Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

[octavian2013]

Hey folks;
Sorry that this is my first thread (besides the intro), but I did some work on my car today before I did the proper research. Live and learn. I think/hope I am OK but I wanted to get opinions of the experts here on this forum. Here is the situation:

Went to a local store for Meguiars Ultimate Paste wax (which was recommended and I saw some good reviews), and I was thinking of something to help get rid of brake dust rust off my white 2013 Elantra GT. I saw the Meguiars Ultimate Compound, read the instructions, and saw that it might do the job.

Did not think more of it afterwards until I got home and some neurons started firing. Then I found some horror stories on here of folks doing something similar to what I did...

Here is what I did, vs what I now read I should have done:

1. Cleaned and dried my car using a coin-operated car wash.

2. I used the Ultimate Compound, with the following technique (which after seeing a few videos, I know was wrong):

• I did a whole panel all at once (ie. entire hood, entire door, etc). (vs the proper technique of a section of a panel at a time)
• Applied to the panel, and some of it did dry on by the time I got it off. (vs the proper technique of not letting it dry)
• Applied with a terry-cloth covered sponge, but I did use finger pressure at times (vs the proper technique of even pressure over the whole hand)
• Applied in a shade, but a very hot day (33c outside)
• used circular motion
• for the brake dust rust spots, I rubbed pretty hard in that one spot. (vs the proper technique of even pressure all over the area).
• did make sure that all the UC was off before proceeding to the next step. Used a microfibre towel.
• I did not use a clay bar or anything other than the UC to prep the wax(vs the proper technique of starting with the lowest abrasion product like a clay bar, etc).

3. I then used Ultimate Paste Wax (I did not use a detailer, polish, etc....straight from the Ultimate Compound to Ultimate Wax)

• applied to entire car using circular motion
• kept it off the black plastic, rubber, etc. Just used on paint, and I removed it as soon as I touched a porous surface.
• used two passes of wax, and let dry
• applied in the shade, but very warm outside
• Buffed out the wax using the provided microfibre towel. After I thought I got it all out the first time, I did the entore car again (buffed) with a fresh microfibre towel.

I understand that I did not do this properly, and have read a bunch of threads here and I think I could do a much better job the next time. So now I am looking for some 'what to do next' advice.

I cannot see any clear-coat damage or any abrasions on the car (which I did the above work on about 6 hours ago). In fact, I was quite pleased with myself until I decided to research the Ultimate Compound after I did my entire car with it improperly. I have attached pictures of the areas of the car where I know I rubbed too hard.

My two questions I have after providing the above information is:

1. Should I be able to tell by now if I had damaged the paint/clear coat? Its a white car, and based on the other Ultimate Compound threads I have seen the damage itself appears to be white too. I have attached pics of where the damage might be, if I have done any at all.

2. What can I do to 'undo' any damage that might have been done? I am taking a 3-week road trip in three days so any additional work that takes longer than an hour might have to wait until late August. I do have some time to put a 'quick liquid' synthetic wax I have purchased from a competitor (that I have used before) if that might add more protection.

Thanks for any help and advice on what I should do next (if needed). I made the pictures large for zooming in, so apologies if I need to make them smaller (but figured a larger pic might be more useful)

[Murr1525]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

1. Cleaned and dried my car using a coin-operated car wash.

Well, hopefully didn't use the brush...

2. I used the Ultimate Compound, with the following technique (which after seeing a few videos, I know was wrong):

• Applied to the panel, and some of it did dry on by the time I got it off. (vs the proper technique of not letting it dry)
• Applied with a terry-cloth covered sponge, but I did use finger pressure at times (vs the proper technique of even pressure over the whole hand)
• I did not use a clay bar or anything other than the UC to prep the wax(vs the proper technique of starting with the lowest abrasion product like a clay bar, etc).

Drying isn't a big deal, just a little harder to remove.

I'd be more worried about the terry cloth... really want a smooth foam applicator, or at least MF applicator.

Clay and UC do different things, clay isn't the milder version of UC.

3. I then used Ultimate Paste Wax (I did not use a detailer, polish, etc....straight from the Ultimate Compound to Ultimate Wax)

• used two passes of wax, and let dry
• Buffed out the wax using the provided microfibre towel. After I thought I got it all out the first time, I did the entore car again (buffed) with a fresh microfibre towel.

Polish is optional anyway.

2 coats of wax means apply one, remove, let sit a bit, apply another coat, and remove.

1. Should I be able to tell by now if I had damaged the paint/clear coat? Its a white car, and based on the other Ultimate Compound threads I have seen the damage itself appears to be white too. I have attached pics of where the damage might be, if I have done any at all.

Ehh, don't see anything much.

2. What can I do to 'undo' any damage that might have been done? I am taking a 3-week road trip in three days so any additional work that takes longer than an hour might have to wait until late August. I do have some time to put a 'quick liquid' synthetic wax I have purchased from a competitor (that I have used before) if that might add more protection.

Nothing too bad. Can always give a wash and spray wax before you leave if you want, but no big deal.

[octavian2013]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

Thanks.

No I never use the brush.

This is something like I used (it was made by another car detailing manuf). It was a foam sponge covered in a very fine terry cloth, and round:

The reason I chose the terry applicator was because the back of the UC bottle called for a 100% terry towel, but of course, I did not check to see if the terry foam applicators I used were 100%. Since its a competitor product, I won't give a direct link but here is a description of the product I used from the retailer's website:
"

• Premium quality terry cloth wax applicators - ideal for applying wax, protectant and polishes
• Safe for all finishes
• Washable and reusable
• 4" (10 cm) diameter"

[Murr1525]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

Hmm... not sure... the bottle might say 100% terry, but not particularly the best choice...

[Show 'N' Shine Car Detailing]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

Wow you REALLY screwed up!!

























Just kidding. Live and learn like you said. I've been doing detailing for years and have learned better and "proper" techniques this year alone. So you never stop learning. This forum has some of the greatest people and help you'll see.

If you ever notice something hard to remove like the UC, you can spray a little quick detailer to help remove it. And like Murr said use a MF applicator or foam. Not terry cloth. Microfiber mitts are great to use for washing the car. If using it at a car wash bay, always do top panel, rinse, followed by working your way down with the sprayer and since you wouldn't have a 2 or 3 bucket method, rinse out your mitt with the wand to flush out the dirt you picked up from each panel.

Clay will also help with removing those surface contaminants first to help with the ease of UC and UP or any compound and polish go on and remove with ease.

No don't let the UC dry and like you found out, do a panel at a time, usually a 2x2 or 2x3 section, wipe off with a nice MF towel like the Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel. They are fantastic for removing each of those. I love mine.

Anywho, I'm not as advance as some of the detailers on here, but I know enough (and like I said still always learning myself).

NEVER feel embarrassed to ask anything. Not only do the members offer their help and suggestions, but Mr. Stoops chimes in now and again and is very helpful as well.

[Show 'N' Shine Car Detailing]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

The reason I chose the terry applicator was because the back of the UC bottle called for a 100% terry towel,

So you read that about the terry cloth and you stopped there. Now if only you had finished reading you wouldn't be starting a thread about doing it wrong, lol. Funny <--- just supposed to be funny

[octavian2013]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

Haha I know, I know. The worst thing is that I typically research this stuff to death first, but decided the last second to get contaminants off and glanced at the bottle.

Sounds like no real harm was done by the looks....if something weird starts showing up on my paint over the coming weeks ill be sure to search here first, and ask questions. Those stickys are there for a reason....

[BillE]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

Working by hand can be (it is) a bear at times. Others have made good comments so I'll just say, your car looks pretty GOOD!

Bill

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

We've got some news for you, and it's all good.

1. The car looks great in these pictures, even if you did use improper technique.
2. If you had done any damage you would know right away - it doesn't show up later\
3. We see no damage at all from the pix you've posted
4. You've learned from your mistakes that

a) working by hand is hard work, but you can make it a bit easier with proper technique
b) you didn't do things so wrong that you damaged the paint
c) Ultimate Compound is pretty forgiving, even when misused (within limits, of course!)

We fully expect that next time out you'll do things the right way and it will make your job much, much easier.

[octavian2013]

Re: Ultimate Compound misused, plus Ultimate Paste Wax after the UC applied

Thanks! A great forum you guys have here The stickies will be my guide the next time.