Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with DA

[DrJ S2000]

Hello guys

I have a Honda S2000, colour Spa Yellow Pearl, with only light swirls and minor clear coat scratches (can't catch a fingernail).
I've succesfully used Meguiar's Water spot remover applied by hand for a few dried water spots, and Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint Cleaner for localised light oxidation on both doors also applied by hand. Both using the microfiber applicator pad.
I'm about to buy the Meguiar's Dual Action Polisher.

My questions are:
- can Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint Cleaner be applied with the DA?
- how "heavy"/effective is the Deep Crystal Step 1 compared to SwirlX and Ultimate Compound (and ScratchX 2.0)
- how "heavy" is Ultimate Compound really??

I would like the answers as much as possible to apply to my S2000... The Spa Yellow Pearl paint itself does quite a job in "hiding" swirls, especially (paradoxically) in bright sunshine when you see the pearlescent effect to its fullest.

I'm unsure to if Ultimate Compound will be too hard on the clear coat, as the swirls an scratches are only minor..
Is the SwirlX worth buying when I already have the Deep Crystal Step 1?

Sincerely

[Stephan]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

See graphic in link below for aggressiveness order (doesn't have DC in it, but DC is OK on DA. DC1 has no abrasives, it is a chemical based cleaner, so would be at the least aggressive end of scale):

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...l-surprise-you!

Meguiar's Polisher and the MF Correction Pads and Chemicals may be right up your alley.

[Stephan]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

p.s. Ultimate Compound is very flexible, depending on the pads you use and pressure and speed applied. It is the "go to" correction product for us weekend warriors.

[DrJ S2000]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

Yes, same scale with non-pro products as shown in the non-pro catalog.
But even though Deep Crystal Step 1 is only chemical, it still removed an area with oxidation/hazing... so it must have some minor abrasive action?? - or was it just the circular motion of the microfiber applicator pad that took care of the oxidation??

So I guess I should try a single pass with Deep Crystal Step 1 on DA, and if no effect then use SwirlX (as my clear coat only have minor swirls and light surface scratches)??

[DrJ S2000]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

Ah, you're right, that makes sense.
Of course it is not only the product itself that does the work, but also the type of pad and aggressivenes of pressure and speed applied..
So agressive pressure and speed with SwirlX could actually produce the same result as light pressure and speed with Ultimate compound, using the same pad (I take it that I should use a yellow polishing pad for both SwirlX and Ultimate compound, and a black finishing pad for polish and wax..).

[jankerson]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

Ah, you're right, that makes sense.
Of course it is not only the product itself that does the work, but also the type of pad and aggressivenes of pressure and speed applied..
So agressive pressure and speed with SwirlX could actually produce the same result as light pressure and speed with Ultimate compound, using the same pad (I take it that I should use the yellow polishing pad for both SwirlX and Ultimate compound, and the black finishing pad for polish and wax..).

Yellow pad for both Compound and Polish then the black pad for Wax.

You can however follow the polish with the yellow pad with polish and the black pad at lower speed as an extra step.

[Stephan]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

The MF applicators probably induced some cut, however, the specs on DC Paint Cleaner says:

"This non-abrasive paint cleaner safely removes road grime, surface contamination, light oxidation, swirls and light scratches to restore damaged and dull finishes."

A single pass probably won't have much effect. I always start with little pressure to spread out the product to the work area, then do horizontal overlapping pass(es) , then do vertical overlapping pass(es) at heavier pressure and slower motion to work the product.

[Stephan]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

Fyi:

yes, deep crystal paint cleaner has been discontinued. It was replaced with a pair of products, really - swirlx for fine swirls and ultimate compound for more severe defects. Ultimate polish was introduced a year or so later and is even more mild than either of these two, plus it contains more polishing oils so it should further help with gloss enhancement.

Also, I've used finishing pads with some "cleaning" products. Getting the perfect combination of product and pad often requires experimentation (read that: "testing"). Pad and product recommendations are just that, recommendations, not cast in stone or prefect for every project.

Pad and product recommendations (slightly dated, but very helpful:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?37547-Product-Pad-and-Speed-settings-for-the-G110-Dual-Action-Polisher-Updated!&highlight=pad+and+product

I don't see DC Paint Cleaner on there, so I'm a little worried about my statement it's OK on a DA. Other DC products are on there though.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

- can Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint Cleaner be applied with the DA?

Yes, not a problem at all.

- how "heavy"/effective is the Deep Crystal Step 1 compared to SwirlX and Ultimate Compound (and ScratchX 2.0)

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is definitely the least aggressive of these, with SwirlX being next up in aggressiveness, then ScratchX 2.0 and finally Ultimate Compound.

- how "heavy" is Ultimate Compound really??

UC is derived from M105 in our Mirror Glaze Pro Line, so it's actually quite aggressive.

Now, having said all that, if you have been able to remove light defects and oxidation by hand using Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, we would recommend trying that first with your new DA. If you pair it with a yellow polishing pad and speed setting 4 on the tool you will gain an increase in cut over using it at a slower speed with a finishing pad. As has been pointed out, the cut of any product can be altered by using different pads, tool speed, etc.

Honda paint tends to be on the softer side so you may find that DC Paint Cleaner or SwirlX is all you need to correct the defects and bring the paint up to the level you want. Of course, since paint systems do vary quite a bit the very best thing to do is .......... a test spot. That will tell you how the paint on this particular car is responding to the input you're giving it and will help you determine the proper course of action to achieve your goals.

[DrJ S2000]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

Thank you very much to all of you
Quick and intelligent replies!
I'm looking forward to use the DA on my S2000. I'll post before and after pics when I get on with it
All the best.

[LoveBlackPaint]

Re: Deep Crystal Step 1 Paint cleaner vs. SwirlX vs. Ultimate Compund, and using with

Hey Art, HateSwirls here
i seem to run into you often.