How do you get the ultimate compound off the car?

[ShinyCar]

I've seen people using the buffer to put it on the car, but how do you get it off? Do you wipe if off with microfiber by hand? You don't get it off with the DA polisher and different bonnet do you?

My car, inherited, was never detailed, so I was going to clay it and the use the ultimate compound. The paint is not wretched but has lots of "stuff" on it that a baggie test would show (or no baggie for that matter).

Oh, since it's my first post, am I the only one that loves the smell of Mequiar's products? I love that smell. I can't stop using it just because of the smell!.


Thanks.

[davey g-force]

Re: How do you get the ultimate compound off the car?

Yes, you remove UC by hand with a clean MF towel. Don't let it dry before removing - remove while still wet.

...And yes, some of the Meg's smells are quite addicive!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How do you get the ultimate compound off the car?

Welcome to MOL!

You're definitely not the first to notice the very pleasant aroma of many of our products, that's for sure, but we're glad you like it!


As for removing Ultimate Compound, this is a very common question from first time users of a buffer. In fact, a lot of people make the assumption that you remove product with a buffer because they've had such problems removing product in the past and figure the buffer will make life easier. In fact, it's the application process that's difficult and requires real energy, especially with compounds and other cleaners designed to remove defects from the paint. These are mechanical abrasives that require them to be physically worked against the paint in order to remove those defects, and they only do their thing during that process. Compounds, polishes and paint cleaners should not be allowed to dry on the surface because they can be quite difficult to remove when dry, and you gain absolutely nothing positive by allowing them to dry. Again, they only do what you want them to do while being worked against the paint. That's the hard part, and it's where a buffer makes life so much easier. When properly applied and worked, compounds and paint cleaners become thinner on the surface to the point of being more like a translucent film - at this point it's time to stop buffing and simply wipe them off. The wipe off is the easy part.

Waxing is similar though a bit different. Many people apply too much pressure, and thereby create way more work than they should, when applying wax. Waxing alone (unless you're using a fairly potent cleaner wax) won't fix paint defects, so there's no reason at all to work that hard when applying it. All you need to do is spread a thin and reasonably uniform coating of wax onto the surface and let it dry before removal. Using a buffer for application of wax makes it extremely easy to apply that thin, uniform coating. People also have a tendency to apply wax way too heavy, and that can make it difficult to remove. And there's no need to aggressive hand buff the wax in an attempt to make it shine more. Car wax just doesn't work that way. So if you're working hard to wipe off your dried wax and/or you're buffing it after wipe off, you've just applied it and/or are wiping it off wrong. A properly applied wax, whether liquid or paste, carnauba or synthetic, will wipe off with ease using just a microfiber towel. Laying it on thick leaves nothing additional on the paint (no more protection) and all it does is waste product, cause it to take longer to dry, and makes wipe off much harder than it needs to be.

So, apply a compound fairly aggressively with a buffer and it will remove those defects pretty quickly and easily. Work it until it's quite thin and translucent on the surface and wipe off will be simple. Apply a wax with a buffer using a fairly light touch and you'll spread it thin and uniform with little effort. It will dry quickly and wipe off by hand with little effort.

[yfwong]

Re: How do you get the ultimate compound off the car?

I use quik detailer to wipe them off.