How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

[billoftt]

I know that Ulitmate Polish is mildly abrasive, but how often can I use it before I run the risk of cutting away too much clear coat? Please keep in mind that I am the type of person that will keep a vehicle for longer than a decade.

[Murr1525]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

Assuming you are applying with a foam pad by hand, or a mild pad on A DA, you could use it monthly with no issues.

But since your wax should last longer than that, esp with UQW after in between washes, you have even more safety there...

[billoftt]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

Thank you. I have a Porter Cable and I have the Meg's soft buff yellow polishing pads and the black finishing pads.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

Ultimate Polish is very gentle so routine use with a soft pad, even over a period of several years of vehicle ownership, is not going to be an issue at all.

[billoftt]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

Good, must make shiny.

I have a metallic black minivan and when I use Gold Class wax, the paint looks like staring into a field of stars. On a side note, how much longer does Ultimate wax last compared to Gold Class plus? I need some longevity.

[Murr1525]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

I put on UW around Thanksgiving, and I have done 3-4 car washes since with UQW while drying. Surface still feels good, looks good, and beads water.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

Ultimate Wax, being a synthetic, will last quite a bit longer than Gold Class. Hard to give a definite time frame but under identical conditions you may see double the longevity out of UW over GC, maybe even a bit more.

[WeekendGlaze]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

If you are that meticulous about your paint looking good, ditch the cheap wax and go with a professional grade such as BlackFire, Swissvax, Dodo Juice etc. Also, you shouldnt need to use ultimate compound very often if you take care of your paint. Use a good polishing compound when needed and make sure when you rewax you use a good cleaner before applying so it sticks. Polishes and compounds leave behind a light oil that you dont notice and will cause the wax not to bond with the paint and wash off. I'm using blackfire on my Audi and it is 10 times better than anything you will find at your local walmart or auto store. It is pricey, but keep in mind when using a good wax, a little goes a long way so it will last a good while. Good luck.

[Shawn T.]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

I didn't know Meguiars wasn't "professional grade".............

And he was referring to Ultimate Polish, the designed follow-up to Ultimate Compound.

Also, the oils left behind by certain products are not always bad. For some products like Opti-Coat, the oils will interfere with binding whereas with Ultimate Wax, they may actually enhance bonding.

[addydaddy]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

I find this to be an interesting question. Like most here I enjoy the entire process and not afraid of doing a full detail when needed, but what exactly does that mean? Does it mean 1x per quarter or every 6 mos depending on how long the LSP lasts? Should I wait until the sealant/wax is completely gone before re-applying? Or is some type of regular "schedule" a better way to proceed? I'm not "looking" for work (since I actually enjoying driving the car more then detailing it) but I want the car to be right and not afraid of putting in the effort. In terms how of often is it safe to use UC or any other product, my take on that would be to evaluate the condition of the paint first and use the least aggressive product to make the correction. Keep in mind that might mean no correction is necessary whatsoever because since the last full detail the paint surface still looks great. Not sure I would use UC or any other product for that matter on any basis without doing a test spot or evaluating the surface.

If we can assume for a moment the paint looks good and doesn't need any type of serious correction, what product(s) would you use to prep the surface for the sealant/wax application? (using a DA) Would you simply clay the surface and apply the LSP or is there a fine grade finishing polish that would be best applied first and then the LSP?

[RPPM]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

Here is my routine...About every 3 months, I will clay, and use ColorX followed up by Ultimate wax (I prefer the paste, but will use liquid as well). I alternate UQD and UQW after each weekly wash. I do this 3 times a year. If I am feeling bored, or just want to play around, I will throw a quick coat of GCCP, or #26, or #16 on the car between sessions, but don't always do that. It is mostly just for me to blow off some steam, not really the car needing it. The 4th detail of the year is Clay, some spot use of UC (just where needed as the cars were compounded/polished out about 18 months ago) and using either SwirlX, or UP followed by two layers of UW Paste.

The Clay/ColorX/UW Paste is so quick, I can do my two cars in 6 hours. It gives me 85-90% of what the full compound/polish/wax does for looks. With UQD and UQW alternated after weekly washes, the car basically looks like it was just detailed each week. Simple, quick and above all, easy.

I do all this with my G110V2 and soft buff 2.0 pads. Polishing pad for the ColorX, finishing pad for the UW.

[LS1BERLINA]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

RPPM, may I ask how much correction do you get with the colorx as opposed to the UP? My last detail was december, and i would like to do a quick touchup so your process of clay/colorx and then LSP sounds perfect for me. Is the colorx strong enough to pull out very mild (superficial) water spots and stains on the PC while still finishing nicely?

[Murr1525]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

ColorX certainly has a chance to fix mild defects with a machine.

[RPPM]

Re: How Often Can I Use Ultimate Polish?

I find ColorX leaves excellent clarity, and will certainly take out/fill very light scratches. It will absolutely pull any dirt out of the paint. If you are interested in just looks, I find ColorX followed by GCCP a gorgeous combination. I try to work the ColorX in, using speed 4, fairly slow arm speed with two passes. One thing i really like about ColorX vs. other AIO's is it is pretty much impossible to get it to flash, so wipe off is a breeze.