Car Paint restoration step #2 : Meguiars Ultimate Compound Review

[alfierenadhie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckpEARZzre8

[Swanp Gas]

Thanks for the video!

Did you have any problems removing the product?

I have a bottle of Meg's Ultimate compound in my garage that I have been debating using over some of the more expensive alternatives.

Maybe someone could explain the price differences. For instance, 15.2 oz of Meg's UC costs $11.99 while 8 oz of Meg's 105 is $12.99 and 8 oz of McKee's 37 Fast Compound goes for $19.99.

Is this a case of you get what you pay for?

[TTQ B4U]

Did you have any problems removing the product? I have a bottle of Meg's Ultimate compound in my garage that I have been debating using over some of the more expensive alternatives.

Do it. Megs UC and UP are great products and remove easily.

[VISITOR]

it looks like you're not working the product in long enough. btw, megs uc is a sleeper product a great one at that...

[2011 Kona Blue]

it looks like you're not working the product in long enough. btw, megs uc is a sleeper product a great one at that...

In your opinion or anyone's opinions here , do you think Meguiar's Ultimate Compound is better than HD adapt?

[alfierenadhie]

it looks like you're not working the product in long enough. btw, megs uc is a sleeper product a great one at that...

hi, the UC is great, it just show some hazing because its really hot here in asia, even in a shade.. but it's gone after followed up with ultimate polish.. :)

[SirTanon]

it looks like you're not working the product in long enough. btw, megs uc is a sleeper product a great one at that...

This was my observation as well. I've used Megs UC myself on my 2010 Fusion, and I find it to be an amazing product, but it really does support a longer work time than it appears you're using in that video.

[dlc95]

Grossly underrated product. Same with the Polish. They're some of my favorite to use.

[alfierenadhie]

Grossly underrated product. Same with the Polish. They're some of my favorite to use.

agree :)

[kevin_1981]

I agree. I only use Ultimate Compound and Polish, since I dont do this for money. It's so easy to use, and the working time is incredible. Id like to try HD Adapt, after trying HD Speed for the first time last week.

[DasBurninator]

it looks like you're not working the product in long enough. btw, megs uc is a sleeper product a great one at that...

Agreed. Also looks like using too much product as well.

Side note, that DAP setup looks horrid to try and do an entire car with...

[2011 Kona Blue]

I agree. I only use Ultimate Compound and Polish, since I dont do this for money. It's so easy to use, and the working time is incredible. Id like to try HD Adapt, after trying HD Speed for the first time last week.

HD adapt has been discontinued so you better order some off of eBay before it's all gone

[NotoriouswithaG]

Big fan of UC. This one of of my latest details for a friend. Correcting the paint on his recently acquired D3 A8(2004). The previous owner neglected the car horribly (it was his company car) and it sat outside abandoned for the better part of 8 months this past winter. It's been a long process. Im still not done with the compound stage, so this was after 1-2 passes on each panel w/ orange pad.


Left pic was pre compound( wash, claybar, prep), right ewas after section pass/wipedown


5200552006

[Swanp Gas]

I finally got around to trying this product out and I am really impressed. My vehicle is a white 95 Bronco with some pretty bad scratches/scuffs.

I used Meg's UC with Buff and Shine Microfiber Cutting Pads and my PC 7424XP, that combo removed 80-90% of the defects. There were a couple of bad scuff marks on a door panel that Ultimate Compound couldn't remove even after multiple section passes, luckily for me a sample bottle of Meg's Scratch X 2.0 was sent with my last order(thanks Autogeek!) and that had no problem removing the marks. In hindsight I would have mixed the Scratch X with UC and I'm pretty sure that would have taken care of everything.

Now here is where Ultimate Compound really impressed me, after UC I followed up with Menzerna SF3500 and Buff and Shine Blue light polishing pads.

I first polished the hood and then realized I couldn't tell the difference between the SF3500 and the UC areas. I stopped after the hood and went looking for tips on how to use SF3500. Armed with more knowledge, I went back out and tried a test spot on a door panel with the same results. I still can't tell the difference between the two. Is this because I have white paint?

Whatever the reason I am extremely happy, my old truck has never looked better!

[TTQ B4U]

In your opinion or anyone's opinions here , do you think Meguiar's Ultimate Compound is better than HD adapt?


My experience with both is that UC does remove deeper more pronounced swirls better vs Adapt when used with the an Orange Pad. However the result with Adapt is much nicer and requires no additional polishing step. UC is also easier to wipe off/remove. Adapt hangs on a little more and the key with it is to not leave it sit but to wipe it off after each section.

I use UC on tougher say medium+ jobs but adapt is still my go-to if I need to attack mild to medium jobs. I used that terminiology to help provide a reference if that makes sense. Adapt really kills it on Medium + if it's on a softer Honda or Subi paint system. Those respond very well.


Here's what I would call a Medium+ to bad on Korean Paint:

BEFORE Meg's UC

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Minivan/Before_zps0uzveciz.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/Minivan/Before_zps0uzveciz.jpg.html)

AFTER Meg's UC (but not polished)

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Minivan/After_zpsftibmo2x.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/Minivan/After_zpsftibmo2x.jpg.html)


BEFORE HD Adapt on Japanese Paint: Same if not WORSE than the above:

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Detailing/DSC01080%20web_zpsrsy4lcgk.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/Misc%20Detailing/DSC01080%20web_zpsrsy4lcgk.jpg.html)

AFTER HD Adapt and where I just went right to a sealant: Not the best before/after but you get the point.

http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah133/PDQS4/Misc%20Detailing/DSC01104%20copy%20web_zpsgi1opawy.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/PDQS4/media/Misc%20Detailing/DSC01104%20copy%20web_zpsgi1opawy.jpg.html)