How to a achieve a flawless, mirror finish using Meguiar's M105 and a DA polisher

[Legacy99]

Originally Posted by th0001

Adding water to M105 (on a DA using a foam pad) can cause some unwanted effects. The abrasives can clump together causing the finish quality to degrade.

Water can be used as a supplmental watering agent when used on a rotary polisher, and will increase the cutting power, but will sacrafice some finishing ability. If your goal is to finish with M105, then adding water would be counter productive. However if you need a more cutting power, a light mist to the panel (not the pad) will help out.

Thanks Todd for the reply. I will try your method, so should I put 205 on the shelf. Or should I use it the same way as 105 on softer paint or paint that is lightly marred.

[Legacy99]

Originally Posted by th0001

Adding water to M105 (on a DA using a foam pad) can cause some unwanted effects. The abrasives can clump together causing the finish quality to degrade.

Water can be used as a supplmental watering agent when used on a rotary polisher, and will increase the cutting power, but will sacrafice some finishing ability. If your goal is to finish with M105, then adding water would be counter productive. However if you need a more cutting power, a light mist to the panel (not the pad) will help out.

Thanks Todd for the reply. I will try your method, so should I put 205 on the shelf. Or should I use it the same way as 105 on softer paint or paint that is lightly marred?

[juliom2]

sometimes I get a thin residue of polish left on the paint that tends to be a little hard to remove; is that cause by improper placement of the pad?(polishing at an angle). Over saturated pad? or a hot surface?

[DirtsAway]

Thanks for the write up Todd. Quick question about priming, I've always been told to lightly moisen the pads before adding product to make the absorbtion more uniform. What are your thoughts? Is this why you are letting the pads sit for a few minutes?

[Legacy99]

Originally Posted by DirtsAway

Thanks for the write up Todd. Quick question about priming, I've always been told to lightly moisen the pads before adding product to make the absorbtion more uniform. What are your thoughts? Is this why you are letting the pads sit for a few minutes?

I'm not Todd, but he did say if you need to use H2O spray the panel and not the pad. I was wondering the same thing about letting the pad sit. I'll wait for Todd's answer. Sorry didn't mean to butt in, but was just bored so I thought I'd chime in with my 2 cents.

[th0001]

Originally Posted by juliom2

sometimes I get a thin residue of polish left on the paint that tends to be a little hard to remove; is that cause by improper placement of the pad?(polishing at an angle). Over saturated pad? or a hot surface?

Julio, mi amigo, por lo general tienen ese problema cuando tengo demasiado producto y el trabajo es demasiado largo. El líquido se evapora dejando tras de sí una gran cantidad de producto en polvo que se quedó atorado ..

Trate de usar esmalte de un poco menos. La humedad puede causar esto también.

[th0001]

Originally Posted by DirtsAway

Thanks for the write up Todd. Quick question about priming, I've always been told to lightly moisen the pads before adding product to make the absorbtion more uniform. What are your thoughts? Is this why you are letting the pads sit for a few minutes?

Meguar's recommends priming the products with M34 Final Inspection before applying your polish. Kevin Brown says no... We say something in the middle.

IF you are going to add a supplement wetting agent, do it prior to priming the pad with product. However for the best results (but also the most product usuage) you generally will want to prime the pad with product and stay away from additional product.

The reason to let the product sit on the pad for a couple minutes (during priming) is to ensure that it permeates the pours and is completely uniform. There is no wrong way so try which ever method works best for you.

[th0001]

Originally Posted by Legacy99

Thanks Todd for the reply. I will try your method, so should I put 205 on the shelf. Or should I use it the same way as 105 on softer paint or paint that is lightly marred.

I generally get the best results from M205 when using (for finishing) in a method similar to the one I have written. Prime pad, short work time, allow the pad to slowly spin (at low speed) over the paint. There are times when I just plain get a better finish from M105, even on softer paints, so there are to many variables where I feel comfortable making any concrete statements.

This isn't the only way I finish paint, but rather just another tool in the tool box