Review: Meguiar`s Plastx!!

**Tim Lingor** · 07-01-2003, 07:04 PM

Hey everyone!

I thought that I should add to the tips section, a review on one of the best plastic cleaner polishes I have ever tried---Meguiar`s Plastx!!

My wife`s new car had a couple of scratches in the plastic trim around the CD player and on the headlights of her new car, so I decided to give Meguiar`s Plastx a try. I have used both Meguiar`s Professional Plastic Polish #10 and their Professional Plastic Cleaner #17 with usually excellent results. But I am never one to be satisfied, so I wanted to try MeguiarÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s new Plastx product with its new Ã¢â‚¬Å“Diminishing Micro-Abrasive TechnologyÃ¢â‚¬. What I liked the most about the product is that it contains no solvents; something I like to keep away from plastic.

The first thing I noticed is the smell that is quite pleasant. To me, it is a very important characteristic as I do not want a cleaner that I will be using on the gauge cluster and other interior plastic parts to smell like strong chemicals! The second thing I noticed is that it is thick and almost like a gel but in a light white/blue liquid. Hence, it will not run down the vertical surfaces very easily making it perfect for the aforementioned gauge cluster.

My wifeÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s car had a scratch in the plastic around the CD player that was really annoying as it stood out very well! I used the Plastx on a microfiber cloth and rubbed it into the surface very thoroughly. I removed the excess right away with another microfiber cloth and buffed. It almost removed the whole mark so I repeated the procedure. On the second attempt, it was gone! I am one happy man as that mark really bothered me, especially on a brand new car! What I liked about the product is that it is not too aggressive; I needed to use a second application. In my eyes that is a good thing as plastic is easily scratched and an aggressive product may make matters worse.

I decided to try the product on the headlights. Again, I applied the Plastx with a microfiber and wiped it off with a clean one. The lights came out spectacular!! The plastic is so clear and has excellent gloss!

To sum up, I really love MeguiarÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Plastx. It cleans and polishes in one easy step. Since I tend to spend a lot of time detailing, any product that does such an excellent job, and in one step, is definitely one of my favorites!

Tim

Here is a pic of the headlights:

(Originally posted on www.showcargarage.com)

**iceman** · 07-01-2003, 07:10 PM

How does it compare with Plexus or other products you have tried?

**Deanski** · 07-01-2003, 07:38 PM

I tried it on a "clear bra" with small scratch on it and it did NADA, nothing, zero!

Looks I may have to go Plexus or Novus.

Regards,

Deanski

**JasonC8301** · 07-01-2003, 07:48 PM

Dean, get Novus, Plexus is just a upkeep detailer like Meguiar`s #18.

Have you tried using your finger with Plastix and rubbing the scratched finish for hours on end? (Well I wear a tight polyester glove now.) This seems to get the scratch out but take a alot of rubbing.

Well maybe not, Novus sounds like a good bet.

**Tim Lingor** · 07-01-2003, 07:56 PM

Hey Iceman!

I have the Plexus, and I have both Meguiar`s Professional Series #10 Plastic Polish and #17 Plastic Cleaner.

In comparing it to Plexus, I have to say that it works a lot better! Plexus is a lot easier to use, but it does very little to the scratches. The Plastx just seems to get more of the scratches out .

In comparison to Meguiar`s own #10 and #17, I can say without a doubt that Plastx smells a heck of a lot better!!! In terms of performance, this Meguiar`s combo(#10 and #!7) has been my old stand by for reliability. I know that I can always count on them to do the job! BUT, along comes Plastx with its diminishing abrasives. I find that it does not quite equal the Meguiar`s Combo, but it comes in at 95% as close!! Plus, it is only one step!!

The trick with using Plastx is in how it is worked in. Those diminishing abrasives need to be worked in very well!! I did one light by just wiping it on and wiping it off. The gloss was fine but the scratches remain. In that sense, I would have to give Plexus the nod if it was just a wipe on, wipe off type of product.

On the other light however, I really worked the Plastx in! The difference was remarkable!! The best part was the len`s clarity and gloss!! In a way, Plastx reminds me of DACP in the way it needs to be worked in and broken down.

Overall, that Plastx is one of the best plastic cleaners around. If you want the absolute best IMHO, then Meguiar`s combo of #10 and #17 would be on my list. If you want very close performance to that of the Meg`s combo in a one step, then Plastx is it.

Cheers!

Tim

**iceman** · 07-01-2003, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by 2hotford

Overall, that Plastx is one of the best plastic cleaners around. If you want very close performance to that of the Meg`s combo in a one step, then Plastx is it.

Where can you find it? At Canadian Tire or Lordco? And have you tried it on the guages? Is it safe here or is the plastic somewhat softer and might get lots of micro-scratches instead, making it look hazy? I have a few scratches visible on the tachometer that drive me up the wall!

**Tim Lingor** · 07-01-2003, 08:07 PM

Originally posted by JasonC8301

Dean, get Novus, Plexus is just a upkeep detailer like Meguiar`s #18.

Have you tried using your finger with Plastix and rubbing the scratched finish for hours on end? (Well I wear a tight polyester glove now.) This seems to get the scratch out but take a alot of rubbing.

Well maybe not, Novus sounds like a good bet.

Hi Jason,

As I said, it needs to be worked in really well. Usually for headlights, I use a mushroom polishing buff on a high speed drill. I have not tried this with the Plastx yet but I have a feeling that will work very well based on what I have seen so far! Anything with diminshing abrasives needs to be worked in. Besides, I would rather have a product that I can work in slowly to remove marks than an aggressive one that might cause more damage with micro-marring.

oh, and Jason, why are you using your finger to apply a plastic polish/cleaner?

Tim

**JasonC8301** · 07-01-2003, 08:10 PM

Used lots of Brasso on my finger tip to shine up my name tags back in HS. Also use Brasso and lots of rubbing to remove scuffs on my poromeric shoes (I can`t seem to find the old style leather oxfords anywhere.)

**C. Charles Hahn** · 07-01-2003, 08:17 PM

can we get a picture of the packaging so we know what to look for? I`ve been to a few auto supply stores recently looking at stuff and haven`t seen anything like that

**Tim Lingor** · 07-01-2003, 08:17 PM

Hi Iceman,

You can actually get it at both places. I think Canadian Tire will probably have the better price on it. I think Canadian Tire has 15% off Meguiar`s products this week, but I am not sure.

As to the gauge cluster, that is tough one. They ALWAYs seem to show marks with which ever product you use! Just using your finger (a la Jason

) to wipe the dust off causes scratches!! Honestly, the Meguiar`s #10 and #17 combo might be a little better for the gauge cluster (that way you can spend more time on which ever step, cleaning or polishing that you need more of). These are available at Lordco.

I will try the Plastx on my truck`s gauge cluster and post some pics. I have only so far tried it on the headlights and some plastic trim. But I will try it out on the cluster and let you know!

Tim

**Deanski** · 07-01-2003, 08:22 PM

Well, I`ll try again on the Armorglove... Darn MF towel had something on it or I rubbed too damn hard on the Armorglove and got a scratch. I also see what I think was a stone hit, damn thing must have been a bolder from the mark. I guess I`m being too careful on the film, all I need is more scratches.

See my post on what 3M said. They even say to try Plastix.

But, I need to have some Novus on-hand anyway, hell it`s only money!

Regards,

Deanski

**Tim Lingor** · 07-01-2003, 09:19 PM

Hey Iceman!

I just finished doing the dash gauge cluster on my Super Duty with the Plastx! To say that I am impressed is an understatement!!

I did find again, I really had to work it in really well with a MF. The product starts out a light Baby Blue but after rubbing it in, it goes clear. It is at this point that I wiped what little residue was left. If I wiped it off sooner, I ended up adding micro marring. So I was right in my assumption that it is similar to the method of applying DACP in that if it is worked in well enough, the finish is flawless!!

Here is a before and after pic:

Before:

and after Meguiar`s Plastx !!!

Wow! My gauge cluster has never looked so great!!

Now the face plate on my CD player is next!!!

Tim

**iceman** · 07-01-2003, 09:22 PM

Thanks Tim. I think I will go look for this stuff and test it on my old Accord first before it touches my 350Z.

**rstype** · 07-01-2003, 09:22 PM

Nice review on PlastX. Do you think it`s okay to use on paint? Maybe it`ll work as a nice, fine polish... the gel consistency seems interesting. From what I`ve heard, #17 is just #7 SCG repackaged.

**Tim Lingor** · 07-01-2003, 09:35 PM

Hey Iceman!

I would try it on your Accord FIRST so as you can get the feel of using it! It is hard to sit there and buff and buff until the product breaks down but it is worth it!!! Just make sure that you break the product down!!!

Good Luck and let us know, OK?

BW,

I do not believe that #7 and #17 are the same product. I agree that they smell and look similar but the consistency is different.

I would not use a plastic polish on paint. But I have used it many times on clear coated wheels!! You should see the shine it gives to them!!! Try it!!

Cheers!

Tim