Cut number of Ultimate Compound (and SwirlX)?

[akimel]

Hi, guys. At a another forum a question has been raised about the cutting power of Ultimate Compound (and by implication, SwirlX, too). We have all seen the article visually comparing the aggressiveness of the new compounds and polishes, with UC standing between M105 and SwirlX and SwirlX standing between M83 and UC. But folks would still like a "number" to get a feel for the comparative abrasiveness of UC and SwirlX. Someone believes that he saw the number 6 assigned to UC here on MOL ("I am not a number. I am a free man"), but I do not recall seeing this assignment.

So what are Ultimate Compound's and SwirlX's cutting power numbers? Even if a number has not been officially stipulated, would you mind hazarding an unofficial guess please. I think it would be helpful for people in making their product choices. We know that M105 has a cut number of 12, M83 a cut number of 6, and M205 a cut number of 4. What numbers might be reasonably given to Ultimate Compound and SwirlX? TIA.

Cheers,
Al

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cut number of Ultimate Compound (and SwirlX)?

Don't know if Meguiar's will attribute a number or rating to the Consumer Line because it can also cause confusion.

How about a more simple approach?

SwirlX = Light Cut
ScratchX 2.0 = Medium Cut
Ultimate Compound = Heavy Cut


Also keep in mind that with the SMAT products you can adjust the cut by how much pressure you apply; for light cut with any of these product apply it lightly or gently. For more aggressive abrading power put a little more passion behind the pad.

You can also stop anytime during the application process, so for less or no cutting simply stop working the product.

And for ANY product that abrades you can increase the abrasiveness or decrease the abrasiveness by changing your application material and this applies when you're working both by hand or machine.


Extreme Online Enthusiasts on the discussion forums trend towards taking things that are very simple and making them more complicated. For example, while a segment of people may want a number or a scale on the label, in the big picture you evaluate the finish and if the paint is in rally bad condition with lots of swirls and scratches the grab a bottle of Ultimate Compound and get to work.

If the paint is in pretty good shape with only light or shallow swirls and scratches you can opt for SwirlX or you can even opt for either ScratchX 2.0 or Ultimate Compound and simply balance how long and how aggressively you work them.

It's really not that complicated.

[Dsoto87]

Re: Cut number of Ultimate Compound (and SwirlX)?

IMO, if we're stricly talking about products with SMAT I would rate them as follows:

M105:12
M86:10
UC:8
M205:4
SwirlX:2/3

And ofcourse, pad/pressure will adjust the cut accordingly.

[Chop]

Re: Cut number of Ultimate Compound (and SwirlX)?

Also keep in mind that with the SMAT products you can adjust the cut by how much pressure you apply;

Ok. This is a new Acronym I don't have so what does SMAT means?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cut number of Ultimate Compound (and SwirlX)?

Ok. This is a new Acronym I don't have so what does SMAT means?

Hot Topics to the rescue...

What's the difference between Meguiar's Super Micro Abrasive technology and Meguiar's Diminishing Abrasive technology?


(Lot's of good stuff in Hot Topics)