Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

[jkk7479]

Ok guys....so I went with the least aggressive method first on My Fiance's 2002 Blue Hyundai Accent ( Big Blue ) we call her. Anyway, I did a wash and clay and then I did her hood as a test area with Ultimate Compound and the Beveled Green Lake Country Pad. The Ultimate Compound took out a lot of the scratches, but I can still see some swirls and scratches when the sun hits it, plus there is still some oxidation. I was thinking of going more aggressive. Here are my thoughts...and please let me know what you think.

Orange Lake Country Pad with M105
Green Lake Country Pad with M205
White Lake Country Pad with Deep Crystal Polish

Thanks!

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

M105 is a compound with the most aggressive cut produced by Meguiars (or just about any other manufacturer). M205 is a cleaner polish with a very light cut, but it's great for following up a compound (M105) to add clarity and restore some polish oils to the paint.

Deep Crystal polish is a pure polish, I think, with no cutting ability.

Your next step up would be M105 on a polishing pad.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

I'd give M105 a try (assume you were using proper technique with the UC). You can then smooth it out with M205.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

105 would be the next step.

[CieraSL]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

Orange Lake Country Pad with M105
Green Lake Country Pad with M205
White Lake Country Pad with Deep Crystal Polish

Looking at this chart, the white pad is actually more aggressive than the green pad, so you would probably not want to use the white pad with Deep Crystal Polish. You want to use either the white pad or the green pad with M205 - that's where your test spot comes in handy. Use a pad with no cut to apply Deep Crystal Polish if you have one, otherwise it would probably be best to apply it by hand.

[Mary S]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

Shane, you're my hero, that is great to have a chart like that!

I would suggest, trying orange with UC first, if that doesn't give you the cut you need go to orange pad with 105, if you don't get enough cut maybe up the pressure and maybe the setting. Once you get the right cut, you can go back to white with 205 to give a more polished finish and get rid of any hazing if any. I wouldn't use a pad with cut with 07, use either black or red, and black, red or gold if you are putting the LSP on with the DA. These 3 do not have any cut, just different softness.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

Shane, you're my hero, that is great to have a chart like that!

+1

I never saw that chart before. Thanks

[Garage Troll]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

I had to with 105 on my Saturn too. Sounds like your paint is pretty tough. Just make sure you aren't applying too much pressure to the DA as it will stop the pad from spinning. That's the problem I had until Mike S. came to the rescue. After that I was golde.

[jkk7479]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

Looking at this chart, the white pad is actually more aggressive than the green pad, so you would probably not want to use the white pad with Deep Crystal Polish. You want to use either the white pad or the green pad with M205 - that's where your test spot comes in handy. Use a pad with no cut to apply Deep Crystal Polish if you have one, otherwise it would probably be best to apply it by hand.

Shane,

Thank you for the chart, but I believe I have a different Green Pad. The green pad I got from Autogeek said it was more aggressive. I believe the name was the "beveled" green pad. It also "feels more aggressive than the white"

Either way, Thank you for the good advice....I will definitely only use the black pad for the deep crystal polish. I think I will go Orange with 105, then green with 205....then black.

Thanks guys

[Lasthope05]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

I think you should go back and give Ultimate Compound another try. More often people are quick to recommend/use a stronger compound than they need to. If 2 hits of UC does not give you the results you are after I would then move on. If you can achieve what you want with 2 hit and are able to prevent excessive clear coat removal they why not stick to it?

Looking at this chart, the white pad is actually more aggressive than the green pad, so you would probably not want to use the white pad with Deep Crystal Polish. You want to use either the white pad or the green pad with M205 - that's where your test spot comes in handy. Use a pad with no cut to apply Deep Crystal Polish if you have one, otherwise it would probably be best to apply it by hand.

There are two different types of green pads by LC and if he has the European(coarse) foam then it is more aggressive than the white.

http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-ccs-6pack.html

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

Unless the beveled green pad you're using is equally as aggressive as the LC orange pad, we would suggest staying with the UC and moving to that orange pad before going to M105. UC is much, much more forgiving on a D/A than M105 is and the cut isn't that far off.

It is critically important to use proper pressure (almost enough to stop the pad from rotating, but not quite), proper tool speed (definitely 5, don't drop down to 4), proper arm speed (move very slowly across the paint - this is where most people have problems) and work just small areas at a time (2' x 2' is absolute max on paint that is being stubborn to correct). If you do any one of these "wrong" you'll limit any product/pad combination's ability to correct. Do two of them "wrong" together and you'll be forever frustrated.

If this guy, a first timer to machine polishing, can get the results he got with a D/A, UC and a Meguiar's polishing pad on what is extremely hard paint, you can do it too.

[Dubbin1]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

UC on an orange pad
205 on an orange pad
Deep Crystal Polish on a white pad

That should take care of it

[Shawn T.]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

I would step down to the white pad (I assume Lake Country) when using the M205 as it is a finishing polish. Using it on an orange pad can be done but it would really only be used if the paint is acting strange or if you were experimenting. The orange pad is really meant for removing defects (from my knowledge), not finishing.

I would procede to use DC2 (Deep Crystal Polish) on a black finishing pad, red pad or gold jeweling pad. Any three of these pads are suitable for a pure polish and/or wax.

All references to the pads are made with the assumption that Lake Country pads are the medium for cleaning and polishing.

[Mary S]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

There are two different types of green pads by LC and if he has the European(coarse) foam then it is more aggressive than the white.

http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-ccs-6pack.html

I can see it is nice to be able to modify the cut with the pad, but there is such a thing as too many choices, and having 2 greens ..... hey, I'm just saying...

[jkk7479]

Re: Ultimate Compound did ok...need something more aggressive

Here is an update gentleman....

I tried UC with the Orange pad...using proper technique. Plenty of pressure, arm speed was slow, went over the area with several passes, and the machine was on 5 then 6. I still didn't get the results I wanted. I am wondering if I should step up to the Yellow Pad or just stick with the Orange and use M105. I can't believe how difficult this paint is to correct.

Thanks for the suggestions.