Xmt4

[:::houseofbunny:::]

How do you measure aggressiveness? I'm new here, please bare with me.

I used XMT4 today for the first time and was surprised at how well it finished down. Even on my dark paint, I could swear I could go straight to a LSP. It was evening so no sun to really inspect the paint, but I had expected to see obvious hazing. Used an orange LC pad, btw.

I've been reading other reviews on this product and they say it's suppose to be aggressive. Maybe the way it finishes is just deceiving me, but it seems more gentle than I imagined it would be. It left the paint clearer and deeper than XMT3, which always finishes off nice for me.

So, I'm guessing the product that levels better has the greater cutting power. That's logical. But I'm curious, how much paint is XMT4 really taking off? It doesn't seem that aggressive to me. In other words, stop me before I do something really stupid!

 

[ltoman]

No, xmt 4 is not going to remove your paint if used properly with a pc! What are you using?
You can always get a paint gauge, but I heard tell they are expensive.
I really think you can polish a couple of times a year and you will be fine.
Others, chime in here....

 

[:::houseofbunny:::]

I used the UDM on level 5. The marring I am after isn't very deep, i.e., can't catch a nail on them. After a couple passes with a white pad, I still wasn't happy. Stepped it up to orange and looks pretty good, but still needs work. So I am feeling pretty comfortable with using #4 and am wondering just how wary I should be. Maybe I am taking off more paint then I realize??

 

[ltoman]

I used the UDM on level 5. The marring I am after isn't very deep, i.e., can't catch a nail on them. After a couple passes with a white pad, I still wasn't happy. Stepped it up to orange and looks pretty good, but still needs work. So I am feeling pretty comfortable with using #4 and am wondering just how wary I should be. Maybe I am taking off more paint then I realize??

I really, really don't think you are taking off a lot of paint.
Let some of the experts jump in here, but they are designed not to be easily .... what's the word - not to be used to damage a car without a real effort. You get the idea.
I have worked on twp new cars and several older, and learned without damaging a one. Starting off lower and working your way up ( on abrasiveness) as needed is a good idea - you decide. Err on the side of caution if you are worried - that is the strong stuff you are using.

Now I don't have a UDM, but I hear they are excellent. Why don't you step down to a lower level finishing polish now? With like a white pad and see if that gives you an enhanced result? I would not just use #4 and stop. You want the finer polish next. It makes a lot of difference.

Hope this helps a little.....:buffing:

 

[:::houseofbunny:::]

So far I've used PB's SSR1, XMT3, and now this one, XMT4, in that order. In each case I've started with a white pad, and with the XMT products bumped up to orange. With #3 I spent a good couple of hours on the hood making multiple passes. So I've been pretty careful thus far and that may be contributing to my overblown sense of confidence with #4.

But I think you are right Itoman, I should go ahead and step down again. If only to see where I am really at. In the morning I will be able to see the paint and assess it better.

 

[ltoman]

Make sure you are breaking down the product first every time - I think you mentioned that in your first post - prime the pad a tad but don't soak it because that waters down the polish, and remember pressure also affects your result.
Menzerna is the top notch stuff, but so is its price. Black is the hardest color to correct too - and that car has been around a while. My son's has 99k miles on it. (lol) May I ask how many miles is on your Civic?
LT

 

[:::houseofbunny:::]

Okay got a good look at the paint. Definite marring, but looks like it could be from a MF that should have been demoted. The marrs are in a long sweeping pattern consistent with the way a wiped off residue. Hmmm.