Cutting compounds

0

03Mustanger

New member
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Searched for this topic and couldnt find any good results. What are the best or your favorite cutting compounds? As well with what pads do you use with them?Feed back please
 
Meguiars ultimate compound with a megs DA cutting pad on obviously a DA. Unless your finish is really bad this is excellent and easy to use on any car. Follow up with ultimate polish and a Meg's polishing pad for added gloss (UC never leaves any marring behind unless you practice bad technique).
 
Meguiars M100, M105 & D300
Americana Amerirocks

Meguiars Microfiber cutting & Burgundy cutting discs
CarPro Flash pads
Foamed wool
Orange foam

These are my cutting options. Test spot dictates combo.
 
Meguiar's:
Ultimate Compound
M86
M105
M100
D300

Menzerna:
FG400

Rupes:
Zephyr

Pads
Green Hex Logic
Lake Country Cyan Hydrotech
Rupes Blue Foam
Rupes Blue Microfiber
 
I find Meguiars Ultimate Compound to have the cut of a medium polish.

For compounding Menzerna FG400 and Rupes Zephir(smells like bubblegum).
 
After trying many different products i have simplified my hard cutting to 2 products: Menzerna FG400 or Meg's 105. I vary the cut a bit by varying pad choice but generally use a LC Hybrid Orange pad or a purple foamed wool. I have simplified it for the simple reason i know exactly what to expect from each and usually on the paint i'm working with at the time. The FG400 was a natural progression when i ran out of the old Menz Power Gloss supply. In my experience, i have found FG400 to be a significant improvement over the older PG. I purchased a large quantity of M105 and still have some left so staying loyal to that for expense reasons...hey, it works for me! I will be trying another Meg's cut compound to maybe replace it when i run out before committing to another bulk purchase but i get the results i like with 105 for now. I'm a rotary "cutter" btw so all this may not translate well for the pure DA users...maybe the Flex 3401 folks can relate. Being a rotary user for heavy and even medium correction i am impressed with how well FG400 finishes out. A big improvement over the old Power Gloss (IME). And M105? Simply effective and FAST!

I absolutely LOVE the LC hybrid pads. I read Mike's (DedicatedPerfection) review of the hybrids when he first posted it and gave them a shot as a result of how he explained them. Wow! Until some other pad technology or "improved" pad product rolls by i am done buying pads for a while.
 
I hear a lot of people saying they like menzerna fg400. Does menzerna contain polishing oils or is it water based? I used blackfire cutting compounds last time, not disappointed but i'm looking to try something different. Preferably something water based so I dont need to add a step to the process.
 
I like stuff that cuts great or cuts really well and finishes well.

I use Optimum Hyper Compound, HD Adapt, and HD Cut.
 
Optimum Hyper Compound was recently reformulated and is now very fast cutting while using very little product and not needing exceeding speeds on the machine.
 
HD cut and Megs 105 very comparable
Just started using Griots Garage Complete Compound and have been very happy with it using it with GG6. It may end up being my goto compound.
Have not used it but lets not forget the new HD AAT compound
 
VP Mark said:
I like stuff that cuts great or cuts really well and finishes well.

I use Optimum Hyper Compound, HD Adapt, and HD Cut.
Click to expand...

Chris Thomas said:
Optimum Hyper Compound was recently reformulated and is now very fast cutting while using very little product and not needing exceeding speeds on the machine.
Click to expand...

Two very useful pieces of information for those like me wanting to try a few more product lines.
 
Nowadays...
Before using "cutting compounds"...I like to take
into consideration, at the very least, the following:

-How much CC (clear-coat) is available
-How much CC can be removed without compromising
the paint-systems' durability; "UV protectors"; even
the paint warranty.


So:
With OEM paint-systems' top-coat film-layers
(usually CCs) being applied at thinner and
thinner thicknesses...

I find myself contented with only using
"cutting compounds" containing abrasives
graded at the aggressiveness-level of no more
than, say: Meguiar's Ultimate Compound.


Bob
 
Zubair said:
I find Meguiars Ultimate Compound to have the cut of a medium polish.

For compounding Menzerna FG400 and Rupes Zephir(smells like bubblegum).
Click to expand...

I wish the FG400 smelled as good as Zephyr!
 
Thanks VP Mark. Going to give the Hyper compound a try. I have the 3D cut and polish and really like them both. Just need a little more cutting on a few sections of our 05 black DeVille we just got. The paint was hammered, she must have run it thru a tunnel wash with brushes several times a week.
 
FUNX650 said:
Nowadays...
Before using "cutting compounds"...I like to take
into consideration, at the very least, the following:

-How much CC (clear-coat) is available
-How much CC can be removed without compromising
the paint-systems' durability; "UV protectors"; even
the paint warranty.


So:
With OEM paint-systems' top-coat film-layers
(usually CCs) being applied at thinner and
thinner thicknesses...

I find myself contented with only using
"cutting compounds" containing abrasives
graded at the aggressiveness-level of no more
than, say: Meguiar's Ultimate Compound.


Bob
Click to expand...

Well I have no way of knowing how much clear coat is available. I bought my car with 36k miles on it and with it being a 2003 model i'd say it sat in a garage for a long time. So thus i'm assuming theres some pretty good real estate to play with.
 
 
03Mustanger said:
I see you recommended a foam cutting pad. Is there an advantage in going with a wool cutting pad or vice versa?
Click to expand...

Wool will be more aggressive cut normally. It's a challenge to clean well on -the-fly. Leaves it's own defects to be removed. Wool on a rotary can burn through paint quick, it can also burn trim easily.

Foam won't cut quite as well, but can achieve the same results with more time. They clean easier on-the-fly. Can finish LSP ready. Foam can burn through paint too, but it's a bit more forgiving in that respect.

In essence, you can cut faster with wool, but you will need a second step. You cut slower with foam, but may get away with a single step. Your time spent could be a wash depending on your process and skill.

I reserve wool and a rotary for severely neglected finishes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top