DA (Griot's) and 3M Finesse-It II

S

SFCR

New member
I am a definite car enthusiast and have enjoyed reading the information posted in this site. What are your thoughts regarding using 3M Finesse-It II? I normally use GG's 6" random orbital on a low speed. Also, what glaze do you recommend to fill any remaining imperfections in the clearcoat? I don't want to over-buff. The car is a 2010 Impala LTZ Summit White CC. I have no garage, but it has been well kept and cleaned on a weekly (7 days or so) basis. I've used GG's machine polishes, but they seem to be less aggressive. I've had excellent results with 3M Finesse-It (not the Finesse-It II) when used by hand in the old days.



Thank you for your advice.
 
SFCR said:
I am a definite car enthusiast and have enjoyed reading the information posted in this site. What are your thoughts regarding using 3M Finesse-It II?
Click to expand...



In a word, "YUCK!". Seriously. I tried that stuff years ago after some members here posted about it and I think it's lousy. Mediocre cut at best, worse-than-medoicre finish, not all that user friendly either. I literally threw it away and I hardly ever do that.



I normally use GG's 6" random orbital on a low speed.
Click to expand...



I'd crank it up to 6 for most correction, maybe dial it back to 4.5 for finishing depending on the product (but I seldom do that myself).



Also, what glaze do you recommend to fill any remaining imperfections in the clearcoat? I don't want to over-buff.
Click to expand...



My fave is something that's hard to find these days, 1Z WaxPolishSoft. Autoglym's Super Resin Polish is another one I like and it's what I use on my '85 Jag (no more correction for that one!). But I hear the hot ticket is something called Bilthambler (?sp?) AutoBalm, see if a search can bring up some info.



A guy I know likes Griot's Paint Glaze, but eh....his car doesn't look all that great and I can't say anything based on it.



Note that most glazes/etc. really only fill *very* minor imperfections anyhow.

The car is a 2010 Impala LTZ Summit White CC. I have no garage, but it has been well kept and cleaned on a weekly (7 days or so) basis.
Click to expand...



White's pretty easy to keep looking OK; my horrificaly beat Crown Vic is white and while I think it's simply awful most normal people see it and think "wow, nice car!"



I don't bother with glazes on the Crown Vic. With a decent polishing it looks good enough; even though the residual marring does refract light instead of reflecting it, just having white looking "clean and glossy" makes it good enough for me (and that's saying something ;) ).



On your Impala, I'd do a good decontamination, then one good correction, a final polishing to bring up the gloss *really* well, put on a good LSP, and then work on the wash technique so it doesn't get marred up (and the gloss diminished) again for a good long time.



I've used GG's machine polishes, but they seem to be less aggressive.
Click to expand...



That was my experience as well, though their mildest ones (Machine Polish #3, let alone #4) can give a nice gloss. If you already have them you could do worse for the final polish. But you could do better too ;)



Note that most GM clear is pretty hard, sounds like yours is that way.



I've had excellent results with 3M Finesse-It (not the Finesse-It II) when used by hand in the old days.
Click to expand...



Don't put too much stock in what worked well back in the day. The stuff I used back in the '70s-'80s would be *terrible* on most of my current vehicles (different paint technology), and even on old-tech-paint cars like my Jag there's usually something more modern that does everything better.
 
Accumulator,



Thank you for your reply. I had used the 3M Finesse-It years ago, but have heard the same as your comment regarding the Finesse-It II not being so user friendly. I have some of GG's Machine Polish #3 and #4 and they do well with the RO buffer, but I'm unsure of their orange pad. The last time I used my buffer, I believe I run it on "6" as you recommended. However, I'm not satisfied with GG's wax (came with the kit). I have noticed when using GG's products, indeed GM's cc appears much harder. Of course, my correction could have been better at the time. I was recovering from a car crash and was unable to really work the finish as I could have before the crash. But, since the car was new, the finish was relatively clean and smooth.



I, too, have a Crown Vic (2003), and I just keep it well washed and polish it twice a year followed by a good wax, but nothing overly expensive. Even though it's Silver Frost Metallic, it shows very little marring and looks glossy.



I have some clay and when the weather is warmer, I plan to go over the Impala as you suggested. I'll check out those glazes as well.



Thanks again for your advice.



Rick
 
SFCR- Ah, your Crown Vic has the R&P steering :D Anyhow... I don't like Griot's waxes either, and their milder MPs are just too gentle to correct anything on most clears (haven't tried them on my Ford, eh...haven't used 'em in years period).



The Griot's orange pad is a good pad for gentle work on all but the very softest clear. Works fine on the Ford. Before they came out with that red waxing pad people used the orange one for everything, and I still use it for AIOs/etc. (where other people use a finishing pad). It's supposedly similar to the Lake Country Tangerine HydroTech pad.
 
Accumulator said:
SFCR- Ah, your Crown Vic has the R&P steering :D Anyhow... I don't like Griot's waxes either, and their milder MPs are just too gentle to correct anything on most clears (haven't tried them on my Ford, eh...haven't used 'em in years period).



The Griot's orange pad is a good pad for gentle work on all but the very softest clear. Works fine on the Ford. Before they came out with that red waxing pad people used the orange one for everything, and I still use it for AIOs/etc. (where other people use a finishing pad). It's supposedly similar to the Lake Country Tangerine HydroTech pad.
Click to expand...



Yeah, that R&P made a big difference in handling. That CV has been a great car and no issues. Very inexpensive to maintain and fuel mileage isn't so bad for a full-size car (I have the police interceptor). After reading many of the posts and with your info, I decided to compare product performance today on my 2010 Summit White Impala LTZ. I used GG's orange pad on my ROB on 6 and used their MP #2 on the hood. It didn't do so badly, but it does lack the aggressiveness needed for proper correction. Perhaps their MP #1 might do better. So, I went back and tried the 3M Finesse-It II Professional Machine Polish with GG's orange pad on the roof and it worked beautifully!! Smooth as wet glass, no marks, and super shiny!! I used some Turtlewax Ice Polish I've had and the finish is outstanding. The Ice does well, but doesn't last as long as a quality wax, but since it's a polish, I don't expect it to last that long anyway. I plan to use up GG's wax and polishes and then I'll drop the dime for Pinnacle or some other quality wax and polish. So far, though, the Turtlewax Ice does well for a quick job. I use it on my CV as well as GG’s wax. After a good buff, it keeps the shine really well, especially for a daily driver. However, I do like the fact that GG’s products are water soluble and makes clean-up easy.
 
Lowejackson said:
Some pictures of Bilt Hamber. Auto Balm Corrosion Protection, Rust Removal, Car Wax and Car Polish from Bilt-Hamber UK



HD Uno



I have their clay and rust treatments, which are very good but no tried their LSPs yet.
Click to expand...



If you try those, please post your results. I researched BH's products last night, but I found a site that used to sell BH. He's out of business, but his last comments were that BH did not fill well and he had some other comments that indicated that BH was not all that. Since I've not tried it, all I can do is base an opinion on others' comments. I would like to see the results in person.
 
SFCR said:
If you try those, please post your results. I researched BH's products last night, but I found a site that used to sell BH. He's out of business, but his last comments were that BH did not fill well and he had some other comments that indicated that BH was not all that. Since I've not tried it, all I can do is base an opinion on others' comments. I would like to see the results in person.
Click to expand...



I wish I was in a position to help but I was recently made redundant so buying new products is not possible. I would say that on the British forum Detailingworld, I have yet to see a negative thread about any Bilt Hamber products
 
Lowejackson said:
I wish I was in a position to help but I was recently made redundant so buying new products is not possible. I would say that on the British forum Detailingworld, I have yet to see a negative thread about any Bilt Hamber products
Click to expand...



Uh oh! I'll check out the British forum, too. As Accumulator indicated, I hope you get that straightened out.
 
SFCR said:
If you try those, please post your results. I researched BH's products last night, but I found a site that used to sell BH. He's out of business, but his last comments were that BH did not fill well and he had some other comments that indicated that BH was not all that. Since I've not tried it, all I can do is base an opinion on others' comments. I would like to see the results in person.
Click to expand...



I ordered some Bilt Hamber Autobalm & Finis wax. They arrived yesterday and only got the chance to apply to half a panel. Initial impression is these are very good products. The Autobalm is a stand alone product but quite a few people seem to be topping it with wax, which is what I did. Autobalm seems to have gained a bit of a reputation for being hard to use but following the instructions, I found it easy to apply and remove. It is not a sexy looking product in the container, a kind of brown gooey substance but without any strong smell.



The car was polished only a few weeks ago prior to applying another product, so after a quick wash and minor polish to remove the previous product I applied the Bilt Hamber AB & Finis. I left the Finis about 20 minutes before buffing which is double the recommendation but it was very cold. Walking towards the car it was easy to see which panel had been worked upon.



It is hard to give more information as the car is covered in ice today and it looks as if it will stay freezing for a while
 
I have both as well - haven't used AutoBalm yet, but I do like Finis wax - pretty easy to use, good looks, and barely diminished beading and sheeting after six weeks (which is rather impressive in a tropical country like ours). I know that pictures don't really mean much, but here's a shot of our car five weeks after application of Finis Wax:



IMG_7939.jpg




Oh, and here a shot I found of how well Auto Balm fills - taken from this thread:



during28.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top