Meguiars Ultimate Compound vs M105

**05RLS2** · 07-18-2011, 08:36 PM

For the past 3 or so years that I have been polishing, I have been using the Danase Swril Abolishers II and I (no longer available) and these have usually all I have needed to correct and are really easy to use. I've come to a point where I need something stronger to remove some tough water etchings, I believe the SA products just removed some and masked the rest. I'm not an expert polisher by any means, so I have been reading what I can about using M105. All I can say with all of the techniques and methods out there, along with the different kinds of pads use and priming methods, it casn be really intimidating. I don't really feel like experimenting and polishing my car many times to get corrected and haze free results, so I have been looking at Meguiars Ultimate Compound since it is supposed to be not as harsh than 105, yet agressive, and is supposedly easier to use with less hazing.

What kind of correction results can be done with Ultimate Compound? I am working with a newer GM vehicle which is supposeldy has a harder finish (no not a Vette either in case thiers is harder yet)

Is it faily easy to use, or actually easier to use than 105, for someone who doesn't use a 7424 on a regular basis?

After using Ultimate Compound, do I need to go to a like a step II swirl remover then go to a step I swril remover/finishing polish, or can I usually just go straight to a finishing polish?

Does it use the SMAT technology like 105?

Also, do 5.5 pads work well with it? If so, which work better the LC CCS or flats, or is it just a matter of preference? I am assuming I should use orange pads with it, right?

Like I said I am not familiar with this product, but if you feel that there is something that is easy for most anyone to get the hang of using, yet have good cutting power, let me know. I am open to suggestions. Thanks

**Setec Astronomy** · 07-18-2011, 08:47 PM

I have not used UC but it is supposed to be more user-friendly with a bit less cut than 105.

A couple other ideas. The Meg's Microfiber DA polishing system is designed to give you a lot of the aggressiveness of 105 without a lot of the other problems. Also, as an alternative to UC, the new Optimum Compound (paste) is supposed to have a lot better workability than 105 with a bit less cut, and perhaps doesn't finish quite as well.

**S2K** · 07-18-2011, 09:05 PM

I'm like you basically a newbie to polishing. I have used both M105 and UC. M105 really has a big learning curve but produces great results. The first time I used it I had a lot of problems (I used way too much) but after reading a lot more about it the second time was much better. I really like the UC, it has a very long working time and wipes off much easier but it doesn't have as much cut as M105. M205 is real easy to work with just as Megs Ultimate Polish is but again less cut. They both finish down nice to a LSP ready finish. They are all SMAT products.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-products.html

**bottlefed02** · 07-18-2011, 10:10 PM

Just used some UC this weekend. This is the result of 1 round with UC and a Lake Country Orange

before

after (you can even use it holding a baby!)

**richy** · 07-18-2011, 10:38 PM

I just posted a short instructional video about 105. let me know what you think.

**weavers** · 07-18-2011, 10:53 PM

I have used both UC and m105 quite a bit. Honestly I prefer UC, but its worth keeping a bottle of m105, may a 16oz, in your bag as well. If m105 and surbuff pads won't remove then you gotta wetsand or leave it. If you used m105 be sure to use the Kevin brown method(google it) by spray the pad water(i use onr) or add baby oil to the bottle, this equals a longer work time.

I almost always use UC. It has little to no dust. It will dust when its hot or with hot surface temperature. Still I have used it tons of times in direct sunlight and got great results, but you can only do 4-6 passses in small sections. When its cooler you can work in larger sections. What I love about UC is no dust, super long work time, its OTC and cheap, and corrects almost as well as m105. What I love about megs compound is the smat technology. the longer you work the compound works the less abrasive the product becomes so it finishes off better.

Most daily drivers I can do a 1 step with UC, ipa wipe down and wax. On nicer details or darker cars I will follow up with m205 or you can use ultimate polish.

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 07-18-2011, 11:16 PM

IME, M105 has a good amount more cut than UC.

**05RLS2** · 07-18-2011, 11:31 PM

From what I have read on 105, after a few passes on speed 5 or 6 on the PC, the polish works really quick and turns translucent. At this time usually meaning to check you work, and reactive with water if needed and work more.

With UC, is there a techniques work the best as far as pad priming, amount applying to the pad, and speeds, passes, and pressure on the PC? I know this can vary depending on what kind of finish is being worked on, hard or soft, but is there general rule of thub starting procedure? The thing that confuses me the most about 105 is the pad priming and amount to use, with the tons of articles out there and how tos on the detail forums showing different methods and techniques it just gets confusing.

Originally Posted by bottlefed02

Just used some UC this weekend. This is the result of 1 round with UC and a Lake Country Orange

That's just with one pass, or a left to right up and down pass? Either way, impressive. What size LC pad did you use, and was it a CCS or flat? It looks like it left a lot of hazing from the pic, what did you use after to finish off with?

Originally Posted by richy

I just posted a short instructional video about 105. let me know what you think.

Good and informative. Wish I has rotary and a clue how to use one, someday I guess

Originally Posted by weavers

I have used both UC and m105 quite a bit. Honestly I prefer UC, but its worth keeping a bottle of m105, may a 16oz, in your bag as well. If m105 and surbuff pads won't remove then you gotta wetsand or leave it. If you used m105 be sure to use the Kevin brown method(google it) by spray the pad water(i use onr) or add baby oil to the bottle, this equals a longer work time.

I almost always use UC. It has little to no dust. It will dust when its hot or with hot surface temperature. Still I have used it tons of times in direct sunlight and got great results, but you can only do 4-6 passses in small sections. When its cooler you can work in larger sections. What I love about UC is no dust, super long work time, its OTC and cheap, and corrects almost as well as m105. What I love about megs compound is the smat technology. the longer you work the compound works the less abrasive the product becomes so it finishes off better.

Most daily drivers I can do a 1 step with UC, ipa wipe down and wax. On nicer details or darker cars I will follow up with m205 or you can use ultimate polish.

Do you have to prime the pads similar to the KBM 105 method with UC by working it into the pads, or can you just apply a few drops directly to the pad? Do you need to mist the pad with ONR or water before applying UC?

Whic pads do you find to work the best with 205 on darker vehicles?

**weavers** · 07-19-2011, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by 05RLS2

Do you have to prime the pads similar to the KBM 105 method with UC by working it into the pads, or can you just apply a few drops directly to the pad? Do you need to mist the pad with ONR or water before applying UC?

Whic pads do you find to work the best with 205 on darker vehicles?

I use 5.5" ultra thin hydro pads and 5.5" surbuff pads with a griots garage DA. I may prime if its hot. Its always best to prime. Sometimes I just forget and get to work without priming. I use 3 pea size drops on my pads. With UC you don' need to sprtiz the pad with water or onr. It has a long working time.

for m205 I use the hydro tangerine pad with 5-10lbs of preasure. If I am doing a high end car or if the clear coat is very soft then maybe use m205 with a wax pad so only the polish is working. I also have LC CCS fine green pad I sometimes pair with klearknote pink moose glaze. Its a glaze with a mild polish. This is my least agressive step, well maybe glaze and a wax pad...To be honest I almost never get to use this combo. I tend to do daily drivers and some bmws and mercedes. Never any lambos and few people are willing to pay for 3-5step corrections.

Either way always do some test strips. I take a few strips of tape on the hood and work least aggressive to more aggressive till I am happy with results and also work down. so one panel for m205 and tango pad. one for cyan blue and UC. if i am not happy then surbuff and UC. take a look, then try the m205 polish on that strip.

As to what pad is best. I have only tried lake country and surbuff pads. But find a system and stick with it. I have wasted money on CCS pads that I don't use. like yellow, purple wool, fine green, 6.5" gold wax pad. I like the hydro pads and they work well for me. Good technique and knowledge and experience are the keys.

**Flannigan** · 07-19-2011, 06:28 AM

It really depends on how you paint reacts with each polish. I keep both on hand since they both have strengths and weaknesses.

If you have paint that is on the softer side UC is great because it can pretty much act like a one step by removing most, if not all of, the swirls and leaving an LSP ready surface. It has a nice long work time, and will not dust anywhere near as much as M105. Also I have never seen it get nasty when used in the sun or a humid environment. I love M105, but it can be a pain sometimes.

I know I ##### these pictures out, but here is what UC did for me on TSX I did this year.

As to M105 it does have a noticeably higher level of cut. If your paint is on the harder side, or you just have really bad defects M105 will probably be your best bet. It really isn't as hard to use as people say, but it does have a learning curve. I have never seen M105 finish down LSP ready, so you would have to follow it up with a medium polish like M205 or Menzerna 106fa. depending on what you are going for (total correction or just a quick one step) that may affect your choice.

All in all I think both are great products, and both have a spot on my shelf. I really don't think that you should let M105's reputation prevent you from using it. Doing a few tests on your own vehicle isn't going to somehow make all the paint fall off. Hope that helps!