XMT vs Optimum - Overall and for swirl removal...

thanks for the additional speed tip on the XMT, it smells great, I agree. The #3 seems to have decent cut, works fairly well even fighting the dusting.



price wise optimum is a better value, and some may find it easier to work with. I have both and optimum is easier for me, but will give XMT a further try with slower speeds
 
black, yes it can, although as i found out last night it's much more effective and faster via rotary. i went from yellow pad at 1500 rpms, down to white oc and 1200 rpm's and removed 95% of the marring out of my neighbors kia. i also used aw as primay lsp as asked about in another thread. it lives across the street from me so ill be able to watch its longevity. ill take pics of it today.
 
I was playing around a little today with XMT and OPT



the optimum compound (new formula) is like sandpaper compared to XMT #3. you HAVE to go to something else when using OC, XMT has much less cut more like OP.



you can crank up your DA with the optimum and have no worries, XMT you have to go slow and the cut is minimal.



XMT might by a good choice for finishing but for a quick user friendly swirl remover, light or heavier still have to give the nod to OPT. the poliseal is pretty awesome too, acts like opt polish with a sealant added. it cleared up the haze from my use of the OC on a couple panels.
 
matt good assesment. i know its hard to tell exactly how severe the marring is till you get into it, but xmt 3 followed by 1 is a great choice for most medium micromarring. i have been working on my wifes new car for three days now, mostly done with xmt. ive had to go over several small areas with oc and ohc though. via rotary theres not question, i dont even think youre spose to use xmt via rotary. but you can achieve brilliant results with the 3-1 process.
 
I had a couple of older cars to detail this weekend. No swirls - cause the owner never washes them! EVER!! First one was a 2005 Impala, last cleaned in January 06, red - eventually. I knew the last time it was cleaned, some guy had buffed it, with what I don't know, so I didn't want to get too agressive, just a good polish, so I tried XMT#1, via a rotary with white LC pad. Dusty and didn't do much, I ended up hitting a few bad spots with the orange pad and some Meg's #1 medium cut compound, then I went with XMT#3 on a orange pad via PC - worked OK. Second car was a 2001 Buick, after washing, claying and washing again - I used XMT#3 via PC and orange pad, cleaned up the paint, left a great shine - wife thought it was done when she saw it. It didn't remove the few scratches in the clear coat left buy their cat, but they weren't too bad and I figured they needed clear coat more than a show car. After they saw the finished results they were well pleased. I'm pleased with XMT#3 as a polish, cleans well and leaves the finish ready for the LSP (I used WG sealer ) but it doesn't have much bite, and XMT#1 is weak as piss and smells as bad.
 
JuneBug said:
XMT#3 as a polish, cleans well and leaves the finish ready for the LSP (I used WG sealer ) but it doesn't have much bite, and XMT#1 is weak as piss and smells as bad.
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I think the #1 is weak for the same reason you say here. I don't remember disliking the smell, maybe you got a bad batch. Or maybe i did.:nixweiss
 
Whatever the reason, XMT#3 smells like oranges, number 1 - well, smells like #1!! I got a great LSP ready finish with #3, I think another polish step is not needed.
 
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