I see no improvement with M205

[Jemo]

I'm new to this and doing it for the first time. The guy that painted my truck is MIA and left me with a truck needing full colorsanding and buffing. With the advice of Mike, I bought a Flex 3401, some M105 and M205. I colorsanded with 1500 and 3000 until flat, used the 105 until all the scratches were gone (checked with a bright halogen light) and the parts I've done look very, very, very, very, very nice! Especially for someone who's never done this before.

I tried some M205 on a spot with a tangerine pad and I just don't see any difference. The M105 already made it look so nice, what is the purpose of the 205 when there are no more scratches? I'm putting the M105 on with speed 5 and some pressure going pretty slow and working a small area at a time. Is the M205 applied differently? What would you expect on a finish pre-worked with 105 that looks nearly perfect after using 205? Should I skip the 205?

Jeff

[SRTSean]

What color is the truck? Sometimes it's much harder to notice a difference from 105 - 205 on metallic paints, particularly silver. Otherwise 205 finishes much nicer and removes any marring left behind by 105, but I have seen examples where folks are able to finish lsp ready using just 105. Takes a pretty skilled hand to do that from what i've read.

[Jemo]

Sorry, it's black, single stage paint.

[david79z28]

I wouldn't skip any steps now. You have spent 3 years and built one hell of a nice looking truck.

You might just eliminate some marring that you haven't found yet.

Sometimes LSPs might magnify defects that aren't seen very well before their application.

I've skipped steps, applied a sealant only to strip it off because I could see defects when I got the vehicle out in the sun light...

[Jemo]

ok, I'll go ahead and put it on. Can someone remind me the speed? Do I put pressure on the pad like the 105 or let the machine glide across? How do you know when to move on if I can't see any change?

Jeff

[BigBrad]

I would go with an orange LCC pad with the 205, light pressure, that's what I do and it always turns out great.. Good luck!

[Jemo]

Do I stay at Speed 5 on the flex I'm using?

[BigBrad]

Speed 5 is fine for the first few passes, then might wanna go down 3 or 3 1/2 for your final pass..

[bl3ujay07]

What color is the truck? Sometimes it's much harder to notice a difference from 105 - 205 on metallic paints, particularly silver. Otherwise 205 finishes much nicer and removes any marring left behind by 105, but I have seen examples where folks are able to finish lsp ready using just 105. Takes a pretty skilled hand to do that from what i've read.

Very noticeable difference after m205 with Silver Metalic. Went from wow -> DAMN! Of course, i blocked off all windows and only had the halogen work lights on.

[timaishu]

I personally have not noticed a difference going from UC or 105 to UP or 205.

[bl3ujay07]

I notice the clarity and the shine when using the halogens as my object to compare. I know they say its hard to see a difference for light colored vehicles with po85rd. I too say a SMALL but a difference non the less after m205. It made it glow instead of just being really "reflective and clear" (reflective and clear was what i was aiming for). BUT, maybe it is because i have soft acura/honda paint.

[szjalo]

I personally have not noticed a difference going from UC or 105 to UP or 205.

agreed. M205 (and other similar products) is actually the chemical that I use the least. I barely face a situation that I feel I have to finished it down with M205. Most cases M105 or UC already get the job done and I see zero difference after using M205 on test spot.

I believe some very soft paint may need extra step with M205 or finishing polishes. But if the OP feel M105 already get the job done, prob. there is just no room of improvement left for 205.

just my 0.02

[Dr Oldz]

It is possible that 105 finished down very well as it is capale of doing. If you notice no difference, try 205 with a finishing pad such as a LC black, blue or red and make 3-4 passes on speed 4. You then MAY notice a difference in the gloss and overall clarity of your black paint.