• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

To polish or not to polish

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    To polish or not to polish

    I stopped at my local AutoZone and picked up a bottle of UC. I recall (and I could be wrong) the instructions on the bottle suggest applying wax after the UC. I've read other places where a polish step (using for example, Ultimate Polish?) is done between the UC and wax.

    What drives the decision to polish or not? I'm a newbie here so I'm trying to better understand. Is it simply a matter of producing more shine/depth? And if so, how much of a difference does adding the extra step make? I'm sure the answer to my second question is, "Well, it depends."

    Thanks.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: To polish or not to polish

    I found I could wax directly after using UC,(fantastic stuff) however I have read that sometimes UC can cause a slight haze, depending on the clearcoat hardness. Some vehicles have harder clearcoat than others. Have a look when you are finished with the UC, and if you are happy with the shine, then go ahead and wax. If you have a slight haze, then you will need to polish. In my case, I used Colorx after, which has a slight polish effect to it, and then Ultimate Wax over that for a pretty darn excellent shine. So, in closing, you may need or want to polish, or maybe not. It is all mostly in the eye of the beholder. Part of my decision not to polish was that i tried it, and didn't like it.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: To polish or not to polish

      If you have time use Ultimate polish.
      Ultimate compound will give you a waxable finish but if you use UP after UC it will even look better.
      I stared at my GM black paint after those two steps, it looked so good I was wishing I could leave it like that.
      I then applied Ultimate liquid wax and was even happier with the results.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: To polish or not to polish

        Originally posted by Blueline View Post
        I found I could wax directly after using UC,(fantastic stuff) however I have read that sometimes UC can cause a slight haze, depending on the clearcoat hardness. Some vehicles have harder clearcoat than others. Have a look when you are finished with the UC, and if you are happy with the shine, then go ahead and wax. If you have a slight haze, then you will need to polish. In my case, I used Colorx after, which has a slight polish effect to it, and then Ultimate Wax over that for a pretty darn excellent shine. So, in closing, you may need or want to polish, or maybe not. It is all mostly in the eye of the beholder. Part of my decision not to polish was that i tried it, and didn't like it.
        I have to agree here. If you are content with the look after UC then using UP is completely up to you. Nothing wrong with a little experimentation. For example apply UC, UP on the hood and then use your wax of choice. UP will bring out the gloss and refine the finish even more.

        Originally posted by Spazzz View Post
        If you have time use Ultimate polish.
        Ultimate compound will give you a waxable finish but if you use UP after UC it will even look better.
        I stared at my GM black paint after those two steps, it looked so good I was wishing I could leave it like that.
        I then applied Ultimate liquid wax and was even happier with the results.
        I agree with this as well. The ultimate trio is good stuff.
        99 Grand Prix
        02 Camaro SS

        Comment

        • #5
          It's been my experience that Ultimat Polish really intensifies the gloss. Where UC gives brilliant, sharp, clear reflectuons, Ultimate Polish will get that liquidy, deep gloss out of the finish.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: To polish or not to polish

            That's been my experience, too. I always polish. To me, the question is to compound or not compound
            Non-Garaged Daily Driver, DAMF System + M101, Carnauba Finish Enthusiast
            4-Step | Zen Detailing | Undercarriage | DAMF Upgrade |             First Correction | Gallery

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: To polish or not to polish

              Thanks to everyone. One question that is nagging is the UC, UP and ULW are OTC products and seem to be the product of choice in many cases. And it seems like these products will eat into the sales of the non-OTC products. I am wondering if this was intended and if Meg will offer these OTC products in larger containers.

              Comment

              • #8
                The short answer is yes, it's intended.

                The whole answer, could take a very lenghty post. Lol.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: To polish or not to polish

                  Originally posted by dbssoccer View Post
                  Thanks to everyone. One question that is nagging is the UC, UP and ULW are OTC products and seem to be the product of choice in many cases. And it seems like these products will eat into the sales of the non-OTC products. I am wondering if this was intended and if Meg will offer these OTC products in larger containers.
                  We don't expect UC and UP to eat into sales of M105, M205 and the like for the simple reason that the Mirror Glaze line is designed specifically for body shop use where fresh paint is being applied. As such there are certain ingredients that these products can not contain, but that can make use of variants like UC and UP more user friendly. So it's a trade off, but really aimed at two very different markets. Plus, there's the whole snobbery aspect of this - we see far too often people dismissing UC and UP simply because you can buy them at Walmart. What those poor, deluded folks fail to realize, of course, is that UC is a direct derivative of M105 so it uses the exact same abrasive set as M105. Used properly, it offers fantastic cutting ability and a great finish. But it doesn't fit in with some folks need to look like a pro, so they won't use it. Heck, there is even a well known YouTube contributor who professes a love of our M105/M205 but flat out called UC/UP "junk". Honestly, we doubt he's ever tried them. As the go to in our Saturday classes, against all kinds of defects on all kinds of cars, UC/UP have proven time after time to be pretty fantastic products.

                  As for future availability of UC/UP in larger containers, that's something the market would never support. The "average" guy on the street won't buy this sort of product by the gallon, and they outnumber enthusiasts such as MOL members by a huge margin.
                  Michael Stoops
                  Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

                  Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: To polish or not to polish

                    DBSSOCCER,

                    I agree with all these guys. And some might be happy with UC and wax, while others would want MORE. And this video might help you. In this video, you can see the end result after UC. The follow up video (part 2) shows the result of using UP after the UC. I can see how some would be totally okay with just using UC and a wax, especially given the amount of time that can potentially be spent on this!

                    Anyway, hope this helps






                    EDIT: oh, if you end up watching toward the end of the part 2 video, you can see the end result of the Ultimate Trio! (UC, UP, U-Liquid Wax)!

                    Comment

                    Previous template Next
                    Working...
                    X
                    gtag('config', 'UA-161993-8');