EBPcivicsi
GOT PREP?
Picus said:
Again, interesting about the HC--is your HC a bright yellow color? I can't remember which one is in my bin(leveler or compound)--just remember the color.
Compared compounds today...
- Thread starter RAG
- Start date
Again, interesting about the HC--is your HC a bright yellow color? I can't remember which one is in my bin(leveler or compound)--just remember the color.
Envious Eric
New member
so Ryan, if you had to choose one for every car, what would it be?
Accumulator
Well-known member
TortoiseAWD said:
I'm getting confused on these little details...I thought the EC was the water based one and that was why it's only (officially) recommended for use by rotary
I thought the light/medium/heavy were all the same, base-wise. I have no idea whether any of this matters and I'm sure not :argue just getting mixed up and I could just be mis-remembering 
I've had some weird things happen with some products when I let water enter the picture, but I'm guessing that's not an issue with a water-based leveler.
imported_smprince1
New member
I was also told by Hi-Temp that the Light and Medium Cut Levelers are solvent based, and the Heavy and Extreme Cut Levelers are water based.
For this reason, they also said the Light and Medium can be used with the dual action polisher, and the Heavy and Extreme require the heat of a rotary to remove defects.
I know some users have had success using dual action polishers with Heavy and Extreme Cuts on this forum.
For this reason, they also said the Light and Medium can be used with the dual action polisher, and the Heavy and Extreme require the heat of a rotary to remove defects.
I know some users have had success using dual action polishers with Heavy and Extreme Cuts on this forum.
imported_paradigm
New member
so for PC use...you guys are recommending HTHC (leveler) over OHC for better cut but still retaining a good finish?
http://www.topoftheline.com/32ozheavcutp.html
?
http://www.topoftheline.com/32ozheavcutp.html
?
imported_Picus
New member
ebpcivicsi said:
Yes, the leveler is bright yellow. I have the 32oz bottle and it is labelled as "357 Magnum", the Heavy Cut COUPOUND is a brownish color.
imported_Picus
New member
paradigm said:
I personally think HTHC leveler has more cut and a better finish than OHC by rotary or PC, but that's just me. Word is a new OHC is in the works so we will see how that goes.
[quote name='Picus']Interesting! I came to the same conclusion, as much as I like EC, HC is my "go to"; since on even average/hard paint you can go from it to LSP.
Picus, to be clear, are you going straight from #357 (with a final finishing pad via rotary) to a wax/sealant on some colors? Personally, I've gotten a little to conservative for that in my old age, even though it could probably be done on silver or white if a soft enough pad was used...106FF will always be my final finishing step tills something better comes along.
To confirm your findings, I did a metallic black car yesterday. Went from #420 Extreme Cut via white LCVC (all rotary, btw) to #357 via original white Propel pad (super soft) to 106ff with green P2...but seriously, after 357 I pulled it into the sun an the halograms were very very light - amazing considering it was a black car I just "compounded"...shoot, I'd get more halograms if I used SSR 2 (which has about 1/3 the cut)!
Picus, to be clear, are you going straight from #357 (with a final finishing pad via rotary) to a wax/sealant on some colors? Personally, I've gotten a little to conservative for that in my old age, even though it could probably be done on silver or white if a soft enough pad was used...106FF will always be my final finishing step tills something better comes along.
To confirm your findings, I did a metallic black car yesterday. Went from #420 Extreme Cut via white LCVC (all rotary, btw) to #357 via original white Propel pad (super soft) to 106ff with green P2...but seriously, after 357 I pulled it into the sun an the halograms were very very light - amazing considering it was a black car I just "compounded"...shoot, I'd get more halograms if I used SSR 2 (which has about 1/3 the cut)!
imported_Picus
New member
RAG said:
I've only done it on one car, a white Audi - the paint was so hard that HC finished down perfectly clear; I couldn't find even the slightest micromarring. On some other cars (an imola red M3, a black E55 (ya, black)) I could have done it, but like you I am stuck in the habit of *always* finishing with 106FF, even if I know I don't need to.
Like you, I notice more halograms/micromarring from some polishes with way less cut, IP for example.
smprince1 said:
Are you getting the Levelers confused with the Compounds? On the TopoftheLine website, it states that HC Leveler can even be used by hand, DA, or rotary, whereas EC should be used by rotary.
Now, the compounds all require rotary, to break down the abrasives properly.
Just wondering...
Mike
imported_smprince1
New member
TigerMike said:Are you getting the Levelers confused with the Compounds? On the TopoftheLine website, it states that HC Leveler can even be used by hand, DA, or rotary, whereas EC should be used by rotary.
Now, the compounds all require rotary, to break down the abrasives properly.
Just wondering...
Mike
No, I specifically asked about the Levelers by product number (not the compounds) when I called Hi-Temp.
I'm not saying you can't use via DA, I'm just repeating what the guy on the other end of the phone told me. I know some people have used with DA and liked.
TortoiseAWD
New member
That's pretty much what the counter guy said to me as well, as far as generating a bit of heat to get HC and EC to work as intended. We did talk about rotary vs. orbital . . . it's pretty much a time trade-off. I got the impression there's no problem using HC and EC with an orbital, it's just going to take longer to get the abrasives to break down, and you may need to follow with a lighter polish if you can't get the diminishing abrasives to break down completely. My Cyclo has no problem getting paint warm to the touch with a cutting pad as long as I keep the travel speed of the buffer down (slow passes to let the pad generate the friction needed to break down the abrasives), and I've had good luck with HC finishing out pretty clear that way.smprince1 said:
I can't speak for using Heavy Cut with a PC, as I stick with my Cyclo for heavy polishing these days. However, I did chat with the counter guy long ago about using their heavier compounds with a Porter Cable, and IIRC, he said the problem you run into is that the compounds don't finish as well as they do with a rotary or Cyclo; you may end up with micromarring left over from abrasives not broken down completely. His suggestion was just to plan on following up with a milder polish to take care of any haze left from the heavier compound.
Sorry, I'm in a pre-caffeine ramble here . . . CliffsNotes: HC and EC will work with an orbital, but may not finish as clearly as they would with a rotary. Be prepared to follow with a light polish if micromarring remains.
Tort
(looking for a NoDoze with a Jolt Cola chaser)
Accumulator
Well-known member
smprince1 said:
I may *very* well have mis-remembered where the PC/rotary preference cutoff is, sorry if I caused any confusion.
And I'd like to say I appreciate when people say "I know people have used with D/A.." It heads off :argue and makes for a congenial thread. Heh heh, just because I used a EC-mix with the PC/4" orange on a '00 Chevy that doesn't mean somebody oughta try EC with a larger pad on a soft black finish.
People who haven't tried these H-T products really oughta give 'em a go. The regulars here know that I'm pretty set in my ways polish-wise, been using the same stuff forever. But the H-T EC was a real eye-opener and made me once again wonder why I quit using H-T stuff all those years ago. With my beloved PI-III stuff discontinued, I know what my new recommendations are gonna be
imported_smprince1
New member
Accumulator said:
I appreciate it also. We come to this forum to share experiences and techniques, learn from each other, give and take advice, etc. etc. I never understand why some people get argumentative and/or insist their experience/opinion is the only valid one. Isn't one of the main benefits from these types of forums is that we all bring a different perspective? I don't come here to argue, but to learn, share and discuss. :hifive:
imported_artikxscout
New member
Awesome thread guys, this is so helpful since i'm contemplating on whether or not to buy. I have a ssr 2.5 right now, but do you think heavy cut will be as agressive as it? I want to try soemthing out as SSR 2.5 leaves hazing on black bmw paint. I"m using a PC with 6.5" LC Orange Flat Pad.
Accumulator
Well-known member
artikxscout- I dunno if you're gonna get a final finish with an orange pad, and I'd be inclined to use 4" pads with aggressive products anyhow.
imported_Picus
New member
artikxscout said:
HC Leveler is as aggressive as 2.5; it leaves a much nicer finish. I do not think on black BMW paint you will be able to go from an orange to LSP, but you will be able to clean up any micromarring with a very light combo, like FPII/grey, SSR1/grey, etc.