Heavy Cut compound recommendations needed.. Trying to get rid of 3M!

I`m looking for some advice. I do mostly used car recon work.. This week has been a busy week: Two black quad cab Rams and a black `98 BMW 528i that had been through 10 years of gas station car washes. Not fun



I`ve always used 3M extra cut (06061) on vehicles like this because it cuts hard, and usually takes ~2 passes at the most. But, it is not the easiest product to work with and it dusts more than anything else out there.



My process for the BMW was:



3M 06061 extra cut/green LC pad ~1500 RPMs (rotary)

Menzerna IP/3M grey polishing pad ~1500 RPM

106ff/3M ultrafina blue pad 1400RPM

Blackfire Wet Diamond x2



The results were excellent. I achieved about ~90% correction, a few RIDS remained but I only spot wetsanded and was instructed to be cautious. I spent a lot of time on it though, it took a full 1 1/2 days to complete.. And compounding took as long as anything. I am looking for recommendations on a cutting compound to replace the 3M without losing any cut. I`d really like something with a little more work time and definitely less clean-up. I have some Optimum HC, but honestly it`s never really worked for me. Tried tons of different pad combos and I`ve just never been satisfied with the cut. Anyone have any advice?

I use Body Magic by Auto Magic with a synthetic wool pad or for really bad scratches I use a full on wool pad, hardly any dust and little hair from the wool pad, but the paint just comes out amazing. Also I only have to cut the car once, maybe two times in some spots, then wax.



Good luck.

Meguiar`s 105. It works in like 1/5 of the time of 3M, cuts comprably, finishes far better. It`s a miracle product.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jbraswell

I`m looking for some advice. I do mostly used car recon work.. This week has been a busy week: Two black quad cab Rams and a black `98 BMW 528i that had been through 10 years of gas station car washes. Not fun



I`ve always used 3M extra cut (06061) on vehicles like this because it cuts hard, and usually takes ~2 passes at the most. But, it is not the easiest product to work with and it dusts more than anything else out there.



My process for the BMW was:



3M 06061 extra cut/green LC pad ~1500 RPMs (rotary)

Menzerna IP/3M grey polishing pad ~1500 RPM

106ff/3M ultrafina blue pad 1400RPM

Blackfire Wet Diamond x2



The results were excellent. I achieved about ~90% correction, a few RIDS remained but I only spot wetsanded and was instructed to be cautious. I spent a lot of time on it though, it took a full 1 1/2 days to complete.. And compounding took as long as anything. I am looking for recommendations on a cutting compound to replace the 3M without losing any cut. I`d really like something with a little more work time and definitely less clean-up. I have some Optimum HC, but honestly it`s never really worked for me. Tried tons of different pad combos and I`ve just never been satisfied with the cut. Anyone have any advice?

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Glad to see I`m not the only one that can`t get OHC to work.



I still haven`t used M105, but it sure seems to be the hot thing as far as heavy cut compounds right now. I`ve been using Menz Power Gloss or HTEC for my heavy hitters, and have been very happy with them MPG does dust alot, though.



There`s quite a few threads about the new M105. Lot`s of information, which is good, because the learning curve on it seems to be kinda high.

I`ll 2nd that vote for M105, works very quickly and leaves a spectacular finish for being a heavy cut compound.

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Originally Posted by SuperBee364

Glad to see I`m not the only one that can`t get OHC to work.



I still haven`t used M105, but it sure seems to be the hot thing as far as heavy cut compounds right now. I`ve been using Menz Power Gloss or HTEC for my heavy hitters, and have been very happy with them MPG does dust alot, though.



There`s quite a few threads about the new M105. Lot`s of information, which is good, because the learning curve on it seems to be kinda high.

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I wish I could get the OHC to work, its very easy to work with and you can work with it forever.. Just doesn`t have any bite for me.



I`ll look into the M105, thanks for the suggestions!

105 for sure...works wonders by pc or rotary...



HTEC cuts less but leaves a brighter finish

PG cuts more than HTEC, but less that 105, but dusts like crazy



those are my personal experiences...

Try adding a bit of OHC to the 3m to reduce dusting. I think 3m is about to introduce a new compound similar to 105-you might want to hold off till it`s available. 105 seems to be great but some have had issues with it gumming up.

Scottwax has mentioned using a 70/30 M105/OC mixture with a longer work in time. I have actually mixed a bottle myself (75/25) but haven`t actually tried it out yet.

Kinda surprised nobody except dynamic (oh SuperBee...) suggested also switching to a wool pad for the compounding.



FWIW, I found HT EC a *lot* milder than the 3M Extra Cut I have, but my 3M is the older PI-III stuff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Accumulator

Kinda surprised nobody except dynamic (oh SuperBee...) suggested also switching to a wool pad for the compounding.



FWIW, I found HT EC a *lot* milder than the 3M Extra Cut I have, but my 3M is the older PI-III stuff.

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Yeah that`s the 6060.. That stuff is even worse. The 61 doesn`t contain abrasives. If I were to mix some OHC to get a little more time out of it what ratio should I go with? 75/25?



I`ve never really messed with wool pads extensively. I`ve used it to do spot-correction, but thats all

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Accumulator

Kinda surprised nobody except dynamic (oh SuperBee...) suggested also switching to a wool pad for the compounding.



FWIW, I found HT EC a *lot* milder than the 3M Extra Cut I have, but my 3M is the older PI-III stuff.

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Hehe, I guess I overlooked what the OP had mentioned. Wool is definitely better and safer for correction.

HTEC is milder than TOL claims.

HTEC should do the job quickly and easily, I`m not familiar with meguiars 105, have never used their machine polishes but it seems that 105 has some grunt to it

Does anyone have much experience with the Clearkote Compound Moose? I did a search on it a while back, and didn`t come up with a lot of information. I have a bottle in my garage that someone gave me to try, and haven`t messed with it. I was thinking of playing around, and mixing a little of it with M105.