I've been using SSR2.5 and FP for the last several days, and I have been quite happy with the results. In a few cases, I have managed to bypass using the FP by working 2.5 down to nothing with a polish and then finish pad. In fact, 2.5 has replaced a bit of the 3m stuff that I have been using religeously for some time.
This is part of a reveiw I did for FP last weekend. With that said, I plan to use up what's left and give the ssr1 a try:
I've used this with both cutting and polishing pads, and have found that it works eqaully well with either. On the occassions I have used it with the cut pad, I followed up with the polish pad, and worked the clear liquid residue until almost dry. Perhaps the most impressive thing I see with the FP, is that there is almost no dusting at all, even when i was on the verge of having the product dry out on me. Once for kicks and gigles, I tried a finish pad lightly spritzed with water, and kept working what was left of the polish residue. When I finished, the result was an even wetter and cleaner look than when I would just use the polish pad, and wipe off the remaining residue. Unfortunately wiping that residue (whether after cut, polish, or finish pad) is where I have my problem. It took me a bit of time to remove the residue, didn't matter if i was using a dry towel, alcohol water mix, or just a damp cloth. I'm thinking maybe it's just me, but i am not sure (still new to the PC and all these products). Even when I've applied FP lightly by hand, it still was a problem to remove what was left. I've resorted now to either using prepsol or washing down the panel with a car shampoo that has no "special" ingredients. The upside however is that once the residue is removed, the surface is always glossier, and has a squeaky clean feel to it. In fact If I didn't have to top it with a wax, sealer, glaze, or precleaner, I would just assume leave it be. The finish results are that nice on decent paint surfaces, and very nice on better prepared paint surfaces.