Presta Products?

[Blaze5154]

I am looking for feedback on Presta Ultra cutting creme, Ultra polish and swirl remover. Are they a good product to use and how do they compare to other products? I would appreciate your imput and thank you in advance for your anticipated responses.

[TundraPower]

I am looking for feedback on Presta Ultra cutting creme, Ultra polish and swirl remover. Are they a good product to use and how do they compare to other products? I would appreciate your imput and thank you in advance for your anticipated responses.

Presta makes great products. I used them extensively a number of years ago. They are very popular in body shop environments. They seem to work much better with rotary polishers than DA polishers.

[Kaban]

I went to their booth at SEMA. I am very interested in their headlight UV clearcoat and it might be something to buy pretty soon.

[Skimmer0220]

I have some Presta Cutting...Cream or compound, I can't remember what it's called exactly but I used to wet sand and remove orange peal on my freshly painted vehicle, it does a great job I would recommend using it, that's the only product in there lineup that I have used

[Mike Phillips]

I am looking for feedback on Presta Ultra cutting creme, Ultra polish and swirl remover. Are they a good product to use and how do they compare to other products? I would appreciate your imput and thank you in advance for your anticipated responses.


Like mentioned, they have historically supplied products to the body shop industry and that means products for rotary buffers.

What type of tool do you plan on using with them?


Here's the deal, abrasive products intended for use with rotary buffers might work great with rotary buffers, (with the exception of holograms), but they don't always work great with dual action polishers of any type.

Usually, if I write an article on a topic it's because I get enough questions on the topic or enough phone calls, PM's messages etc from someone having problems with micro-marring when using some type of dual action polisher.

As I dig further into the problem the person is having what I find out is they are using products that say right on the label they are for use and/or recommended for use with a rotary buffer and they are using them with a dual action polisher.

As such... here you go....


For Use with Rotary Buffer Only - Read the Directions (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/70216-use-rotary-buffer-only-read-directions.html)



Here's the best advice I can think of for anyone buffing on a car they have NEVER buffed on before and/or using products, pads or tools they have never used before.


How To Do a Test Spot (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html)
(and why it's so important)



When it comes to working on thin, scratch-senstive clearcoats, don't skimp on compounds and polishes.

Clearcoats are Scratch-Sensitive (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/74234-clearcoats-scratch-sensitive.html)

:xyxthumbs:

[Billy B]

Back in early 2002 I used a product called Presta Strata 1000. It was a decent compound, but we did use it with a rotary buffer and a wool pad. Wow those were the days weren't they.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using AG Online

[Blaze5154]

First thank you for all that responded I appreciate the feedback.
To answer Mike's question. I have been using Presta products with my Makita 9227c and have had good success and results. I had switched to Presta products after having similar success with 3m products. Although I had success I was looking for information in regards to what was the best available buffing compounds products are and wanted to pick the brains of people who have more knowledge and experience. I am a hobbyist who is always looking to improve upon my knowledge and products I use to maintain my vehicles

[Mike Phillips]

Although I had success I was looking for information in regards to what was the best available buffing compounds products are and wanted to pick the brains of people who have more knowledge and experience.

I am a hobbyist who is always looking to improve upon my knowledge and products I use to maintain my vehicles




Here are some top shelf compounds that I personall use and have great luck with. Click the links and check out the write-ups...


Wolfgang Uber Compound - Anything, Rotary Buffer, Dual Action Polishers even by Hand

Lady in Red - 1986 Porsche - 4-Step Process (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/71247-lady-red-1986-porsche-4-step-process.html)

This is after ONLY Uber Compound

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2071/1986_Porsche_Mike_Phillips_031.jpg




Meguiar's M100 - WOOL PADS & Rotary Buffers

How to wet sand a car - Time Lapse Video (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/70997-how-wet-sand-car-video.html)




How to wet sand a car

How to wet sand a car



Meguiar's M101 - Foam Pads and Rotary Buffers

1999 Trans Am Extreme Makeover - Testing M101 Foam Cut Compound (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/57274-1999-trans-am-extreme-makeover-testing-m101-foam-cut-compound.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_004.jpg




Rupes Zephir Gloss Coarse Gel Compound

Rupes Polisher Time Lapse Video - 1955 Ford Crown Victoria (http://rupes%20polisher%20time%20lapse%20video%20-%201955%20ford%20crown%20victoria/)





RUPES 21ES Vs 15 ES time comparison Time lapse -...





Optimum Compound II

Bumblebee - Testing out the NEW DeWALT DWP849X (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/37831-bumblebee-testing-out-new-dewalt-dwp849x.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0032.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0046.jpg





Mothers Rubbing Compound

1959 Impala - Mothers Extreme Makeover! - Pictures & Comments! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/75884-1959-impala-mothers-extreme-makeover-pictures-comments.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2241/1959_Iimpala_Red_080.jpg

:)

[Blaze5154]

Thanks Mike I appreciate the info

[Blaze5154]

Thanks Mike I very much appreciate the info

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks Mike I very much appreciate the info


No problemo....

I have not used Presta products. I used to hang out on a body shop forum for painters where they really pushed these products hard and dissed anything else. Not sure what was up with that?

I say and I'm open to always trying out any brand of product and the real test is on black paint.

Compounds, or I should say, abrasive technology has really come a long way in the last few years and I mean A LONG WAY.

It used to be after you would compound paint you would remove the initial defects be they sanding marks after wetsanding or wear-n-tear like swirls and scratches, BUT the abrasive technology would leave the paint looking scoured and I mean SCOURED.

Back then this was normal and EVERYONE knew this was normal and that it was expected to do a second and even third follow up step which would be polishing with less aggressive polishes and typically foam pads.

But abrasive technology has changed.


Meguiar's started it with the introduction of M105 which uses SMAT or Super Micro Abrasive Technology. This is an AGGRESSIVE compound that will cut like a son of a gun and finish out like a fine polish.

I was at Meguiar's when it was introduced, I used the beta products, I was blown away by this product when it was first introduced and since then Meguiar's has introduced M101 and M100 which I think both of these products work better than M105.

But that's not the end of the story... after raising the bar for cut and finish quality, they forced everyone else to back into the laboratory and start working on catching up and I'm happy to say that it's this kind of competitiveness that brings about change and WE THE END USERS are the ones that benefit.

All of the products I listed above, Wolfgang, Rupes, Optimum, Mothers, and there are other brands too have introduced new and better abrasive technology in their compounds and polishes and now it's not just Meguiar's that offers an aggressive compound that finishes out like a fine cut polish but multiple companies.

And we all benefit.

My good friend Joe Fernandez who goes by Superior Shine on the forums is one heck of a pro detailer and also a very nice guy. He'll also be our guest at Detail Fest again this year. That's saying something.

I've known Joe for years and one time he posted something that goes like this,



"It used to be you actually had to be good at this, that is you had to have some skill and experience to make paint look good... now anyone can do"


And I agree with Joe as I used to detail cars back when all we had were caveman compounds that scoured the paint. Technology as come a LONG way since those days. Heck I teach people all the time how to use rotary buffers and dual action polishers that have NEVER used a machine before and their first time out they are getting professional results and a big part of the reason for this is the improvements in abrasive technology, pad technology and tool technology.


Back to you original question...

I have not used Presta products so I don't know if they use good abrasive technology are if they are up to date and can compete head to head with the products I listed above. But the best test and the truest test is always on black paint.

I'm teaching two classes at Detail Fest, one is how to use the Flex 3401 and the other is how to use the rotary buffer and I'm using a black Mercedes-Benz with a Ceramiclear finish for my demonstrations and Wolfgang Uber Compound for the demo.

I am 100% confident of the tools, pads and products to leave the class impressed.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

Heck I teach people all the time how to use rotary buffers and dual action polishers that have NEVER used a machine before and their first time out they are getting professional results and a big part of the reason for this is the improvements in abrasive technology, pad technology and tool technology.





To make the above point and because just a few minutes ago I took the time to compile an answer and example of the above in a different thread, here's what I wrote...


From this sign-up thread where local car guys are invited to Autogeek to learn how to detail on cool cars.


Sign-up: 1966 Nova Pro Touring - Thursday, March 27th 2014 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/sign-up-project-cars-clinics/77125-sign-up-1966-nova-pro-touring-thursday-march-27th-2014-a.html)

When asked if a newbie, or a person "new to car detailing" could join us, here's what I wrote...



As far as Newbies go...


We were all newbies at one time including me and any other person that is considers a pro detailer. And we ENCOURAGE people new to car detailing to join us.

Just last week I had three brand new people join us that had never machine polished a car before in their life and they were able to learn how to machine polish on a VERY cool car....

1967 Mustang GTA Fastback - Pictures & Comments Threads (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/76807-1967-mustang-gta-fastback-pictures-comments-thread.html)


Here's Al, Bill's buddy using the Porter Cable 7424XP for the very first time.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2290/1967_Mustang_Fastback_Autogeek_Mike_Phillips_045.j pg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2290/1967_Mustang_Fastback_Autogeek_Mike_Phillips_022.j pg





The week before I had two people brand new to machine polishing and they were able to learn on my buddy Jay's Corvette....


1990 Corvette - Extreme Makeover Pictures & Process (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/76419-1990-corvette-extreme-makeover-pictures-process.html)


This is Al, he's a BMW owner and BMW club member and this is his first time using a machine to polish paint and look what he's doing? He's taking a rotary buffer with a wool pad and a compound to a Corvette....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2287/1990_Corvette_Autogeek_Mike_Phillips_036.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2287/1990_Corvette_Autogeek_Mike_Phillips_011.jpg





And the week before I had 2 people BRAND NEW to machine polishing and they were able to learn on a 1959 Impala... how cool is that?

1959 Impala - Mothers Extreme Makeover! - Pictures & Comments! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/75884-1959-impala-mothers-extreme-makeover-pictures-comments.html)



Ray
Ray works here at Autogeek in the warehouse and has been dying to get out to the garage for one of our Thursday night projects. Turns out Ray's pretty good at machine buffing!

If you look carefully, Ray is getting ready to pick up a bead of product using the 10 @ 10 Technique. Kind of looks like the 0 at 10 Technique in this picture and if it is he's going to sling splatter all over the place but that's okay. We've all done this before and doing things the wrong way is part of how you learn to do them the right way.

Later, Ray's going to help us cut the oxidation off the 1965 Ford and by then he was picking up his bead of product like a Pro.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2241/1959_Iimpala_Red_035.jpg



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2241/1959_Iimpala_Red_0841.jpg





And a huge part of why people coming to Autogeek with ZERO experience on how to do any type of car detailing are able to get pro results their first time has to do with the quality of products now available on the market.


:)

[Blaze5154]

Mike, I once again wanted to thank you for taking time out of your busy day to share information with me. I greatly appreciate it as your knowledge, experience and skill set is unmatched. I will be purchasing a Flex 3401 and some Wolfgang Uber and FP with my next AG purchase.
Its funny you mentioned that the true test would be on black paint as I share the same sentiment. I own a black honda civic for partially that reason to serve as a test dummy and practice tool (the other part of that reason is DIESEL in Connecticut is $4.46 a gallon).
I definitely would like to attend one of your classes/boot camps so this will be a must do for me in the future. I am looking for an excuse to get out of Connecticut's crappy winter weather so I if you need a volunteer assistant for a month or so please let me know..

[Blaze5154]

I am looking for an excuse to get out of Connecticut's crappy winter weather so I if you need a volunteer assistant for a month or so please let me know..
sarcasm does not always come through via typed communication