105 with a G110V2? Should I switch to UC?

[vfrrider]

Hello,
I've been working on the spouses black Volvo. Using the G110V2, 105 followed by 205, orange CCS pads for 105 followed by Grey CCS for 205. I'm getting the results but have some issues and questions. First, as I've read on searches, the 105 is flash drying very quickly. After spreading the product on my work area, it is drying before I can make my first pass. It dries very very fast. I have produced a ton of dust, and I'm wondering if the product is not as effective in this circumstance. First time using 105, and I am using 3 or 4 applications on each work area before I'm seeing the results I want to move on to the 205. I kind of expected less time needed with the 105. My question is, with the product drying before working it in, am I loosing abrasives out with the dust that is being spun off? Am I just ending up working with what was left under the pad before it dried? It is working, and I know from what I've read that 105 was intended for rotary use, but if I'm wasting product, I'd rather know and move on to something else. I'm using the G110 on setting 5, 1 inch per sec passes, grid pattern repeated 4 or so times as needed per application, 9-14lbs pressure. I've experimented with more or less product, same results.

The car was recently purchased used from dealer, very low miles, solid mechanical but looks like it was ran through $2 auto wash weekly. Clear was rough, but I knew I could bring it back. The products are working and it looks great so far, but my questions again are what have others experienced, and would like advice or suggestions. My understanding from what I've read is that UC is as agressive as 105 but does not require a follow up with 205? Does it use diminishing abrasives? I can work the 205 all day, it has a nice oily base that lends well to the G110. The 105 is a whole different animal, and I just cant see it being meant to be allowed to dry before being worked.

Here are some before and after pics of the hood, and then trunk. I still need to do the sides and lower panels, lot of work ahead, but I'm taking my time and in no hurry. Let me know your thoughts,
Thanks

[Michael Stoops]

Re: 105 with a G110V2? Should I switch to UC?

You will probably find UC to be much more user friendly than M105, and we suspect part of the reason you're needing so many passes with M105 is because of it drying on you so quickly. UC should give you a much longer buffing cycle, and a lot less dust.

UC is derived from M105 so it is not a diminishing abrasive, but rather utilizes the same SMAT as M105. Neither one of the two necessarily needs to be followed with M205 - how the paint reacts to it, what pads you use, and ultimately what you want out of the finish will determine that. Can you follow UC with M205? You bet! Will you notice a difference? In many cases, yes, and quite a noticeable one at that.

[vfrrider]

Re: 105 with a G110V2? Should I switch to UC?

Thanks for the quick reply. I stopped by the local supplier and picked up some UC to see how it compared.
My results;

I did a section on the rear quarter panel to try it out. Exact same application as the 105, impressions - goes on and works similar to 205, heavier yes, but smooth application and long work time like the 205. As I removed the applications and inspected, I believe it works for me a tad less agressively as the 105. I found I needed perhaps one more application for same results as 105. What I did notice different is there was no perceptible haze with the UC, and I could see haze with the 105 on a section adjacent to one that had been finished with 205. The UC seems to finish cleaner.

Soo that brought me back to thinking what can I do to work the 105 better. Clearly it was me. I tend to be too structured perhaps (must move at 1 in per sec, 9-14lbs pressure, must not vary, bla bla bla). I then experimented with my initial application. Ok, so it was drying very quickly, first thing I did is turn off the 1000 watts of halogen lighting I had 36 inches from the work surface (no duh, feel like a moron for not trying that earlier, those things are tanning lamps). Then after the initial spread, I ran the machine up to 5 and moved it faster over the pattern for 15 or so seconds before slowing down for deliberate slow passes. And viola, those two things allowed me to work the 105 in well before it began to dry, and gave me a longer work time. Result? Almost no dust or dry sling compared to before, and better result per application.
So I will keep the UC for spot fixes after my major overhaul I'm doing, I see it being very useful. Further my 14yr old son is interested in learning, I'm going to teach him on another car and let him do that first job using the UC, I see that being better for him. Thanks again for your reply, I'm new at this and still learning. By the way, words and pictures cannot do justice to how flawless the clear is after finishing a section with the 105 and 205. And to think all those years I searched for the proper makeup to cover defects, swirls, and scratches instead of taking the time, patience and learning to properly correct the underlying problems in the first place.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: 105 with a G110V2? Should I switch to UC?

Yes, having those very hot lamps that close to the surface while working can potentially cause an issue - we didn't realize you had them that close all the time!! You observations with UC are absolutely spot on - it is less aggressive than M105 and it's a bit "wetter" as well.

All in all, it sounds like you're well on the way to getting the results you're after, and that you've learned a thing along the way. Good stuff!!