------------------------ COPIED FROM A SITE I FOUND -----------------------------------
Hi Folks,
I have not been on here much lately b/c i've been so busy detailing but thought i'd post up my experience using Meg's Ultimate Compound(UC) followed up with SwirlX using a Porter Cable 7424 with LC Orange and White pads for those of you are on the ropes about venturing out and getting a machine and polishes for your own vehicles. I feel from my experience with this combination of products and equipment beginners can do this and not feel the worry of damaging their paint.
First and foremost I typically use Meg's #105 and #205 on LC Orange and White pads respectively but have been reading some great things about UC followed up with SwirlX on Autopia.org/ so thought since I can go down to my local auto parts store and pick it up.....why not give it a try. UC is Meg's OTC version of #105 but in my opinion not as aggresive as #105 if compared side by side on paint....but again its OTC and $20.00 cheaper for those on a budget these days.
The car it was used on was a Black 06 Audi A3 that was for the most part taken care of but not washed and dried properly as you will see in the picture below when direct light is applied (camera flash and work lamps). The owner is a good friend of mine and was eager to give UC and SwirlX a try first to see what we got.....and then when needed move onto #205 and a finishing polish if we didn't get the results we were looking for with UC.
Passenger door clay barred and ready for correction. Swirl and Scratch City
After one pass of UC on a LC Orange Pad followed up with one pass with SwirlX on a LC White pad. No LSP applied yet.
Needless to say I was shocked at how well an OTC product from Meguiar's worked with just one pass. To give those of you who are new to detailing an idea of what a pass is in my terms, I do the following:
Once polish is spread onto surface using speed 4 I turn up the PC to speed 6 applying 10-12 pounds of pressure (use your bathroom scale to get an idea of the pressure needed) and begin to work the product in horizontally overlapping 50% of the area I just did. Once I have gone over it horizontally I then go vertically applying the same method overlapping my area by 50%. I repeat the above steps a total of six times (3 horizontally, 3 vertically) all in about a 3 - 5 minute span of time. This allowed UC to break down correctly and as it did I let up on the pressure I was applying to the surface.
Few more before and after shots after one pass of UC and SwirlX:
Before
After (apologize for the funky angle but if you see the passenger headlight below in the lower left hand corner you'll see its thse same side of the hood as in the before pic)
I hope you guys starting out in detailing found this useful and motivating to get out there and try doing corrections on your own vehicle using the tools and products above. Its a great start and through research and experience you can move on to better products and see even better results.
Thanks for reading
