Some questions about compound & polish choice !

[stanclub]

How does D151 compare to M205? Mainly what I am trying to find out is what D151 can't do but M205 can, in the result of polishing specifically? ( since the cost is so much lower on D151 ). With highly cutting level of D151 has than M205, can it be used often on the same vehicle, with DA & polishing pad?

Since I have heard many good comments on D151 on this forum, I am just wondering can D151 perform good enough result to be a low-cost versatile substitution for M205, to a private user with low volume work.

Also, is M95 a SMAT product as well? I have heard M105 drying quick in hot temperature, and I am experiencing the same problem when using it in a low temperature ( about 40-45 degrees in my garage ). So, wondering if M95 can be a better suitable in my case, but same performance as M105.

[greg0303]

Re: Some questions about compound & polish choice !

M205 is a cleaner/ polish so there's no wax/ protection. It has been developed as a follow-up after M105 to remove any defects left by aggressive compound like swirls, micro-marring, haze. It can be used separately for medium paint correction.

D-151 is a cleaner/ polish/ wax also using SMAT. Developed for quick paint corrections at dealerships/ car auctions/ body shops. It's more aggressive than M205 and can be used with all polishing machines or by hand (just like M205).

If 1-step correction is your goal - D151 would be an obvious choice. If you plan to do a 2-step process than depending on level of cut needed both products, D-151 and M205, would work.
More aggressive polishing pad offers better correction ability with less gloss and finishing pad more gloss but less cut.

M105 is Meguiar's most aggressive compound. To extend its buffing cycle Kevin Brown Method would be the best answer - pad priming with product prior to start.

M95 uses diminishing abrasives. It also ranks 12 (like M105) in aggressiveness scale. It offers sanding mark/ deep scratch/ orange peel removal with more traditional buffing feeling.

I usually take advantage of Meguiar's newest technology - SMAT. Those products perform really well.
If I just need to restore gloss M205 is my No. 1 choice, for some paint corrections or 1-step process I reach for D-151 and for serious jobs either Ultimate Compound or M105 depending on cut needed.

I hope it helps.

[Murr1525]

Re: Some questions about compound & polish choice !

UC will also be a bit more DA friendly than #105.

But yeah, different products, so kind of depends on your goals.

M95 is rotary only.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Some questions about compound & polish choice !

First off, D151 vs M205:

D151 was developed to be a good all in one for high volume reconditioning shops where speed and a good finish with some protection is all they're really looking for. When used with more skill, and more time is taken with it, it can perform far better than what a high volume recon facility is asking of it. Surprisingly so, as a matter of fact.

M205 was developed as a follow up to M105 so that any holograms or swirls created by the compounding step can be easily removed. It's also a high end finishing polish that will give the maximum gloss, clarity and reflectivity to a finish.

So between the two, if you've got a daily driver that you just want to keep looking good and you aren't concerned about trying to achieve a true show car finish, or you don't want to do a multi step process, D151 will probably suit you just fine.

Secondly, M105 vs M95:

As has been pointed out, both are similar in cut and both are SMAT products. The differences between them are subtle, but in the pro body shop world there are basically two mindsets when it comes to compounds, and we created products to specifically address each. But where M105 has been slightly tweaked for use on a D/A, M95 remains a rotary only product.

What is often overlooked, even with the tweak to M105, is that both products were designed specifically for use on fresh paint. The solvent content in fresh paint goes a long way to minimize dusting. The primary reasons so many people experience dusting with M105 is that they're using it on drier, older paints with a D/A, and they're using too much product. Had we seriously tweaked M105 to make it super user friendly on a D/A it would have destroyed its ability to do what it was originally designed for.

Enter Ultimate Compound. Derived from M105, it will give you a much, much longer buffing cycle with far less dusting. The cut won't be quite the same, but unless you're trying to pull out sanding marks that should not be an issue. Remember, M105 was developed to remove 1200 grit sanding marks - if you're taking of your cars yourself then you should never have issues that severe. If you do, we need to have a completely different discussion.