3M and how many times can I do it

[peiqinglong]

Well I am working on my car...trying to remove the swirls and hazing from it. I am curious how many times can I use the 3m Finesse It-2? Like doesn't it remove a light layer of your clear coat and if you keep using it, won't it eventually strip off all your clear coat? THanks for any help!



Richard

 

[m5m3]

Wondered this also. Posted a question on this re 3M SMR - like how many time would people think is safe to use. Do not think I got any concensious. Any one out there with experiance of these products, it would put my mind at rest if I knew just how many times is safe

 

[BradE]

That question is really impossible to answer, there are too many variables involved. If you are using the product by hand, or even with a PC for that matter it would take quite a bit of polishing to go through the clear. But, it's impossible to give it an exact number.

 

[peiqinglong]

Okay...perhaps the question should be modified for a better response. How's this: How many times have you used 3M Finesse-It II on a single car at any given time?

 

[VetteToVair]

it seems to me like you would only have to do it once or twice. after that, just be careful not to put swirls on your car in the future. sure some will always come, but never as bad as before.

 

[RobD]

You may want to consider a paint thickness gauge. I don't know how accurate they are, but they should allow you to chart a difference. At least you'll know approximately where you started and when there's a significant change in paint thickness after polishing. I know Griot's used to sell them, but I'm not sure if they still do.

 

[JasonC8301]

a ETG that works well and reads from a steel substrate costs $500+ dollars.



today I detailed a 1997 BMW 5 series in dakr blue, the car was in good sahpe, only 50K, but swirls galore. I tried a medium cut clear coat compound (Valugars clear coat compound, like the 3M PI Medium cut RC) with Pc and lambswool polishing pad. Did it two times, then moved to 3M FI II with foam cutting pad. 50% of the swirls were gone. Total time, one hour, put down the PC, dawn wash, and ZFx + Z-5 X3 with ZFX and Z-6 inbetween.



The owner can live with swirls, as long as the car is shiny, but I can't spend 4 hours polishing the car with the PC to get it decent, too many automatic car washes and dealer washes, need a rotary to get it back. I will get this finish perfect, just not now. I'm going to invest in a DeWalt next year (Watch out NY d, getting license, car, and PrepExcellence school, you'll be paying me the big bucks!.)