on which you only use the panel wipe to see what the true water behavior of bare, naked paint is.

[@AnotherYoutuber460]

Why is this guy everywhere 🤣

[@SuperchargedLlama]

That's a good point. If I do get round to it at some point I shall try that. At the moment I feel my curiosity is satisfied in terms of finding something that looks like it does the job, without marring up the paint....but as you've said, you can always test more!

[@chrisbradley3224]

It is quite difficult. The lack of hydrophobicity can be temporary and return in a few days as well. That said, I did test Fireball Wax Off on an acrylic shower mirror and compared the behavior to Koch Chemie Fine Cut applied by hand followed by panel prep to remove the oils. It wasn't quite as effective as the polish but it was close. Two applications seemed to remove any sealant or wax for sure. Did not try a ceramic coating. I haven't tried No 5 but Wax Off sounds similar and leaves surfaces squeaky clean.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

@@chrisbradley3224 that does sound similar, you're right. I think the fact that the guy I spoke to from Kamikaze telling me to wash it off afterwards is a big thing that is completely missed in the instructions, and it applies to both these products. They both looked completely flat after a rinse down, but we're clearly masking a lot.

[@keithblacknell957]

A timely video for me as i purchased some no.5 a while ago. With the weather improving (hopefully) i want to use it for stripping waxes as I have quite a few to try. Great tips which I would not have got from the instructions. Much appreciated jet powered ferret.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

You are very welcome! The thing that I'm most unsure about is how to leave it on for, there's absolutely no instructions on that particular topic!

[@MrGymCrazy]

Great video, as always. Though not cheap, I bought some Kamikaze on the strength of Brian's demo. I'd already bought some Wash Plus+ for a spring clean and had reservations about the micro abrasive so I'll be trying the No.5 Anti-Aging Cleansing.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I would say it's going to be pretty safe that you won't be disappointed, but definitely make sure you wash it off afterwards, you can see that it was masking until that was done.

[@talljim2m794]

Great informative video as always. Fully agree with both methods having their merits and as always using the right method based on the situation. Wash+ is awesome but as you say I would only use if I am polishing afterwards. kamikaze sounds perfect for non polishing situations were you just want a clean slate.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I think so too. I could potentially work it harder than I did, not sure due to the lack of instructions. I shall try and contact Kamikaze or Ultimate Finish to get some advice.

[@Rabreviews]

Love it mate I tested out no5 last year and was blown away with it and very little product used

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Yeah I think I was overly generous here and didn't leave as long of a dwell as I could have, but the instructions don't stipulate that!

[@Rabreviews]

@@SuperchargedLlama yeah hopefully they change that with adding instructions to the bottles

[@markandbow5774]

Great video and informative. Still amazing that manufacturer nstructions on the bottle are still lacking in user information. It seems to encompass a lot of manufacturers.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Especially then to have verbal instructions that added to what was on the documentation online (wash it off afterwards in this case).

[@oops5887]

Thanks for video. Personally i use Fireball WaxOff, just try it. This sunday i've deleted one week old Collinite 845 with ease. Impressed by this product

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I've not heard about that one.

[@triggerhappyautos]

Very interesting video dude. Really enjoyed that. Well presented also. I'm sure ive got an old bottle of EZ reset somewhere. If i remember I will bring some down to UKDA in june so you can give that a comparison 👌👌

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Nice! I'm looking for to that session btw!

[@markmoore6264]

Perfectly timed video, I've got my new to me car to de-con and was thinking of giving the Wash plus a try as I've got some I've not used yet, I've also got some Turtlewax Max Power shampoo which can be diluted accordingly or some High Definition Detail grime zero. Decisions decisions . I've recently tried the DIY Detail gold standard polish using their damp pad method and was very happy with the results, my pad of choice was a Rupes yellow rotary waffle pad on the cordless Dewalt Da.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Ooooh interesting! I'd definitely still pre-wash and wash properly, probably with the Grime Zero, and then use the Meguiars. But I would say you need to then wash again because it does mask a lot, no matter how good your rinsing is, there's still a lot of residue left over.

[@markmoore6264]

@@SuperchargedLlama I've got two days off work coming up to get it up to standard. Can't wait.

[@KarlHampson-TCB]

Great video. First come across kamikaze no5 when I watched rab review it. Still a product I want to try and as you said one that will cause the least amount marring and effort 😁

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I remember talking to Rab about it at Waxstock and we were keen to give it a go. It's one of those ones that I wouldn't hesitate in recommending, but also say that it's not essential, ya know?

[@RajSingh-fs2dr]

Another one hitting the shelves shortly will be Gyeon Total Remover. Interested to see how that performs

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Me too, I wonder if it'll be fairly similar or Kamikaze in application?

[@ItsMeYourRealDad]

That kamikaze seems like good stuff. I've been suggesting it to several detailing channels since I discovered it a while ago. Quick question, you say that it doesn't remove ceramic but what about longer dwell times and several passes? I heard somewhere that it can remove ceramic and that would be revolutionary to safely remove ceramic without polishing. I think possibly more testing is needed

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I reckon it could remove a ceramic sealant, but a true ceramic coating I suspect is out of it's reach. To test that you would need lab conditions really, I'm certainly not going to try it on my vehicles. I guess a scrap panel would suffice, but that's not my bag so I'm not going to do it.

[@nickbonham1262]

I bought some of the megs after watching your first vid really struggle with it as it left my bonnet very patchey so some lsp in some places none in others also when I went to apply lsp after it just wouldn't take to the bonnet I don't use it now might try it again one day

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I know what you mean. At that time it was the best option available, and it really is good for deep cleaning the car. But it seems that for the task of Wax/Sealant removal we have a better option now in terms of the Kamikaze. The megs has it's place, I've got loads of it still, another 3 bottles, so I feel your pain.

[@nickbonham1262]

@SuperchargedLlama Keep up the good work love your vids

[@SuperchargedLlama]

@@nickbonham1262 thank you dude, I really appreciate you watching them and chatting about it in the comments too, that's the bit that makes it worthwhile for me.

[@Washerman]

An interesting one, I must say I was finding it quite difficult to keep up with the speed you were talking but I think I got the gist Are you saying Megs wash plus masks the old waxes even though it has those wash abrasive gritty bits in it?

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Apologies for it being a bit too quick for you, it's a fine balance between short and informative and long and disengaging. I definitely think the Megs masks and needs to be washed off afterwards with a normal, pure shampoo, do you can see what it's done (or not). But I also think it didn't do as much actual removal as the Kamikaze, and in the process it required a lot more rubbing of the paint to achieve the same the worse results.

[@kevinb7058]

Yo Adrian I'm keeping an eye out for Gyeon Total Remover. A sealant and coating remover 🤔

[@SuperchargedLlama]

That'll be interesting. Hopefully it's more like this and less like Wash+

[@BrianW1612]

Interesting video Adrian! I'd question the sponge use for the megs wash+. Personally, I've found watering it down too much reduces it's effective. You don't want it foaming up like mad so I've always used a damp MF mitt as opposed to a dripping wet one, you want it remaining somewhat paste like in use for it to be effective imo. The kamikaze product is very interesting, is there anything on the bottle with regards to being used as a decon wash for light or full blown coatings to declog them? I think it could be a very useful product if it works effectively for that application.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Ooooh interesting, when you say MF mitt, do you mean the long haired ones, or something more like an MF applicator pad? I ask because in my experience the Wash+ dries out really quickly, so it needs a lot of water in whatever you're using to get it on the paint (I've used everything you can think of, apart from a wet MF cloth or applicator pad). If you use a drier wash pad then you can only really work a small area, but that's the opposite of any of the Meguiars videos. Either way, you have to use so much product, don't you? With regards to the Kamikaze, there's no instructions at all on the bottle, and the website doesn't mention declogging, but I am with you, that would be a very useful feature.

[@BrianW1612]

@SuperchargedLlama just a normal MF mitt like the microfibre madness ones or Klin. Never had an issue with it drying out, a damp MF pad/mitt along with the water still on the panel from rinsing is perfect for me. I don't use it on a dirty car either, its always pre-washed & then hand washed with a ph neutral shampoo before going in with the megs+ & working it into the paint otherwise you'll cause damage to the clearcoat. You do need to use a lot, I'd guess around 60-70ml per car but I use it maybe 1-2 per year so my bottles still going after 6 years. Obviously if you are full time & using it for every polishing/coating job you'd go through it quickly.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

​@@BrianW1612what's your personal experience wrt marring of the paint? Or do you polish after washing with Megs+?

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Interesting. I always pre-wash properly (because I'm not an animal) but I had traditionally always done the contact wash with it, whereas you're doing essentially what I did in this video...I shall definitely try it this way again. It's a bit more like a liquid clay in a sense, isn't it? No way near as effective as a clay of course, but also a bit more gentle.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Nice one. Thanks for this. I've got Megs+ and I enjoy using it. Shame it may not do too much. Maybe I should just use Fairy? Ps I did on the windscreen before I got Megs+. Do you have a test panel that you could vigorously clean to see if it does induce any unwanted marring?

[@BrianW1612]

Definitely don't use Fairy. It doesn't strip anything, an old wives tale. It contains a lot of salt & other nasties as well not designed for car clearcoat.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I think the Meg's does actually work well as a deep cleaning shampoo, it's definitely worth it as part of amdeep Decon prior to polishing, but for maintenance....hmmmm. not sure. Forensic Detailing did a test that showed the marring; I don't have test panels... because my wife would kill me 🤣

[@pigeonpoo1823]

@@SuperchargedLlama thanks. YT algorithm to the fore. It recommended a DetailingSchool video (after Jon's) where he demonstrates that Megs+ can cause scratches, but also with the same pressure any wash medium can cause the same level of scratches. Very interesting. I also know I've never applied much pressure, so other than a nice clean on an already clean car, I probably didn't achieve much. Who knows? Again, thanks for the video

[@SuperchargedLlama]

@pigeonpoo1823 oooo see now that is interesting!

[@tonipieleanu]

Did you shake the Megs really really well? It tends to separate and probably the abrassives settle at the bottom,.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Yup, shook the living daylights out of it for the exact same reason you've stated. I actually used it a couple of days prior as well on another job, so ot hadn't even had much time to settle, but I still diligently gave it the good news.

[@tripsingh3642]

Interesting just wanted to clarify koch chemie vb does not strip a wax or sealant my container mentions use 1 10 to strip the protection, which dilution ratio do you use VB

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I'd say you could give it a go but I've never seen Garage Therapy Decon or Koch Vb strip any protection that wasn't absolutely on it's knees. Here's a good demo kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoLVdJ-obc-YqMksi=BWj6CGm_iDZjProX I'm sure it degrades stuff, but not that quickly.

[@clints8888]

never seen a 1/2 and 1/2 bonnet wash being split top and bottom 1/2’s?

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I did both because I was trying to cover all the bases when it comes to different wear characteristics, front to back of side to side. It may not be a thing, but I've covered it anyway!

[@michelevers5916]

can you say something about the amount of swirls or scratches you caused by using wash plus ?

[@SuperchargedLlama]

I can't, but Forensic Detailing did one a few years ago.

[@thedetailinghobbyist]

👍

[@sebastienderidder5418]

you can't use wash plus with your sponge. First wash car with normal shampoo. When car is clean use wash plus on microfiber washmitt. Multiple passes with a little to heavyer amount of pressure on the surface. And use enough product. It works great. The stonger the wax or sealant, the more passes are needed. It is not masking anything. It's a high pH shampoo with abrasive particles in it. The way you used it on your car with that sponge.... It will never work.

[@SuperchargedLlama]

Nonsense, you can use a sponge or a wash mitt/pad or even a MF cloth, it makes absolutely no difference in my experience. The sponge is a far more enjoyable experience to me personally, but it's made no difference to the overall outcome of how effective the Wash+ is, I'm baffled as to why you think otherwise, especially if you've not tried it with the hygan sponge. Also, go and try it for yourself to see if it's masking or not. It absolutely does, it isn't a free rinsing shampoo in the slightest, it leaves so much residue behind, although towel drying does pick up some of it.

[@chunkypisser]

What about Bilt Hamber's Cleanser Fluid? It says on their website that it removes old waxes

[@SuperchargedLlama]

In much the same way that Garage Therapy Decon and Koch Chemie Vb can, cleanser fluid is more like a panel prep, so it can remove oily stuff, like old traditional waxes, but these current ones, especially anything ceramic infused, need a lot more than cleanser fluid can achieve. If you get it off with a lot of rubbing, it's the rubbing that has done most of the work.