Shelf Life of M205

[kev4bama]

I have some M205 I bought almost three years ago. It has stayed in the garage away from temperature extremes the entire time. Does the product lose any effectiveness over time or should it be ok. I have some light swirls that I believe the Dealers detailers inflicted on the front bumper under the headlights and I wanted to try the least aggressive first before jumping to the Ultimate Compound. I am always nervous to use products with a lot of cut because I am always terrified that I will go through the clear coat. I had a bad experience a few years ago with a car with a thin clear. I know the chances of doing this by hand wouldn't be great unless I rubbed in one small spot for a long time but I like to keep as much clear as possible. So my question is Should some M205 that is 3-4 years old still be effective?

[kev4bama]

Re: Shelf Life of M205

also would the consumer equivalent to M205 be the Ultimate Polish? If the 205 was too old I was going to try that or scratch x 2.0 any suggestions? I know that Scratch X would be somewhere in between the 205/Ultimate Polish and the Ultimate Compound cut wise.

[Marc08EX]

Re: Shelf Life of M205

Ultimate Polish is the consumer equivalent of M205.

But ScratchX will not have that much polishing oils as M205/UP. What are you trying to accomplish? Remove swirls or enhance the gloss?

Shake your M205 bottle well then pour to a foam applicator pad. What's the consistency like? M205 isn't very thick to begin with but so long as it's not watery then I think you're good to go. They say shelf life is between 3-5 years but I would check the consistency first before throwing it away.

[Murr1525]

Re: Shelf Life of M205

Yeah, as long as it is a consistent color, should be fine.

Wont go bad from age, just separating.

[Murr1525]

Re: Shelf Life of M205

Yeah, as long as it is a consistent color, should be fine.

Wont go bad from age, just separating.

[kev4bama]

Re: Shelf Life of M205

Yeah, as long as it is a consistent color, should be fine.

Wont go bad from age, just separating.

I tried the 205 I had although it does seem a bit watery especially on my foam applicator after I spread it. It wasn't doing the job anyway so I went ahead and used UC by hand. It seemed to do the trick for the most part. Looked better anyway. It always makes me nervous using high cutting products like that, but , by hand I don't think I have too much to worry about. I went over both sides of the bumper with 2-3 light coats of UC making sure to keep moving my applicator in uniform overlapping circular motions and kept it moving not staying in one place too long.