Polish Step - Using Ult Polish after Ult Compound - Cleaner overkill?

[PenguinIce]

So saw this mentioned in another thread plus others...

4. Polish - This is optional, but if the paint single stage, you might want to do a pure polishing step, like Deep Crystal Polish. OR at least follow the Ult. Compound with Ult. Polish.

Have a question on this.

If you decide to use Ult Compound in your cleaning step, why would you want to use a polish that also includes cleaners? If I already cleaned the car with Ult Compound wouldn't I just be "wasting" the cleaners that is inside of the Ult Polish? So instead it'd be actually more effective to use a pure polish instead?

My understanding is Ult Compound is much more aggressive than the cleaning product inside Ult Polish. So by the time you apply the Ult Polish, the car is already pretty "clean" from the Ult Compound. Since Ult Polish is less agressive it won't clean out anything that wouldn't be cleaned out by the Ult Compound before. Or maybe it's more like when you're sanding down wood where you go aggressive and then "refine" with a finer grain to even things out. Would one why to think about it is the cleaners in the Ult Polish will actually smooth out any coarseness caused by Ult Compound?

I do understand that the polish formula in Ult Polish is more advance than the pure polish Crystal Polish, so maybe that in itself is a compelling reason even if the cleaners in the Ult Polish is overkill when following Ult Compound correction.

TIA!

[Murr1525]

Re: Polish Step - Using Ult Polish after Ult Compound - Cleaner overkill?

Well, few things going on:

1. As far as removing dirt, yes, it should all be gone after the UC. However, UC is an abrasive product. So sort of like sandpaper, you would move to move products as you go. Some cars may come out perfect after the UC, some may need a milder cleaner to really refine the surface. Coarseness isnt really the right word for it, more like marring, or hazing. So if it were there, you would go with the milder cleaners to remove it.

2. That comment specifically is for single stage paints, where getting polishing oils into the surface is a good thing, esp on older paint. If it were BC/CC, the Ult. Compound and wax have enough oils for the time being, then Ult. Polish in the future will help out. But SS can always use polishing oils, getting them on the paint in some way is a good thing.

3. Some people may buy Ult. Compound and Ult. Polish, and not want to buy a third product, esp if going to use Ult. Polish regularly in the future.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Polish Step - Using Ult Polish after Ult Compound - Cleaner overkill?

Just to add to what Murr suggested, you would be using the Ultimate Polish after Ultimate Compound not to take advantage of its cleaning properties, but rather its REFINING properties (ie it will use less aggressive cutting agents than UC).

Murr also pointed out the fact that some paints may not need a second step after UC, but some will. Inspect the paint in various lighting after UC and then decide what - if anything - is needed before applying your wax or sealtn of choice.

[imz4n]

Re: Polish Step - Using Ult Polish after Ult Compound - Cleaner overkill?

As noted above, If taking the time to remove scratches, remove the scratches the product puts on the surface to remove the original scratches. Depending on the condition of the surface, do a test area and see if you get the results you are looking for and then define the process required to achieve it. Ultimate Polish has a cutting property as well. You may not need to use both products.