UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Well, just an update, I've ordered 2 4 packs of the yellow pads, I think W0004 or something, and will try again when they come in.

My process will be:
clay
ultimate compound
ultimate polish
techwax

Should I add colorx or whatever in there? Or if I can't get it to come out nice with that combo, then what?

[Tafner]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?


Just don't mix products when using the soft foam. You really are gonna need a couple more for the whole car. Try UC with the Microfiber and leave the foam for UP.
If it works then you know what you have to do to the whole car. That's the beauty of the test spot!

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Cbrenthus, how are you applying your Tech Wax ? Don't you have a soft foam for that ?

I think it may have come with one, but I used the microfiber pads. I was specifically leaving out the applicator to see if someone would bring it up, I will get sone and try again! At least I've been smart and just doing test patches

[Tafner]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Cbrenthus, how are you applying your Tech Wax ? Don't you have a soft foam for that ?

[Tafner]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

I guess that is the problem, I believe it's ok to use the microfiber pad with UC, but when it's come to UP I believe you need to be more gentle and use the Soft Foam.

You can try using Meguiars Dealer Locator here http://www.meguiars.com/dealerlocator/

Autogeek is in Florida so it should only take one bussiness day to arrive if you order online with them.

Hope it helps.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

It seems like after the uc. I'm using a microfiber pad, I've been thinking about trying some foam pads but it looks like the only way to get them is online?

[Tafner]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Ok, so let's go step-by-step, when did you notice the hazing ? After UC ? If so, you can try applying a second coat of UP, small sections at a time and working the product in for a good period of time.

What pad are you using to apply UP ? Try applying by hand with the soft foam applicator and check the results. Don't use too much pressure.

Hope it helps.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Well, and update - I tried the Ultimate polish, so my steps were wash, clay ultimate compound, ultimate polish, and tech wax. It looks good, but now it is hazy I got rid of the smearing, but the test patch I did looks hazy and not as deep as the non-test patch. I'm thinking about trying the colorx, but after that I think I'm lost. Any more suggestions?

Thanks for all the help.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

meguiars doesnt have a product that does not harm my paint.. even the glaze swirls my paint

outsideshot23 - Again, I understand your frustration, but for your own benefit it is probably best to keep the discussion regarding your current issues in your own thread so people can follow the developments and offer advice.

Posting off-topic messages in a different thread doesn't really help anyone.

[outsideshot23]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

meguiars doesnt have a product that does not harm my paint.. even the glaze swirls my paint

[Tafner]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Take your time and look closely in the sun to see if there is still any haze or little scratches left after using only UP, if you are happy with the results then apply wax for protection.
If you feel it is still not perfect you can always get to it the next time you detail in a couple of weeks, doing the whole 5 step cycle.
Take some pictures to illustrate if you can.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Well, I tried the UP last night, but it was too late for me to really get it out in the sun and see. I gave the surface a quick was, re-calyed, then tried the UP, then Techwax 2.0. My question now is that if it didn't work, should I try starting from the UC again to be sure?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Ultimate Compound is a fairly aggressive product and in some cases (ie, with some paints) it can leave a bit of haze. As others have mentioned, that hazing is usually very easy to correct with a less aggressive product, and Ultimate Polish is going to be a superior choice over Deep Crystal Polish to remove this hazing. Why? Because DC Polish is a pure polish with no cleaning (ie, no abrasives) ability to it, so it would only be hiding the haze. UP, with it's SMAT abrasives will actually remove the haze and still give you the polishing oils to enhance gloss prior to wax application.


As for UC causing some hazing - sometimes you need a product with some extra punch to remove the defects, even if that product leaves the paint less than perfect in the process. This is really no different than using a strong compound via rotary buffer to pull out sanding marks, albeit on a much less aggressive scale. Sometimes you don't have much of a choice but to trade out heavy, random defects (swirls, scratches, etchings) for a much more refined and predictable defect (light haze), then easily remove the haze with a second step. It really all depends on the paint and application method. We've seen cases where UC leaves the paint looking gorgeous and ready for wax, and we've seen cases where UC is just flat out waaaay too aggressive and should be substituted with a different, less aggressive product. And the same can be said of almost any product on the market as nothing works 100% equally on all paint finishes.

[Cbrenthus]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

Yup, that makes sense! So, I'm off to buy some up!

[akimel]

Re: UC smearing: What am I doing wrong?

UP = Ultimate Polish
LSP = last step product, i.e., your wax/sealant

Depending on one's paint system, one may find the Ultimate Compound leaves a little hazing on the paint. One will then want to follow up with a less abrasive polish like Ultimate Polish to remove the hazing. On other paint systems, however, one may find that UC leaves the paint LSP-ready, that is to say, there's no marring and the paint is ready for wax. Does that make sense?