When to use #105 & when to use #205??

[JHK]

I just bought some #205 and am now wondering if it is agressive enough to remove swirls and car wash scratches. By the same token I don't want to be more agressive on the paint then necessary. Is there a general rule of thumb on when to use #105 and when to use #205?? I am using a DA Merguiar's Buffer and will put down some #7 before waxing.
I've been asking a lot of questions lately and I appreciate everyone's help.

[JHK]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

I just read another thread that talks of using Ultimate Compound in place of #105. Anyone have any thoughts on this?? In other words; use Ultimate Compound; #205; #7 Glaze; NXT2.0. Yes? No?

[Emily]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

I am by no means an expert, but personally I love using M105 compared to Ultimate Compund. It sorta depends on your own preference

[Bill Davidson]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

If I have to work 2X2' section more than 4 times (4-6section passes per section) to get the level of correction that I desire, I move up in aggressiveness. There is no rule of thumb, but this works for me.

One thing to consider is your technique. Prior to reaching for a more aggressive product, make sure you are using proper techniques. This applies to working by hand, Dual Action Polisher or rotary.

May I ask a question JHK? Have you put a mark on your backing plate to monitor speed and pressure? Your pad should be rotating about 1 time per second if you applying the appropriate pressure. Placing a mark on the backing plate is crucial for proper technique when starting out with a DA Polisher.

These videos are excellent
video 1 (no action but excellent info)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUHRnHsSXZU&feature=channel

video 2 (DA in action)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9objUFdpsG4

[Murr1525]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

UC has been reported to be a little more DA friendly than #105, couldn't tell you myself. UC is also a little milder.

Generally, you would pick a spot where the marks are bad, and do a small area with the #205, and see if it fixes it. If not, then try the #105 or UC. Use what works on the rest of the car. You may or may not need to follow up the UC/#105 with something milder, all depends on the paint and application.

[Ravi_1992]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

UC has been reported to be a little more DA friendly than #105, couldn't tell you myself. UC is also a little milder.

Generally, you would pick a spot where the marks are bad, and do a small area with the #205, and see if it fixes it. If not, then try the #105 or UC. Use what works on the rest of the car. You may or may not need to follow up the UC/#105 with something milder, all depends on the paint and application.

Well said! , there's a new DA improved version of M105

[Murr1525]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

Well said! , there's a new DA improved version of M105

According to the Mikes, UC is still a little better than the improved #105 for DA friendliness. But techniques vary.

[JHK]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

If I have to work 2X2' section more than 4 times (4-6section passes per section) to get the level of correction that I desire, I move up in aggressiveness. There is no rule of thumb, but this works for me.

One thing to consider is your technique. Prior to reaching for a more aggressive product, make sure you are using proper techniques. This applies to working by hand, Dual Action Polisher or rotary.

May I ask a question JHK? Have you put a mark on your backing plate to monitor speed and pressure? Your pad should be rotating about 1 time per second if you applying the appropriate pressure. Placing a mark on the backing plate is crucial for proper technique when starting out with a DA Polisher.

These videos are excellent
video 1 (no action but excellent info)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUHRnHsSXZU&feature=channel

video 2 (DA in action)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9objUFdpsG4

Bill, Thanks for some good advice. I did put a black mark on the backing plate, and it has been a tremendous help in applying too much or too little pressure.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

Keep in mind what M105 and M205 were designed for:

M105 was developed to be a premium, aggressive compound used to remove 1500 grit sanding marks with a wool pad on a rotary buffer. The unique abrasives give it a lot of cutting power but also leave a remarkably nice finish, especially considering the level of cut provided by the product. It was never intended to be a D/A use product and as such it can dust quite badly when used on a D/A. Still, it became so popular for this use that we slightly altered the formulation to make it a bit more D/A friendly. We could only go so far, however, or we would seriously compromise it's effectiveness as a sanding mark compound. We were not about to do that. As it stands, M105 is the most aggressive liquid we make.

M205 was developed as a follow up to M105. It is a very mild finishing polish that, again, was designed for rotary use but now with a foam pad to remove any light holograms or other marring potentially left behind by the M105/wool process. This is a much more forgiving product when used on a D/A - heck, it will stay wet for a crazy long time, allowing you to really finesse a finish. But it really is quite mild.

Ultimate Compound is derived from M105 and is quite closely related to it. As a consumer product it has to be more user friendly than M105, especially on a D/A. And it is. Much more user friendly, in fact. Sure, it doesn't cut quite to the level of M105, but in all honesty most cases of towel marks, cobwebs, etc don't need anywhere near the power of M105. So many people used to successfully remove those types of defects with M80 and M83 so UC should be more than sufficient - it is a good deal more aggressive than either of those.

Our Saturday Classes used to be taught using M80/M83 with the D/A and it was extremely rare that we couldn't remove defects from the demo car with that combination. Today we use UC instead, and still have yet to see it fail during a class. That includes removing the year old bird dropping etch from the hood of a C6 Corvette last weekend. It really is great, great stuff.

So when do you use which product? Well, we've outlined the basics, but in practical use UC is proving to be the most commonly reached for (ie purchased at retail) of the three consumer paint cleaners (UC, SwirlX, ScratchX 2.0) and for the vast majority of cases it's an excellent starting point. If you use it with a W8207 yellow polishing pad on speed 5 with your D/A you should be able to remove a huge range of pretty nasty defects.

M205 then becomes a fantastic follow up to refine the finish and really enhance the clarity and depth, and make metallic really pop. If you have a car with very soft or delicate paint it's probably all you'll need to correct defects and leave the paint looking spectacular in one step. For more robust paints you'll likely need to start with UC. But do a test spot first - if M205 and your paint work well enough together to remove defects in a couple of passes, then why on earth would you go any more aggressive than that?

[JHK]

Re: When to use #105 & when to use #205??

Michael,
Again as usual, very good advice. Thanks to all.
Jim