UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

[mako20C]

Now that UC and swirl x are out and easy to get at Wally world and auto stores. Not being a professional I find myself using them only now with a M205 as a finishing step.

My question is does UC and swirl x have any polishing oils in like M80 did, am I cleaning and polishing in one step like M80. Or are they cleaning compounds only?. Following with a polish, pure or m205.

I know polishing is going to be usually optional but hopefully you will get the gest of my question.

Thanks for your inputs.

[Murr1525]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

I believe SwirlX is listed as a cleaner/polish, and UC as a cleaner.

But #80 is the cleaner/polish with the most oils, so still good for older paints, single stage, etc.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

I believe SwirlX is listed as a cleaner/polish, and UC as a cleaner.

Very true. M205 is also pretty well equipped in the polish department, plus the abrasives in it go a long way to providing a high level of clarity to the finish.

[fe91]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

It also may be pointless to use 205 after SwirlX,
as they are both very close in aggressiveness.

[mako20C]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

Thanks for the replies, with Meguiars making such similar products in the consumer to professional line, Im trying to use only the consumer products because they are so readily available. As I have used Ultimate Compound and it removed all the defects on my personal cars, but I felt it left the finish a little dry, not soft to the touch. Which led me to believe it was a cleaner only. I have not tried swirl x yet, but I have used M205 which I know is a fine cleaner/polish.

So from the responses, could swirl x be compared to m205 as it is a cleaner/polish. Not necessary to follow with a pure polish. (All things being equal)

With UC and swirl x being sold everywhere now, a general home detailer should not (need) to chase all over town to find M series products, which is all the point Im trying to figure out.

Thanks guys.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

With UC and swirl x being sold everywhere now, a general home detailer should not (need) to chase all over town to find M series products, which is all the point Im trying to figure out.

Thanks guys.

Except...

M105 / M205 - 8 oz Size Now Available

UC and Swirl-X will still be easier to find OTC at WalMart and Target, but it's nice to know that the professional stuff will soon also be readily available at O'Reilly, Pep Boys, NAPA, et al.

[mako20C]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

HA, Clearly Coated, I knew someone was going to post that, I wonder if wally world and auto stores are going to pick those up is all as they are still M series products.
Has anyone seen them out yet?

[mako20C]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

For us on here that are car crazy and took the time to learn how to polish clear coat, I find it difficult to explain it to my friends who love my cars but dont realize the time and patience it took to get them that way. With UC and swirl X and deep crystal polish all being OTC I can make them go buy that stuff and I show them how to use it. With out them having to special order stuff online from ADS and all.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

For us on here that are car crazy and took the time to learn how to polish clear coat, I find it difficult to explain it to my friends who love my cars but dont realize the time and patience it took to get them that way. With UC and swirl X and deep crystal polish all being OTC I can make them go buy that stuff and I show them how to use it. With out them having to special order stuff online from ADS and all.

It certainly helps that Ultimate Compound and SwirlX have consumer-friendly, descriptive product names. I don't know if M105/205 will continue to dissuade folks who want to give their car a nice finish, even in those new consumer friendly bottles. The price is nearly identical among the 4 products, but M105 and M205 are cryptic monikers to most folks who won't take the time to read the labels.

My only question is why Meguiars decided not to offer a professional 'M' designation of UC? I understand the reasoning not to do it for SwirlX - the cut level and polish properties are too close to M80 and M205 to warrant it. But UC fills a separate cut and cleaner category that falls nicely between M83 and M105.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

HA, Clearly Coated, I knew someone was going to post that, I wonder if wally world and auto stores are going to pick those up is all as they are still M series products.
Has anyone seen them out yet?

Too new. Maybe at the next TNOG, or maybe at the Del Mar Nationals next week.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

My only question is why Meguiars decided not to offer a professional 'M' designation of UC?

How do you mean, John? UC is derived from M105 but in a more user friendly formulation that yields less dust and a much longer buffing cycle, especially when used via D/A. To give an "M" designation would make it a pro product, and one that would have to be formulated for use with a rotary, not to mention packaging and distributing it as such, which would sort of defeat the purpose of developing the product in the first place.

We wanted to give the average consumer something with plenty of cut that would still leave a very nice finish, all in one step, but without being as finicky as M105 can be (nor as expensive). We thing UC fits all those criteria beautifully.

[mako20C]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

Michael,
Since your on this thread, am I correct to think the following generalizations.

Ultimate Compound-Cleaner only.
Swirl x- cleaner/polish.

The reason Im beating this up so much is yes UC left a LSP finish on a white vehicle for me, but I wonder on a black vehicle how it would look not being a polish is all.

Now is swirl-x is a cleaning polish am I getting two products in one, say SIMILAR to m205/m80.

Thanks for your input now go enjoy your easter day off!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: UC & Swirl X cleaning compounds only?

You're pretty much spot on, Mako.

We consider a pure polish step to be an optional step, especially when dealing with modern clear coat finishes. That becomes even more of an option when using a cleaner/polish product like M80, M205 or even SwirlX. So you might think it's less of an option and more of a neccessity when using just a dedicated cleaner like Ultimate Compound, but that isn't always the case, especially when finishing with a polish/wax like Gold Class Carnauba Plus or NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0.

But if you find the finish to be LSP ready after using UC, then so be it. If you've got a dark colored car and/or you simply want to achieve the best possible shine, then doing the optional step of applying a pure polish will make sense to you.

It all comes down to what you want out of the finish and how much time you are willing to dedicate to the process. For some a good all in one product like ColorX will suffice. For others, nothing less than the complete treatment will do.