DACP beats PI-III MG…or does it?

B

Bruce

New member
I finished detailing my dark blue car several weeks ago, and was very pleased with the result. But then I had to go and examine it with my new toy, a 500-watt hand-held halogen lamp that I picked up at Home Depot for $20. There were many swirls, faint scratches and water stain remnants that I had never seen before. You might ask why I was concerned, since they were invisible without the halogen. Don’t ask. This is Autopia.



I first tried mild abrasives with a white polishing pad�Menzerna Final Polish, Einszette Metal Polish and Paint Polish�but there was no change. Then I jumped to 3M PI-III MG with a yellow cutting pad, and wow. Almost everything disappeared. This confirmed the conclusion I had just about reached that PI-III MG would become my workhorse polish of choice.



But then, what the heck, in for a dime, in for a dollar, so I went over it with DACP, which I had never used before. This took it ALL out. I tried several different areas, and the story was the same. The PI-III took out most of it, with no improvement with a second pass, and then DACP took out the rest. If I started with DACP, there was no point in following up with PI-III, because the DACP had gotten it all.



In all instances I worked the product in thoroughly, mostly at 4, finishing up with 5, and buffed it off with a MF towel when it was dry and almost gone. I followed up with Menzerna Final Polish, white pad.



This is what I think I can and cannot conclude:



1. DACP is more abrasive than PI-III, but not necessarily “better.� For this particular car at this particular time, DACP was the better choice, but I can’t say that would always be the case. Another car might not need the added aggressiveness provided by DACP. When my son brings his car over for its first-ever detailing, it would be fun to do a small section with PI-III and examine it with the halogen lamp to see if it needs DACP. But if I don’t have time for that foolishness, I’ll probably just reach for the DACP.



2. Both were easy to apply and remove.



3. Neither one produced swirls or hazing with the yellow cutting pad. The shine was excellent with both. I didn’t have a chance to compare the two side by side in the sun, but my impression is that they would be about the same. I now understand why some folks feel they can jump from DACP or PI-III directly to wax or sealant.



4. I followed up with FP, but try as I might, I couldn’t detect an improvement in shine. But others might. It just seems right to follow a yellow pad with something milder on a white pad to smooth the paint a bit. And it squeaked when I buffed the FP off with a MF towel. I love that.



5. Do NOT buy a 500-watt halogen lamp. It will ruin your life.
 
Dylansdad,



DACP = Dual Action Cleaner Polish. From Meguiar's. Very, very good product, but you'll either have to order it online or pick it up at a auto paint store or a parts store like NAPA/Carquest.



hth,



DavidM
 
I'm glad you started this thread. :) I have PI III 39002 and I submitted a thread the other day asking if there would be any advantages in buying DACP or if they were equal. (no response though) Got my answer now. :cool:
 
I use both products and like 'em both. I just have to give the slight edge to DACP as I feel it's a little bit more versatile than PI-III MG.
 
AlBoston,



I am curious as to which 3M product you are using in place of DACP?



I just talked to a 3M Rep for 1/2 hour today on their polishes and glazes and their Cut/Finish ratings and could not find a DACP comparable product. What am I missng here?
 
I've had better luck with DACP rather than FI-II. They may be on similar scales but I think DACP is just a bit more effective. It may be a little higher on the abrasive scale though.
 
According to what 3M told me today (if you believe them),



p/n 39003 = 05928 3M FI II Finishing Material Machine Polish is rated by 3M at a cut of 25 and a finish of 4 which puts it on par with SMR Dark and Light which puts it on par with Meguiar's #9 which ranks it 2-3 levels below DACP. This makes DACP quite a bit more aggressive than the above 3M products.



I wish there were a standard rating system for abrasiveness. It would make things easier to understand.
 
#85 Diamond Cut = 10

#84 Compound Power Cleaner = 9

#4 Heavy-cut Cleaner = 8

#1 Medium-cut Cleaner = 7

#83 DACP = 6

#2 Fine-cut Cleaner = 5

#80 Speed Glaze = 4

#82 Swirl Free Polish = 3

#9 Swirl Remover 2.0 = 3

#3 Machine Glaze = 1

They don't list anything at the 2 rating that I know of



3M is pretty close if they say that #9 is 2 or 3 levels below DACP. No wonder I didn't get the same results. I tell ya, I've been trying to make a list of the relative abrasive levels of products and it is really hard work. You think something is pretty close to another product and then you find out that it is pretty far away from being close. Its too much work to try and cross compare 3M to Meguiar's. I wish the two companies would get together and clear it up for us. lol
 
Ok, 3M FI-II 39003 or 05928 is comparable to DACP, but 3M PI-III 39002 is less aggressive than DACP. According to 3M, both FI-IIs are less aggressive than PI-III. Seems to be some conflicting info. :confused: Wouldn't PI-III be a closer comparison to DACP?



3M



**EDIT** PI-III above all should be PI-II
 
Jngrbrdman said:
#85 Diamond Cut = 10

#84 Compound Power Cleaner = 9

#4 Heavy-cut Cleaner = 8

#1 Medium-cut Cleaner = 7

#83 DACP = 6

#2 Fine-cut Cleaner = 5

#80 Speed Glaze = 4

#82 Swirl Free Polish = 3

#9 Swirl Remover 2.0 = 3

#3 Machine Glaze = 1

They don't list anything at the 2 rating that I know of



3M is pretty close if they say that #9 is 2 or 3 levels below DACP. No wonder I didn't get the same results. I tell ya, I've been trying to make a list of the relative abrasive levels of products and it is really hard work. You think something is pretty close to another product and then you find out that it is pretty far away from being close. Its too much work to try and cross compare 3M to Meguiar's. I wish the two companies would get together and clear it up for us. lol
Click to expand...



Great start cookie man. Just this little tid bit you posted is beneficial! :xyxthumbs
 
The 3m product will work best with a rotary. The heat generated with a PC is not enough to fully utilize the cutting and polishing abilities of that product.
 
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