Using heavy compunds by hand

[Shawn T.]

What would happen if I were to use m4 Heavy Cut Compound on paint or on headlights by hand? There is an auto parts store that sells this and m1 medium Cut Cleaner and wanted to know what would happen upon hand application. Thanks in advance.

[Tuck91]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

What would happen if I were to use m4 Heavy Cut Compound on paint or on headlights by hand? There is an auto parts store that sells this and m1 medium Cut Cleaner and wanted to know what would happen upon hand application. Thanks in advance.

You really do not want to use M04 by hand on your car's paint.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

I've had great results using 105 by hand as well as scratchX.

Check this link out.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7011

Welcome to MOL

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

M04 Heavy Cut Cleaner uses diminishing abrasives that start out fairly large in size but break down under the shear and heat of a rotary buffer. They do not, however, break down to an ultra fine polish like some other diminishing abrasives do, and they really do need the power of a rotary in order to be properly utilized. Hand application won't break down these diminishing abrasives sufficiently, resulting in a very high probability of hazed or even scoured paint. Potentially heavily so, depending on the paint itself.

Products that utilize SMAT (super micro abrasive technology) are much more suitable to fast cutting by hand. M105 and even its consumer derivative, Ultimate Compound, will yield far superior results by hand than will M04, whether working on paint or headlight lenses. Ultimate Compound can generally be found at most larger auto parts stores.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

Thanks, you just saved me a heartache. Would the same be true for M01 Medium Cut Cleaner?

[Tuck91]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

Thanks, you just saved me a heartache. Would the same be true for M01 Medium Cut Cleaner?

Most likely, yes.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

Thanks, you just saved me a heartache. Would the same be true for M01 Medium Cut Cleaner?

Technically, yes and no. M01 is rated for use by hand, but it's not a very fine finishing product so it will likely need to be followed up with something even less aggressive, most commonly M02 Fine Cut Cleaner. But the Heavy/Medium/Fine Cut Cleaner trio is a bit old school in both formulation and execution. That's all fine and well as this process still has its place, but in many cases you can achieve more cut with Ultimate Compound, and get a nice finish with it as well, all in a single step. Simply put, abrasives technology has advanced quite a bit in the several decades since this trio was introduced.

What exactly are you working on and looking to achieve with these, or any substitute product?

[Shawn T.]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

I am working to remove some nasty swirls and scratches that were inflicted when my sister started using a very hard bristled snow brush on my care. It is a 2008 Chili Red Mini CooperS and I did not know she would do such a thing. I know images would be helpful, but as I said in another post, my camera is broken and I need to borrow one from someone or get a new one. Basically, just imagine something that is filled with swirls and a few RIDS from when she was rubbing the zipper of her jacket against the paint. This plus my car cover story from my previous post has left a lot of swirling and I wanted to know the best way to remove them. Of course, I am going to have to wait about another month for the weather to warm up. Thank you for all your help!

[Shawn T.]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

BTW, I have UC and Swirlx but the owner of an auto parts store near me showed me M04 and M01 and told me I could use them by hand. I was skeptical and thats why I asked. I was trying to see if there was a more efficient method. Thank again everyone!

[Tuck91]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

BTW, I have UC and Swirlx but the owner of an auto parts store near me showed me M04 and M01 and told me I could use them by hand. I was skeptical and thats why I asked. I was trying to see if there was a more efficient method. Thank again everyone!

Ultimate Compound and SwirlX will be a lot safer to use by hand than M04 and M01.

Just be sure to do a test spot before rubbing out the whole car.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Using heavy compunds by hand

BTW, I have UC and Swirlx but the owner of an auto parts store near me showed me M04 and M01 and told me I could use them by hand. I was skeptical and thats why I asked. I was trying to see if there was a more efficient method. Thank again everyone!

Ultimate Compound and SwirlX will be a lot safer to use by hand than M04 and M01.

Just be sure to do a test spot before rubbing out the whole car.

UC will not only be safer but will be more effective, more efficient, and leave a nicer finish. We appreciate your parts store owner recommending some of our products, but technology has advanced quite a bit and if you're working on a modern paint finish, UC is a far better choice.

Having said that, there are guys out there who have been using the same products for decades and are getting great results. They have a process so dialed in that, even if something newer and more efficient comes along, they won't switch because it's different. And different means learning a new process or technique, and these guys are just too set in their ways. And honestly, there really isn't anything wrong with that.