M80 After M105?

[NC Miata in NC]

I'm thinking of finally breaking down and buying some M105 now that it's certified for use with the DA. But, I still have a good bit of M83 & M80 left in my arsenal.

I know M105 is a pretty aggressive product, and many times it isn't LSP ready after using it. So, my question is, should I also buy M205, or would something like M80 work fine to clean up whatever M105 leaves?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Nappers]

Re: M80 After M105?

M80 is a great product and it would not be a problem using it.

It is a different product than than the new product with it's diminishing abrasives versus Super Micro abrasive Technology.

But if you have used it before, then you know how to use it. I still have a ton of M80 left and my GMC Yukon loves it.

Use away if needed when you dial in a process.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: M80 After M105?

I just used M80 via G110 to clean up some holograms after aggressive rotary use with M105 on a very hard paint and it worked great.

[the_invisible]

Re: M80 After M105?

M205 has an aggressiveness level similar to M80. The difference is, as mentioned, the two technologies; one uses an abrasive agent that diminishes as you work the product in, one uses some sort of super micro abrasive agent that doesn't break down.

If you like, you could even use SwirlX to follow up the M105 application.

[NC Miata in NC]

Re: M80 After M105?

Cool, so that will work. Looks like I can just go ahead and get M105 for now. I'll probably get M205 later on when I run out of M80. I just figured I might as well use up the rest of my M80 if I can...

I just wanted to get something stronger for when I run into the occasional friend / neighbor's car that is little beyond M83, or is bad enough to where it would need several steps unless I have something like M105.

Thanks everyone!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: M80 After M105?

Are you working on vehicles other than your MX5? If not, you may want to reconsider the M105. Crazy as it sounds, that may not be your best product choice for your vehicle. Without making sweeping generalizations, the factory paint used on every Miata/MX5 that we've seen come through our garage, or that we've worked on for friends and family, has always been quite soft and workable. We recently had a situation where an MOL member was working on his black NC and was struggling to remove defects using M105 and even a W7209 cutting pad on a G110 (note: that pad is not recommended for use with the G110). He tried stepping down to a W8207 polishing pad with M105 but still wasn't achieving the result he was after. We had him step waaaay down to M205 on a W9207 finishing pad on speed 4, which he admitted seemed counter intuitive at first, but the results were simply outstanding. He finished up with M20 Polymer Sealant - the car looked gorgeous when he was done!

Keep in mind that, while M105 really is an amazing product, it's original design intent was to pull out 1500 grit sanding marks using a rotary buffer and wool pad. If you're properly maintaining your vehicle, and you know that vehicle to have fairly soft paint, M105 may well be too aggressive for your needs. You asked earlier "should I also buy M205, or would something like M80 work fine to clean up whatever M105 leaves?" On delicate paint, why bother risking what a very aggressive product might leave and just go right into what will give you the best finish instead? It will save you time, effort, and paint.

[NC Miata in NC]

Re: M80 After M105?

Michael,

I was mostly planning on using M105 on friends and family's cars that have lots of swirling and paint contaminants.

However, I will keep that in mind when it comes to maintaining my Miata's finish. Maybe I should also pick up some M205 as well then, if it works really well for the black NC paint. I never would have thought to use a finishing pad for polishing either. Thanks for the info!

[jmakado]

Re: M80 After M105?

The main difference in M205 and M80 to my eye is the level of clarity. M205 leaves a much sharper clearer look. M80 makes the paint look very wet and does a great job also. If you are working on really dry paint M80 is a little more friendly IMO.

[the_invisible]

Re: M80 After M105?

The main difference in M205 and M80 to my eye is the level of clarity. M205 leaves a much sharper clearer look. M80 makes the paint look very wet and does a great job also. If you are working on really dry paint M80 is a little more friendly IMO.

Interesting finding!!!

Which, in your opinion, is more ideal as a universal polish for a diverse variety of cars. I have five cars in my entire household and they all have very different paint characteristics and color.

[jmakado]

Re: M80 After M105?

M205 hands down is a more versatile polish. By this I mean that you can control the amount of cut more with different pads and pressure.

With M80 you pretty much get what you get...which is a nice finishing glossy polish with mild cleaning abilities.

Like I said above, they are both great. M205 just finishes a little sharper and is more versatile than M80.

[Blackcharger06]

Re: M80 After M105?

I also have a bottle of 80 left and ran out of 83. I just ordered a bottle of m105 to see what all the hype is about. I've used 7 in the past after 80, would this still be the case with 105/205 or even 105/80?