Am I better starting off with Meguiar's Ultimate Finish or Ultimate Compound?

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AliMusa

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I'm hopefully going to begin detailing my car for the very first time since I've purchased it, which was 5+ years ago. It has a bunch of scratches, nothing deep, and many years of improper car wash induced swirls. My question is which is better to try first to get these scratches & swirls off? I'm debating either between Meg's Ultimate Finish or Meg's Ultimate Compound (M205 or M105). If I should use something else besides these two items, then please let me know. I want to stay in the price range of these two items though ($8-$20).

Also, is there another step to do after polishing but before waxing?
 
AliMusa said:
I'm hopefully going to begin detailing my car for the very first time since I've purchased it, which was 5+ years ago. It has a bunch of scratches, nothing deep, and many years of improper car wash induced swirls. My question is which is better to try first to get these scratches & swirls off? I'm debating either between Meg's Ultimate Finish or Meg's Ultimate Compound (M205 or M105). If I should use something else besides these two items, then please let me know. I want to stay in the price range of these two items though ($8-$20).

Also, is there another step to do after polishing but before waxing?
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You'd probably be best getting both the 8oz size to start depending on how often you're going to detail. You don't want to get M205 and find out you need more cut and M105 won't likely leave your finish ready for wax.

Some people throw in an IPA (isopropyl alcohol) wipe down or wash before applying a sealant/wax to make sure the paint is cleared up and remove any oils or dusting leftover.
 
AliMusa said:
I'm hopefully going to begin detailing my car for the very first time since I've purchased it, which was 5+ years ago. It has a bunch of scratches, nothing deep, and many years of improper car wash induced swirls. My question is which is better to try first to get these scratches & swirls off? I'm debating either between Meg's Ultimate Finish or Meg's Ultimate Compound (M205 or M105). If I should use something else besides these two items, then please let me know. I want to stay in the price range of these two items though ($8-$20).

Also, is there another step to do after polishing but before waxing?
Click to expand...

If you are using Megs polishes then an IPA wipedown would be needed before you apply a wax; especially with the Ultimate line. The IPA removes the polishing oils which you do not want to mix with the wax.

Will you be polishing by hand or machine?
 
M205 with a heavier pad can really do wonders so you may just want to get 205 with some orange pads. Just a thought
 
mwoolfso said:
If you are using Megs polishes then an IPA wipedown would be needed before you apply a wax; especially with the Ultimate line. The IPA removes the polishing oils which you do not want to mix with the wax.

Will you be polishing by hand or machine?
Click to expand...

Machine. What do I do with the IPA after polishing and buffing?
 
cleanmycorolla said:
M205 with a heavier pad can really do wonders so you may just want to get 205 with some orange pads. Just a thought
Click to expand...

That was actually my plan but I was told that M105 gets deeper into the scratches and swirls and overall works better than M205. I just wanted to see what everyone else said to confirm what was true and what wasn't.
 
I'm assuming he would have to clay first right? (What I have learned from all your guy's great help)

Then do test spots to see how abrasive he'd have to go with the polish?
 
AliMusa said:
Machine. What do I do with the IPA after polishing and buffing?
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mix it with some distiller water a 25% solution will work or so depending on who you read. Spray it and wipe it down with a microfiber. It will remove any previous sealant and wax, as well as remove oils that could be hiding any scratches as well. It gives you a true representation of your paint.

AliMusa said:
That was actually my plan but I was told that M105 gets deeper into the scratches and swirls and overall works better than M205. I just wanted to see what everyone else said to confirm what was true and what wasn't.
Click to expand...
M105 will cut more but usually doesn't leave a finish ready for wax or sealant. You'll likely need a polish or finishing polish to clear up any hazing, hologramming, and such.
 
hernandez.art13 said:
I'm assuming he would have to clay first right? (What I have learned from all your guy's great help)

Then do test spots to see how abrasive he'd have to go with the polish?
Click to expand...
Definitely clay before compounding and polishing to remove contaminants.

And yes test spots to see what will give you the results you desire as well as make sure you start out as least aggressive products. You don't want to take more clear coat off than you have to.
 
af90 said:
mix it with some distiller water a 25% solution will work or so depending on who you read. Spray it and wipe it down with a microfiber. It will remove any previous sealant and wax, as well as remove oils that could be hiding any scratches as well. It gives you a true representation of your paint.

M105 will cut more but usually doesn't leave a finish ready for wax or sealant. You'll likely need a polish or finishing polish to clear up any hazing, hologramming, and such.
Click to expand...

For 32oz, would I do 8oz of alcohol and the rest (24oz) water? Also, does it have to be distilled? Should I just buy distilled water from the supermarket or is there a way to distill it myself at home?

Also, how much should I spray on a spot? And should I dry by patting or is it okay to dry regularly since I'll be polishing right after?
 
af90 said:
Definitely clay before compounding and polishing to remove contaminants.

And yes test spots to see what will give you the results you desire as well as make sure you start out as least aggressive products. You don't want to take more clear coat off than you have to.
Click to expand...

So are the proper steps to wash, dry, CLAY, polish, buffer, CLAY, IPA, CLAY AGAIN? & then wax? Or is that wrong?

Is M205 the correct way to start? And if that doesn't work move on to M105?
 
First wash the car, I am going to use Dawn (still have to learn on that)

Then clay with with a quick was spray,
Then do a test spot with the least aggressive polish then check for results.

If it works then polish with that.

If not move to a more aggressive polish.

Then wash the car with car wash soap. Then apply the wax.

I will be using Collinite no. 476 for wax. (As junkman suggested to me)

Which I will be a be able to top later on with a Carnauba wax.

Still learning "true detailing"
 
Get a clean shower towel drop it on dirt. Then dust it off. If you won't clean a new born baby's face with it or use it to clean an open wound. Don't use it on your car's paint.

Work like a surgeon during operation.
 
mwoolfso said:
If you are using Megs polishes then an IPA wipedown would be needed before you apply a wax; especially with the Ultimate line.
Click to expand...

Hi mwoolfso, correct me if I'm wrong but aren't you supposed to only do IPA wipedown just to check on your polishing result and not strip the oils?
 
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