Compound with the most cut

[ScottH]

Dear Forum Members,

What is your go to compound that you consider to have the most cut/bite? Also, how would you rate that compound in terms of its ability to finish? (e.g. do you typically have to polish down or have you stopped after using your favorite cutting compound?)


Reason I ask: I did a massive F350 today that was COVERED in thousands and thousands of etched in water spots. It took over 8 hours just to correct the paint, with at least half that time to remove the water spots. FYI: I used McKee's 37 Fast Cut Compound this time around, and was wondering what you all use. I also have Griot's FCC and love it. It finishes down well but was wondering if you all know of something with more cut than these two.

Left side after compound. Right side untouched.

P.S. I will post more pics in the Show and Shine section.

Many thanks!
ScottH

 

[Paul A.]

My new favorite is now Sonax CutMax. I've been using Menz HCC 400 for years and will still keep a bottle of it but CutMax blew me away. They both finish down really nice too. I'd give the edge to Menz on the finish scale.

There are certainly more aggressive compounds out there but Menz 400 or now Sonax CutMax with a wool pad and my rotary are all I ever really need and even wool/rotary is rare for me. If I was looking at bad water etching on hard Ford paint I probably would test CutMax, rotary and wool.

I vary the bite by changing pads or machine.

 

[mckobe]

I use Griots FCC. So many products on the market i wonder how many products are the same thing, just a different label.

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

I’ve recently used Griots FCC and CP clear cut. FCC is great and works well. If you looking for most aggressive though, clear cut is it. Way to aggressive for a rookie like me.


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[dlc95]

Usually Menzerna FG400 or Rupes Zephir is enough for me.

Megs M100 on microfiber is still very potent too.

I'm very interested in 3D ACA500 though.

 

[TTQ B4U]

IMO the best combo is either a Flex 3401 or Rupes Mille with CarPro Clear Cut and some purple/blue wool pads. That's my go-to for super cut and great finish out thus minimizing the time for refining with a polish.

 

[ScottH]

Thank you all for the recommendations. Is Sonax cut Maxx or CarPro Carpro clear cut worth twice the price of griots fast correcting cream in your opinions ? Are they low to no dust like FCC?

PS is FCC silicone free?

ScottH

 

[Paul A.]

Great question, Scott, and I'm pretty frugal with my business expenses.

I have found I use less product with Sonax vs Menzerna. Not much but certainly less per job. I start with 3-4 small drops and then add only 2 dots to continue. That makes it last a long time and I consider that.

The other thing that impressed me is it dusts even less than Menz...not that Menz is a dusty product either.

I have heard, read and seen outstanding results from Griot's FCC and will give it a good test run this summer but for now I'm a Sonax cutter.

 

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Fast correcting cream with a microfiber cutting pad on my 21mm is pretty legit.

Also IGL F1 with the same setup is a heavy cut and easy wipe down.

M100 can be a bit heavier depending on the paint.

 

[Mike@ShineStruck]

Scholls concepts S0

 

[SWETM]

Scholls concepts S0

And how is the finish you get from S0? Also it's not even recommended to be used with a polisher but just hand polishing. It's like a liquid sandpaper LOL. We have the S1 Black SS in Sweden on a try out it seems. A ligit cutting compound and finish down good for the heavy cut it has. Shock2Cut is the heavy cut compound otherwise.

In the Menzerna line you have the SHC300 heavy cut compound 10 in cut and 6 in finish vs HC400 8/8. But as others has mentioned the Sonax Cutmax is a great heavy cut compound. Thought of going with the Carpro ClearCut but found another one that claimed to be able to get p600 sanding marks out and finish down to p12000. And this has got a heavier cut version to only be used on the hard paints. Have used the I have too little at this moment. Did a test spot with it once on a medium to soft paint with a hybrid foam and wool pad and it was cutting to much LOL. Would like to be testing the 3D ACA 500 as it's got very good results in the match up Apex Detailing Channel on Youtube have done. He has a series of testing compounds that the podium compounds seems to be great ones.

AGO has released Sonax wool pad for the DA resently. These kind of pads is used very much here in the EU and even Asia. You have the LC purple wool pad that seems to be simualar to these short haired wool pads that has gotten so popular here. The benefit with these vs mf cutting pads is the lower heat these have during compounding. And most finish down quite good also so a finishing polishing is only needed to be done. Usefull and works great on rotary polisher too of what I have heard. Would be interesting to hear how the new twisted wool pad Rupes have done for their rotary is.

Didn't McKees 37 release the 717 compound for the extra cut that the fast cut compound is lacking with?

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

FCC is body shop safe I believe. I haven’t tried other compounds but clear cut is legit.


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[Dr Oldz]

OP...... What machine you using?


3D ACA 500 is a heavy cutter with a pretty nice finish
SONAX Cutmax also is a heavy cutter with a good finish
Meg’s 110 has good cut with incredible finishing capabilities.

Griots Fast CC, Carpro Clear Cut, 3D AAT compound, Menzerna FG 400 are a few good compounds worth mentioning and will perform well for you.

Personally I have been enjoying Megs 110 the most as of lately.

There are compounds way stronger than these listed but not recommended for detailing, they are more for refinishing or gel coats.

 

[ScottH]

FCC is body shop safe I believe. I haven’t tried other compounds but clear cut is legit.


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I emailed Griot's about this and they responded today with "Thank you for taking the time to email us here at Griot's Garage. The BOSS creams do have a small trace of silicone."

Hope this helps,
ScottH

 

[ScottH]

OP...... What machine you using?


3D ACA 500 is a heavy cutter with a pretty nice finish
SONAX Cutmax also is a heavy cutter with a good finish
Meg’s 110 has good cut with incredible finishing capabilities.

Griots Fast CC, Carpro Clear Cut, 3D AAT compound, Menzerna FG 400 are a few good compounds worth mentioning and will perform well for you.

Personally I have been enjoying Megs 110 the most as of lately.

There are compounds way stronger than these listed but not recommended for detailing, they are more for refinishing or gel coats.

I use any of these: Griot's GG6, Griot's BOSS G15 or Makita PO5000C. All 5" BP's.

Thanks!
ScottH

 

[Dr Oldz]

I use any of these: Griot's GG6, Griot's BOSS G15 or Makita PO5000C. All 5" BP's.

Thanks!
ScottH

Any of those that I listed will work great for you.

I suggest spending some time with an individual compound or polish and really honing your personal technique. That is truly the way to get the most out of them.

 

[Kaban]

I like M100.

Menz FG and Megs 101 are too long working and more oily/difficult to remove. They might have more cut but there hasn't really been a car at the shop where M100 didn't do the job with relative ease so I don't bother with the other products

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

I emailed Griot's about this and they responded today with "Thank you for taking the time to email us here at Griot's Garage. The BOSS creams do have a small trace of silicone."

Hope this helps,
ScottH

Where I got my info

Griots Q&A

Detailed image

These are older post though and maybe formula would change but surprised Griots would add Silicone....


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[ScottH]

Where I got my info

Griots Q&A

Detailed image

These are older post though and maybe formula would change but surprised Griots would add Silicone....


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.... and the bottles also say silicone free.

ScottH

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

3D ACA 500 is great. FCC, TLC, M110, CutMax are good as well. If you can't get defects out with these compounds, either damp sand or leave them alone. Anything heavier and you're going to remove a lot of clear very fast. It's possible with the ones I mentioned, too.