In-Depth Review: Meguiar’s Ultimate Quik Wax (2020)

TheDrive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.

Spray waxes are somewhat the runt of the wax litter. Compared to liquid and paste waxes, spray options don't offer as much in terms of overall look and performance, despite what companies claim. At the same time, many people are drawn to a good spray wax because of one thing: ultimate convenience. If you aren't the type of person who enjoys spending hours upon hours caressing every inch of your vehicle, a spray wax is most likely for you.

This is the target audience Meguiar's has largely thought of in designing their Ultimate Quik Wax. As a single spray bottle, this high-quality synthetic wax is meant to be applied quickly and easily in just a fraction of the time as other waxes. For the most part, this wax stays true to the aim of all spray car waxes: It doesn't sell itself as the best wax you can buy. Still, Meguiar's makes some interesting claims about how it stacks up to other wax options. In some departments, the wax delivers. In others, however, there's room for improvement.

Related Review: Best Car Wax

Meguiar's really emphasizes the "quik" part of this wax's name in its design. The spray bottle itself is one of the fastest ways to apply a decent wax coat onto any vehicle without spending hours outside. Coming in 15 fluid ounces, the bottle is similar in size to other cleaning products. The design isn't too heavy and sports a semi-ergonomic feel that is comfortable in the hand. Designed for single-handed use, it's easy to take a run-and-gun approach to your car care.

While the physical design of the spray wax bottle is top-notch, the formula itself is harder to judge on paper. On one hand, you can take Meguiar's word and hype about the fancy "hydrophobic polymers" the spray uses, but results tend to deviate from description and reality. If you take the company's word, you can expect a spray wax that rivals many liquid waxes (and perhaps even a few paste waxes) in look and protection. The company promises no leftover residue, top-notch water beading results, a "deep shine/wet look" finish, and application in direct sunlight.

Suffice it to say, there is a lot of hype to live up to in the product description. One thing to give Meguiar's credit for, however, is the projected longevity. While some waxes last for months, Meguiar's is careful to admit that you should expect a few weeks of protection before needing to re-apply the wax. 

When it comes to convenience, Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax actually delivers on the hype. The bottle design is comfortable in the hand and does well not to fatigue the grip if you are working on larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks. At 15 fluid ounces, you shouldn't expect a lot of wax leftover on larger vehicles, but it should be more than enough for a single uniform coat onto the paint finish depending on how much you apply.

Getting the wax onto the vehicle is where the product shines, figuratively and literally. The spray nozzle does a good job of creating a uniform spray pattern to distribute the wax. It isn't too narrow or powerful to uncontrollably spray the wax all over the place. Instead, the wax covers a large swath with good distribution. 

When it comes time to wipe off the wax, this step is a slightly different story, however. Despite the company's promise, the wax requires a little more effort to wipe it off of the surface without leaving noticeable marks on the finish. You can get the job done by hand with a good microfiber towel, but something with a bit of power will probably get the job done faster and better if you want to maximize the time saved while waxing. 

What should you expect from the "ultimate spray wax?" It all depends on what you expect from spray waxes in general. This is one type of wax that is all about convenience. Compared to liquid and paste waxes, you shouldn't expect the same level of shine, protection, or longevity as the other types. Instead, using a spray wax is all about a tradeoff: You trade results/protection for convenience. 

In this regard, the results of Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax are on par with other sprays. The resulting finish does have a good shine that is comparable with other spray waxes and even a few lower-end liquid options. With that said, you shouldn't expect anything rivaling the best waxes, especially tedious carnauba waxes that many professional detailers swear by. The result will also depend on the quality of car wash and polish you put onto the vehicle beforehand.

On the protection front, the wax delivers on the most basic promises. Water beads effectively and prevents streaks and mild dirt/grime from sticking onto the surface. The UV protection, on the other hand, is more difficult to judge. Typically, you need a decent amount of time and multiple re-applications to see if wax is doing its job in preserving the paint. The longevity of Ultimate Quik Wax, however, makes this difficult.

Lasting a few weeks at best, this is a maintenance wax more than anything. If you really want to see a test of its protection against UV rays, be prepared to commit to this wax for several months or even years. A quick application once or twice a month would be enough to see if this wax lives up to its protection hype. 

Finally, this wax is a bit tricky in the application when it comes to wiping it off. If you don't take the time or use the right technique/tools, you may find some streaks or haze on the finish, especially with dark and black cars. 

It's certainly not the best car wax out there, but Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax definitely makes a good case for being one of the best quick-and-easy waxes you can buy. The application is truly quick, although the removal isn't quite as speedy as advertised. The protection is also good enough for a few weeks. If convenience is at the top of your priority list when it comes to car care, this wax is definitely something to consider, especially if you are new to DIY car detailing or are looking for another affordable option to check out.

Final Verdict: This is a great value wax to choose for routine car care maintenance. Just don't expect too much in terms of getting the ultimate protection and look.