Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

[greg0303]

After Hurricane Sandy last week and a snow storm on Wednesday the weather was absolutely stunning this weekend. We even reached mid 60's today which does not happen to often in November. It was a perfect time for pre-winter quick detail.

I used M205/ rotary buffer combo on my car a year ago so this time I opted for Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401 team.

1. Wash - two buckets/ two grid guards, Meguiar's Rinseless Express Wash, microfiber mitt, Water Magnet;
2. Clay - consumer clay bar, M34 Final Inspection;
3. Clean/ Polish - Ultimate Polish, Flex 3401 Speed 4, Lake Country Hybrid white polishing pads 6.5" and 4";
4. Protect/ Wax - Ultimate Paste Wax, Flex 3401 Speed 2.5, Lake Country HydroTech crimson finishing pad 4".

Wheels - Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner;
Tires - Endurance Tire Gel;
Glass - Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner;
External trim - Gold Class Trim Detailer.

Pics after quick treatment:











The vehicle's paint didn't have any major issues beside towel marks and couple small scratches. I used an edge buffing technique on the scratches and it worked well.

Ultimate Polish leaves super shiny paint behind. It goes on and off very easily without dusting. I primed pads before UP application to use its maximum potential right from the beginning. I also like the darkening effect of this cleaner polish.

Comparing Ultimate Polish to M205 Ultra Finishing Polish, I would give higher gloss advantage to UP but paint depth belongs to M205:
(it can be seen here: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...hine&highlight=).

Some more aerial pics:

[davey g-force]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Nice work Greg! Your car looks stunning as usual

Can you explain what you mean by "an edge buffing technique"? Is it literally just buffing using the edge of the pad? (Like they tell you not to?)

[Marc08EX]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

The reflection shots look phenomenal, Greg! Your paint looks a mile deep.

I'm sure your ride will turn heads as you cruise in the streets. Great job as usual my friend!

How long did the entire process take you? How do you like the hybrid pads?

[Marc08EX]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Nice work Greg! Your car looks stunning as usual

Can you explain what you mean by "an edge buffing technique"? Is it literally just buffing using the edge of the pad? (Like they tell you not to?)

Hi Davey,

Here's the thread about edging: Edging the DA - A Game Changer

[smack]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Incredible Greg. I love it.

I just received my 3401/hybrid 5 inch combo recently and M205/white leaves machine marks/buffer trails in the paint. I have to run the black pad with M205 to keep the buffer trails at bay.

[davey g-force]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Hi Davey,

Here's the thread about edging: Edging the DA - A Game Changer

Thanks very much for the link Marc - not sure how I missed that one.

So Greg, did you use a cut down BP too?

[wifpd4]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

I know there are many variables, time of day, background, angle, camera setting, but I think the Ultimate Polish looks bluer and more striking. Either way, nicely done.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Great work, Greg, we've seen show cars that don't shine like this! And it's nice to see someone doing the UP/M205 comparo since they're so closely related.

[greg0303]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Nice work Greg! Your car looks stunning as usual
Can you explain what you mean by "an edge buffing technique"? Is it literally just buffing using the edge of the pad? (Like they tell you not to?)
So Greg, did you use a cut down BP too?

Thanks, Davey.

I only use edge buffing for small isolated problems. The stress on buffing pad and backing plate is sagnificant plus heat build up. You also need to keep the rotation going (it's easy with forced rotation but harder with traditional D/A's).
I used LC universal backing plate for Flex 3401: 4"/6".

The reflection shots look phenomenal, Greg! Your paint looks a mile deep.
I'm sure your ride will turn heads as you cruise in the streets. Great job as usual my friend!
How long did the entire process take you? How do you like the hybrid pads?

Thank you, Marc.

I did the wheels a day before and then worked for about 6 hours washing, claying, polishing and waxing.

Incredible Greg. I love it.
I just received my 3401/hybrid 5 inch combo recently and M205/white leaves machine marks/buffer trails in the paint. I have to run the black pad with M205 to keep the buffer trails at bay.

Thanks, Mike.

If you like it, as a BMW Nut, I like it as well.
I can picture M205/ Flex 3401/ white hybrid pad being aggressive on Jet Black. I always used to finish with a soft pad on that paint.

I know there are many variables, time of day, background, angle, camera setting, but I think the Ultimate Polish looks bluer and more striking. Either way, nicely done.

Thanks, David.

I got it absolutely right. I played with several tools/ speeds/ buffing pads/ liquids on that paint and the final results differ.
I've tried rotary buffer/ M205, with both finishing and polishing pads, on different speeds, G110v2 & Flex 3401/ Ultimate Polish with polishing pads on different speeds and the final look was totally different in each case. Those liquids are just so flexible.
My favorite combos (on that paint) so far are: rotary buffer/ M205/ polishing pad at 1,400 rpm and Flex 3401/ UP/ polishing pad/ speed 4.

Great work, Greg, we've seen show cars that don't shine like this! And it's nice to see someone doing the UP/M205 comparo since they're so closely related.

Thank you, Mike.

I love Meguiar's SMAT products. They work incredibly well and let control the final look as well. Even OTC liquids, like UC and UP, perform superb.

[Andy M.]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Hey Greg,


Great work. Thanks for sharing! I really gotta get up there for project Altima and just to hang out! LOL (although I am still having some issues with my recovery) You and I have certainly been batted around by these storms. I am glad things are getting "somewhat" back to normal and you had a chance to get out and do your truck. Although, our regions recovery will be long.

Keep it up! By the way we really didn't need the snow did we? Some of the areas down by me, well at least where I work, including the shore areas got 5-8" of it which once again took power out for some of the people who had just gotten it back! GRRRR Even some of the guys who work for me lost it again!

Talk to you soon.

Andy

[greg0303]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Hey Greg,
Great work. Thanks for sharing! I really gotta get up there for project Altima and just to hang out! LOL (although I am still having some issues with my recovery) You and I have certainly been batted around by these storms. I am glad things are getting "somewhat" back to normal and you had a chance to get out and do your truck. Although, our regions recovery will be long.
Keep it up! By the way we really didn't need the snow did we? Some of the areas down by me, well at least where I work, including the shore areas got 5-8" of it which once again took power out for some of the people who had just gotten it back! GRRRR Even some of the guys who work for me lost it again!
Talk to you soon.
Andy

Thank you, Andy.

I didn't realize the super high gloss until the final pics were taken. UPW added to it as well.

You got it right - it's going to be a long recovery period. I only had about 3-4" of snow last week, nothing major.
Project Altima sounds good, let me know what works for you best.

[TimG]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Looking good Greg!

[greg0303]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Looking good Greg!

Thanks, Tim.

How have you been ?

[TimG]

Re: Going for max gloss - Ultimate Polish/ Flex 3401

Thanks, Tim.

How have you been ?

Been busy with detailing work and some 4wd adventures. Those two dont mix well, mate *haha! * Good to see old forumers still posting up good stuff