Circa40
New member
- Jul 29, 2012
- 419
- 0
I finally had a chance to use this product and directly compare it to Menzerna FG400 and M105 (from memory).
I am sure anyone reading this review has at lease read something about it here on AGO. This is the latest Megs compound that supposedly cuts like a compound but finishes nearly LSP ready. The benefits are less buffing and a real time saver.
Here is its full description on the AG store: Meguiars M101 Foam Cut Compound, meguiars compound, m101 compound, meguiars foam cut compound
Vehicle test subject:
1995 Toyota Tercel.
This vehicle likely has never seen wax or polish in the last 5 years at least. I do apologize that I forgot to take any before pics, but took some compelling "50/50" shots. This car appears to have been painted several times in the past with different levels of quality. The rear of this car seems to have been rear ended in the past and was painted very very cheaply. There are also tons of other defects (acid rain/chemical/bird soil etching and some very deep scratches) that M101 can probably remove, I don't feel comfortable removing that much clear coat.
Pre polishing:
- Washed with Dawn soap with my LC blue sponge
- Chem Guys Clay Mitt with Luber
- Iron-X
Tools used:
Flex 3401
Orange CCS 6" pads
Thoughts on M101:
The first thing that I did notice is that M101 cuts very quickly. I was able to correct most of the moderate defects with 2 heavy passes and 1 light pass. Overall, twice as quick as M105 and at least three times as quick as FG400.
This is after 2 heavy and 1 light pass.
50/50. Notice the paint condition in the tape line.
Deep scratches on the fender:
Only the deepest scratches remain:
50/50 of the trunk lid. Again, this area was repainted and it was done pretty badly (poor paint quality).
FG400/tape line/M101 on the trunk lid (everything else being equal)
Picture out in the sun (M101 only).
____________________________________________________
Pros/Cons
Pros:
-Near LSP ready. I would go out on a limb and say that it might be LSP ready on lighter colors. But very likely you'll have to use M205 or a similar polish on darker colors. Pad choice and technique are obviously important here.
- Quick! I think pros would appreciate the quality and quantity of cut in a fraction of the time when compared to other harsh compounds.
Cons:
- I was a bit disappointed in the working time of M101. Although the pad stays moist longer then M105, I would prefer it to be a bit longer. I had to spritz a little water on my pad when I was working on deeper scratches.
-Dust! Unless Im doing something wrong, there is quite a bit of dust. I normally prime a clean fresh pad before polishing and apply 2~3 pea sized dots of product on the pad after every panel. I brush and clean the pad after every panel as well - just like M105/205.
Dust residue from the pads:
Final thoughts:
Meguiar's has formulated a killer compound that will remove just about anything thrown at it. Is it better then FG400? Hard to say, they both claim to remove the same 1200 grit sanding marks but when using these chemicals, technique vary (SMAT VS. DAT) . Is it better then M105? Yes. I think M101 should eventually replace it. It does everything M105 does, but cuts faster, slightly less dusty and finishes much better. Is it worth twice the price as M105? It really depends on how much time you want to devote into polishing. Im going to echo what I said above: Its really a time saver to polish away deep defects and finish nearly LSP ready. That alone should be worth the price difference to most.
I am sure anyone reading this review has at lease read something about it here on AGO. This is the latest Megs compound that supposedly cuts like a compound but finishes nearly LSP ready. The benefits are less buffing and a real time saver.
Here is its full description on the AG store: Meguiars M101 Foam Cut Compound, meguiars compound, m101 compound, meguiars foam cut compound
Vehicle test subject:
1995 Toyota Tercel.
This vehicle likely has never seen wax or polish in the last 5 years at least. I do apologize that I forgot to take any before pics, but took some compelling "50/50" shots. This car appears to have been painted several times in the past with different levels of quality. The rear of this car seems to have been rear ended in the past and was painted very very cheaply. There are also tons of other defects (acid rain/chemical/bird soil etching and some very deep scratches) that M101 can probably remove, I don't feel comfortable removing that much clear coat.
Pre polishing:
- Washed with Dawn soap with my LC blue sponge
- Chem Guys Clay Mitt with Luber
- Iron-X
Tools used:
Flex 3401
Orange CCS 6" pads
Thoughts on M101:
The first thing that I did notice is that M101 cuts very quickly. I was able to correct most of the moderate defects with 2 heavy passes and 1 light pass. Overall, twice as quick as M105 and at least three times as quick as FG400.
This is after 2 heavy and 1 light pass.
50/50. Notice the paint condition in the tape line.
Deep scratches on the fender:
Only the deepest scratches remain:
50/50 of the trunk lid. Again, this area was repainted and it was done pretty badly (poor paint quality).
FG400/tape line/M101 on the trunk lid (everything else being equal)
Picture out in the sun (M101 only).
____________________________________________________
Pros/Cons
Pros:
-Near LSP ready. I would go out on a limb and say that it might be LSP ready on lighter colors. But very likely you'll have to use M205 or a similar polish on darker colors. Pad choice and technique are obviously important here.
- Quick! I think pros would appreciate the quality and quantity of cut in a fraction of the time when compared to other harsh compounds.
Cons:
- I was a bit disappointed in the working time of M101. Although the pad stays moist longer then M105, I would prefer it to be a bit longer. I had to spritz a little water on my pad when I was working on deeper scratches.
-Dust! Unless Im doing something wrong, there is quite a bit of dust. I normally prime a clean fresh pad before polishing and apply 2~3 pea sized dots of product on the pad after every panel. I brush and clean the pad after every panel as well - just like M105/205.
Dust residue from the pads:
Final thoughts:
Meguiar's has formulated a killer compound that will remove just about anything thrown at it. Is it better then FG400? Hard to say, they both claim to remove the same 1200 grit sanding marks but when using these chemicals, technique vary (SMAT VS. DAT) . Is it better then M105? Yes. I think M101 should eventually replace it. It does everything M105 does, but cuts faster, slightly less dusty and finishes much better. Is it worth twice the price as M105? It really depends on how much time you want to devote into polishing. Im going to echo what I said above: Its really a time saver to polish away deep defects and finish nearly LSP ready. That alone should be worth the price difference to most.
To be honest.... I'm afraid to use that much cut all at once.
