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I just bought a Flex XC3401 and made my first attempt at using it with the M105/M205 combo.
Before beginning I think I read just about every post about first time DA polishing and about M105/205.
I had a problem, with M105, and stumbled upon a solution that I did not find in any post so I thought I’d share my experience. (Please note: I am not an expert. I am new to using power tools. Never used a DA before, never used a rotary, just got the flex)
My set up:
Flex XC3401 polisher
Lake Country 6.5” pads
White pad with M105
Black pad with M205
Micro fiber towels
I found M205 to be very easy to use. Prime the pad as described by Kevin Brown, fire up the Flex and go to town. Very user friendly and worked just as I expected.
The M105 was a very different experience. (I have the new formula approved for DA)
I found M105 very frustrating. I primed the pads as described by Kevin Brown. I tried high speed, slow speed and everything in between but always had the same problem. I tried varying the amount of product. I tried changing to an orange, white, and black pad but again had trouble.
The problem:
Within seconds of beginning to polish, M105 the product would get very sticky and “looked” to be drying out. I think this is what some posts have referred to as “flashing”.
As this occurred, I stopped and tried to wipe off the M105 only to find that wipe off was a real challenge, it was very difficult to remove. With such a short time polishing, it was also not doing anything in terms of paint correction or removing swirls. It was very frustrating. I was getting nowhere and began to wonder why so many love this product. Moreover, it was puzzling since the pad was still very moist and not dry.
My solution:
Rather than give up, I tried a test on our old van where I figured I could do no real damage to the paint. When this “sticky/dry stage” appeared I simply continued to polish. Within a few more seconds, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sticky stage quickly passes and the polish then begins to work as I expected. I does dust a little at this point but nothing that I considered a real problem. I found that once you are through the “sticky stage” M105 begins to act more like M205. I could work it for as long as I wanted and the wipe off went from a real chore to very easy.
I found the best results at higher speeds. (5 or 6 on the flex)
It also began to produce the fabulous results many have been raving about.
This worked for me and I can now agree that the M105/205 combo is terrific.
Before beginning I think I read just about every post about first time DA polishing and about M105/205.
I had a problem, with M105, and stumbled upon a solution that I did not find in any post so I thought I’d share my experience. (Please note: I am not an expert. I am new to using power tools. Never used a DA before, never used a rotary, just got the flex)
My set up:
Flex XC3401 polisher
Lake Country 6.5” pads
White pad with M105
Black pad with M205
Micro fiber towels
I found M205 to be very easy to use. Prime the pad as described by Kevin Brown, fire up the Flex and go to town. Very user friendly and worked just as I expected.
The M105 was a very different experience. (I have the new formula approved for DA)
I found M105 very frustrating. I primed the pads as described by Kevin Brown. I tried high speed, slow speed and everything in between but always had the same problem. I tried varying the amount of product. I tried changing to an orange, white, and black pad but again had trouble.
The problem:
Within seconds of beginning to polish, M105 the product would get very sticky and “looked” to be drying out. I think this is what some posts have referred to as “flashing”.
As this occurred, I stopped and tried to wipe off the M105 only to find that wipe off was a real challenge, it was very difficult to remove. With such a short time polishing, it was also not doing anything in terms of paint correction or removing swirls. It was very frustrating. I was getting nowhere and began to wonder why so many love this product. Moreover, it was puzzling since the pad was still very moist and not dry.
My solution:
Rather than give up, I tried a test on our old van where I figured I could do no real damage to the paint. When this “sticky/dry stage” appeared I simply continued to polish. Within a few more seconds, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sticky stage quickly passes and the polish then begins to work as I expected. I does dust a little at this point but nothing that I considered a real problem. I found that once you are through the “sticky stage” M105 begins to act more like M205. I could work it for as long as I wanted and the wipe off went from a real chore to very easy.
I found the best results at higher speeds. (5 or 6 on the flex)
It also began to produce the fabulous results many have been raving about.
This worked for me and I can now agree that the M105/205 combo is terrific.
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