Deep Gloss Auto Salon:Optimum Compound II vs M105

M105 has garnered many fans and rightfully so due to the great cut and quick work time which for some is a blessing and others a curse.

While only some have an issue with the relatively short work cycle we all experience the dust that is a byproduct of the buffing liquid. In my opinion it was just par for the course, after all, it is a compound, and one that is a great asset to any detailers arsenal.

It has been quite sometime since I’ve used Optimum buffing liquids. When I first used them I did not care for them. At the time my main machine of choice was the random orbital and the Optimum buffing liquids at that time simply didn’t “cut” it for me (literally and figuratively).

In comes the new trio of Optimum buffing liquids, touting improved cut (some have said Optimum Compound II is along the lines of M105) with low/no dusting – consider me interested.

So on with the comparison / testing - Nicely swirled up black paintwork – perfect test bed.

Note: Each “after” pictured is after one section pass




As you will see in the above pics, there is slight micro marring left over from the compounding step. Considering the severity of the defects removed one would expect some residual micro marring. This can be easily cleaned up with a medium polishing step.




Again, slight micro marring left over – just a little but more residual micro marring as compared to the OCII. But, again one would expect this from a compound capable of removing the defects shown and this can be easily cleaned up with a medium polishing step.

Now that we have established a negligible delta in residual micro marring post compounding when using the same liquid/pad/machine combination, let’s take a look at the afters one after the other to better compare the correction achieved.




As shown above:

• The correction ability of these two buffing compounds is very comparable. I would not say the difference in cut is noticeable on this paintwork.

• The post compounding micro marring is slightly less with the OCII. With that said, both will require a medium polishing step to remove this micro marring.



Below are the results when these same two buffing liquids are paired with the Flex 3401 machine and cyan Hydro Tech LC pad.




The OCII when paired with the hydro pad and Flex machine left considerably more micro marring with only a negligible increase in correction when compared to the OCII/GG/Megs MF disc combo




Once again, the amount of correction achieved when the only difference is the buffing liquid (OCII vs. M105) is negligible. The post compounding micro marring is just slightly less with the OCII but again, considering a follow up step will be needed with either liquid this should not be a deal breaker.

Next I will show show the afters one after the other with each pad/liquid/machine combination:






Summary:

Both buffing liquids have comparable cut and only a slight edge in the severity of post compounding micro marring goes to OCII.

The main differentiators between these two buffing liquids are:

• Dust: OCII produces little to no dust as compared to M105 that produces a considerable amount of dust
• Work time: M105 has a relatively short working cycle while OCII has a long cycle time before the lubricants are exhausted. This is neither a pro nor a con for either and is really more of what the individual or the paintwork type prefers.

 

Thanks for sharing your findings!

 

This is an awesome review. I keep looking at cost of OHC when I should be looking at the benefit of a lot less dust and time saved in cleanup.

Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

 

My pleasure

Thanks and I am glad you found it informative....

Another thing to keep in mind is that you also use less product with OHC.

 

Man I wish I would seen this before I ordered 32oz of m105. I do hate the dusting and I will be looking at ohc when the megs is almost done

 

I have been looking at re trying the new formulated Optimum polishes. I like M105 and Meg D300 a lot, I like how M105 can also be used with polishing and finishing pads and on a lot paint can be used to compound and finish. I read an article by Todd Helme and I have used what he spoke about and it works great

 

Finally a good comparison between M105 / OCII using MF and foam pads.

Did you see any problems cleaning the MF pads with either M105 or OCII. If Optimum polishes are MF pad friendly, then one may have a medium polish option with Optimum (the save the clearcoat movement) over just the Meg's D300 or M105 product.

 

This comparison used our Compound II (paste), not our Hyper Compound (spray). MSRP for the paste are 8oz-$10.99, 32oz-$32.99, and 128oz-$129.99.

 

I'm a bit confused, hopefully Jason can clarify. Jason, in this review you meant Optimum Hyper Compound spray, right? Because as Chris pointed out, Optimum Compound II is an entirely different product.

 

Sorry for any confusion :doh:- this test was conducted using Optimum Compound II (paste)

 

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Thanks Al, glad you found it informative.

Correct

 

Oh..but I thought this was the new OC based upon hyper spray technology (non-diminishing).

I really would love to see Optimum show how their new polishes work with DA MF with a large range of correction (high, medium, finish) and not just the 2 options Meg's provides.

I am looking for something like Menz.PF for the MF DA and Optimum seems closest to doing it if someone could prove it.

 

The OCII used here is the new liquid using SMAT abrasives.

 

Nice review Jason. Thanks for taking the time.

 

Thank you, we need more.

 

Thanks for the review Jason.

Chris ... is this new version out? I have Hyper Compound and I love how it works, but hate the sprayer. Is this the same Compound II Phil @ DD sells?

 

They have only been out for a couple of months...I'm not sure if Phil has the new formulas in but they are available from the warehouse if you want to recommend he stock them. Send me your address and I will send you an updated sprayer head for the Hyper.

 

How does the OCII work out with the 3401 and Uber pads? Anyone use them with the polish?