Selection of product between Ultimate Polish and Compound

B

baseball07

New member
Hi everyone, I'm looking for a suitable product that is in between Meguiars Ultimate Polish and Compound to use with my DA polisher. I have heard good things about UC and was going to use that over my whole car (was going to initially use D301), however I think that UC might be a little too aggressive. My paint is 7 years old (2006 BMW), and is in good shape in general. The car has been garaged the first 5 years of its life, then outside the rest. It has been through a couple dealer washes so there are swirls/marring that are noticeable, but in general my feeling is that I can get away with using something less aggressive, and touch up with UC in the areas that need it.

My initial thought was Scratch X 2.0, but is that recommended for a DA? Any would a polish such as UP need to be applied over Scratch x before the wax? I came across this video and it looks like Scratch X might be what I am looking for.

Meguiars Dual Action Polisher Before And After Photo 13
 
UC is not very aggressive, 1st try the UP with a white pad. If you need more cut use UC with a white pad and go from there.

Pad cuts and liquid also determines level of cut.
 

I would try your UP first and work up to your most aggressive pad. If its not enough switch to UC and work up to your most agressive pad needed. UC & UP are made to be a 2 step combo.

I thought the same thing about my car when I first started detailing. It only would need a real light polish.... Wrong. I soon found M105 / UC to be my friend. And it made quick work of my swirls and let me move on to polishing.

 
Thank you for the tip. I would like to work with OTC products, since I am only a weekend detailer. UP and UC seem to be perfect for this. Of course I would be claying before. So is scratch x generally reserved for those detailing by hand?
 

You can use scratchX and swirlX on a polisher as well. But most use them by hand. Obviously they are more potent when using a polisher.


I don't know if you have it yet or not. But this chart can help to show you average polish & compound ratings and aggressiveness. Obviously it will also depend on pad and technique as to how agressive they are.

Link: http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autopia/polish-chart.pdf

 
Thank you, yes I have seen that chart. From that is where my selection of scratch x came from (in between UC and UP). I think I am going to buy UP, UC and either scratch x 2.0 or swirl x and I should be all set. Does anyone have any recommendations of swirl x or scratch x 2.0 with use with a DA? Should I choose to use either of them, how do these finish off, should I be following up with UP after them?

Along these lines, is there a recommended one step product that finishes ready for wax (could be non-meguiars)?
 
TroyScherer said:

You can use scratchX and swirlX on a polisher as well. But most use them by hand. Obviously they are more potent when using a polisher.


I don't know if you have it yet or not. But this chart can help to show you average polish & compound ratings and aggressiveness. Obviously it will also depend on pad and technique as to how agressive they are.

Link: http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autopia/polish-chart.pdf
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, but someone really needs to update the chart, especially the Meg's and Menzerna line.
 
baseball07 said:
Thank you, yes I have seen that chart. From that is where my selection of scratch x came from (in between UC and UP). I think I am going to buy UP, UC and either scratch x 2.0 or swirl x and I should be all set. Does anyone have any recommendations of swirl x or scratch x 2.0 with use with a DA? Should I choose to use either of them, how do these finish off, should I be following up with UP after them?

Along these lines, is there a recommended one step product that finishes ready for wax (could be non-meguiars)?
Click to expand...

SwirlX and ScratchX 2.0 both will work well with a DA polisher. I would probably err towards ScratchX 2.0.
 
As stated above,
UC with a white pad, if more aggressive is needed UC with an orange pad.
If more aggressive is needed I'd then try D300 with a Megs Microfiber disc.
You can go up from there just check to see if these products Git-R' Done.

Be sure you "clean" the paint after polishing with an IPA or mineral spirits.
This insures that no polishing oils or fillers are left behind from the polish.

Follow up the UC with the UP/White to add clarity & gloss enhancement.
 
Got it. I am aware that the combination of pad/technique/ can exatend the dynamic range of the aggressiveness of the product, however I wasn't sure if it could bridge the gap all the way between UP and UC. I will try as suggested. As far as the IPA wipe, would wiping with a microfiber towel be acceptable? Or are there any recomended pads to wipe with?
 
I just used UC this past weekend with a orange pad to remove some nasty scratches/paint transfer on the bumper of my work car. It cleaned everything up nicely. I was pretty impressed.
 
baseball07 said:
...As far as the IPA wipe, would wiping with a microfiber towel be acceptable? Or are there any recommended pads to wipe with?
Click to expand...

With a spray mist bottle mix isopropyl alcohol and water.
Mist this mixture on the paint and clean it off with quality microfiber towels.
 
tropicsteve said:
todd's polish comparison chart is a handy thing to keep around. this should help:
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...autopia-car-care-polish-comparison-chart.html

p.s. looks like troy beat me to the chart post. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link to the chart, as a beginner I've been saving all the charts that I come across and will be printing,laminating, and hanging them up in the garage for reference.

Are there any charts specifically for pads only? Kind of like the description on the ACC page. I was trying to create a single page with all the different Lake County pads and colors all together flat, hydro, ccs as well as where wool and mf pads compare in there.

Edit: I found something similar to what I was looking
lcmegspadchart1200.jpg
 
I detailed my whole car for the first time, clayed then UC and UP, sealed with NXT and a harbor freight DA (buff and shine 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads, orange for UC and green for UP) as suggested and discussed above, and it looks really great. A few general questions I have on technique, they might just improve as I do more cars:

1. I was conservative with the amount of product I used, however I was still getting splashing all over the car when the DA went over a rounded surface. Is this unavoidable to some degree?

2. I was having a hard time controlling the machine when doing vertical surfaces, such as the doors. There were times when the DA would "catch" and almost fall out of my hands. I obviously then made sure to keep a very firm grip, but it was very hard to get an even application as compared to a completly flat surface as the hood.

3. While UP and NXT look awesome, I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on how it compares to Griots One Step Sealant (polish and seal). Reducing from 3 steps to 2 would save lots of energy, just wondering if the difference is apparent.
 
"I'm a weekend detailer so I only want OTC products"

This is really cutting yourself short...so much is opened up to you when you ditch this mentality. Often free shipping offers occur here so there is no need to think this way....
 
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