Cutting compounds

[03Mustanger]

Searched for this topic and couldnt find any good results. What are the best or your favorite cutting compounds? As well with what pads do you use with them?Feed back please

[ch35iM]

Meguiars ultimate compound with a megs DA cutting pad on obviously a DA. Unless your finish is really bad this is excellent and easy to use on any car. Follow up with ultimate polish and a Meg's polishing pad for added gloss (UC never leaves any marring behind unless you practice bad technique).

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

Meguiars M100, M105 & D300
Americana Amerirocks

Meguiars Microfiber cutting & Burgundy cutting discs
CarPro Flash pads
Foamed wool
Orange foam

These are my cutting options. Test spot dictates combo.

[dlc95]

Meguiar's:
Ultimate Compound
M86
M105
M100
D300

Menzerna:
FG400

Rupes:
Zephyr

Pads
Green Hex Logic
Lake Country Cyan Hydrotech
Rupes Blue Foam
Rupes Blue Microfiber

[Zubair]

I find Meguiars Ultimate Compound to have the cut of a medium polish.

For compounding Menzerna FG400 and Rupes Zephir(smells like bubblegum).

[Paul A.]

After trying many different products i have simplified my hard cutting to 2 products: Menzerna FG400 or Meg's 105. I vary the cut a bit by varying pad choice but generally use a LC Hybrid Orange pad or a purple foamed wool. I have simplified it for the simple reason i know exactly what to expect from each and usually on the paint i'm working with at the time. The FG400 was a natural progression when i ran out of the old Menz Power Gloss supply. In my experience, i have found FG400 to be a significant improvement over the older PG. I purchased a large quantity of M105 and still have some left so staying loyal to that for expense reasons...hey, it works for me! I will be trying another Meg's cut compound to maybe replace it when i run out before committing to another bulk purchase but i get the results i like with 105 for now. I'm a rotary "cutter" btw so all this may not translate well for the pure DA users...maybe the Flex 3401 folks can relate. Being a rotary user for heavy and even medium correction i am impressed with how well FG400 finishes out. A big improvement over the old Power Gloss (IME). And M105? Simply effective and FAST!

I absolutely LOVE the LC hybrid pads. I read Mike's (DedicatedPerfection) review of the hybrids when he first posted it and gave them a shot as a result of how he explained them. Wow! Until some other pad technology or "improved" pad product rolls by i am done buying pads for a while.

[03Mustanger]

I hear a lot of people saying they like menzerna fg400. Does menzerna contain polishing oils or is it water based? I used blackfire cutting compounds last time, not disappointed but i'm looking to try something different. Preferably something water based so I dont need to add a step to the process.

[VP Mark]

I like stuff that cuts great or cuts really well and finishes well.

I use Optimum Hyper Compound, HD Adapt, and HD Cut.

[Chris Thomas]

Optimum Hyper Compound was recently reformulated and is now very fast cutting while using very little product and not needing exceeding speeds on the machine.

[StephenK]

HD cut and Megs 105 very comparable
Just started using Griots Garage Complete Compound and have been very happy with it using it with GG6. It may end up being my goto compound.
Have not used it but lets not forget the new HD AAT compound

[Hoytman]

I like stuff that cuts great or cuts really well and finishes well.

I use Optimum Hyper Compound, HD Adapt, and HD Cut.


Optimum Hyper Compound was recently reformulated and is now very fast cutting while using very little product and not needing exceeding speeds on the machine.

Two very useful pieces of information for those like me wanting to try a few more product lines.

[mikejames]

I like stuff that cuts great or cuts really well and finishes well.

I use Optimum Hyper Compound, HD Adapt, and HD Cut.


Which has more cut the new Optimum Hyper Compound, or HD Cut?

[Mizzoutiger]

Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-fast-gloss.html) or Wolfgang Uber Compound, car polish, polishing compound (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-uber-compound.html) (both made by Menzerna) with 5 Inch Hybrid Power Finish Orange Pad (Single) (http://www.autogeek.net/lc-hyb-24500.html) with Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html) & FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-xc3401-backing-plates.html) using Mike@DedicatedPerfection's technique http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-university/77155-my-technique-concerning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html

[VP Mark]

Hyper compound, but Cut finishes much better.

[FUNX650]

Nowadays...
Before using "cutting compounds"...I like to take
into consideration, at the very least, the following:

-How much CC (clear-coat) is available
-How much CC can be removed without compromising
the paint-systems' durability; "UV protectors"; even
the paint warranty.


So:
With OEM paint-systems' top-coat film-layers
(usually CCs) being applied at thinner and
thinner thicknesses...

I find myself contented with only using
"cutting compounds" containing abrasives
graded at the aggressiveness-level of no more
than, say: Meguiar's Ultimate Compound.


Bob