Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

[swamper8]

Going to detail my car this weekend. Have alot of product from when I did my last car. The pads/compounds I used before are listed below, I'd appreciate feedback on if this is a good progression or if I should modify what I"m doing:
2004 Audi Allroad - Black
Has mild to moderate swirls/scratches. Nothing too major

My plan is:
Wash and clay
Burgundy pad w/M105
Yellow pad w/M105
Yellow pad w/M205
Black or Tan pad to apply/remove wax.

All with Meg's DA polisher. I do have a rotary but I cut some heavy swirls the last time I used it (whoopsie)



On a scale of 1 - 10 I'm looking for about 8-9 final result. Not perfection, as I realize I'd be skipping some steps if I were going for perfection.

[Murr1525]

Re: Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

I'd try without the burgandy pad first.

[swamper8]

Re: Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

So assuming yellow/M105 does not get rid of enough scratches, should I go to burg/M105 or burg/M205? I don't know if it makes sense to use M205 on a burg. pad.

[FX4619]

So assuming yellow/M105 does not get rid of enough scratches, should I go to burg/M105 or burg/M205? I don't know if it makes sense to use M205 on a burg. pad.

M205 is a pure polish so it won't remove any defects. If you don't see results with M105/yellow pad then I'd look into getting the DA MF correction system. I'd stay away from the burgundy pad.

[swamper8]

Re: Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

Burgundy is too aggressive?

[Murr1525]

Re: Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

It can be... you would really want to make sure you used #105 with the yellow pad properly before jumping up to the red pad. Can cause more swirls than it fixes at times.

[wifpd4]

Re: Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

Swamper,

I might suggest, as Murr has, don't start out with a burgundy pad and M105. Meguiar's usually doesn't recommend using a burgundy pad with a dual action buffer. There are two practices they do recommend: 1) doing a test spot and 2) use the least aggressive method.

With the products and pads you have, a black pad and M205 would be least aggressive. As FX4619 has indicated, M205 is a polish. I believe it has limited cleaning abilities, although important abilities in many cases. Pick a small 2' X 2' area as a test spot and try M205 and a yellow pad. If the swirls are mild to moderate, as you say, and the clear coat is forgiving perhaps this combination will help out. Try a moderate to heavy pressure and a slow arm speed and the buffer set at 5. If that doesn't cut it, then move up to M105 and a yellow pad. Depending how well your clear coat cooperates you may still need to remove any possible micr-marring with M205 that the M105 leaves behind. A test spot is best before proceeding to the entire car. Perhaps this car responds differently than your previous car and using a sledge hammer is not needed when a tinker's hammer will do. If you wanted to spend just a little money, Ultimate Compound has been shown to handle amazing amounts of swirls in the Saturday classes at the Meguiar's offices and often without the dusting M105 sometimes can create.

Best of luck and keep us posted with some photographs.

[FX4619]

Re: Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

M205 is a pure polish so it won't remove any defects. If you don't see results with M105/yellow pad then I'd look into getting the DA MF correction system. I'd stay away from the burgundy pad.

S**t, don't listen to me. M205 is a polish that has some abrasives. I was thinking of show car glaze #7, thats a pure polish. I've heard that the 105/205 combo has god results. I would try ultimate compound before 105 though.

[wifpd4]

Re: Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

...perhaps not god results, but oh golly results

[bmrfan]

Re: Opinions on Pad and Compound Progression

I agree with the idea of skipping the burgundy cutting pad - I don't find them as forgiving as the yellow polishing pads.

I also agree with using Ultimate Compound - UC can remove a surprising amount of defects and it is MUCH easier to use than 105 (UC has a much longer working time and dusts significantly less than 105 - it's also much cheaper than 105)