Is there a finer polish for use with the PC than 3M SMR?

KWANG-SEOK

New member
I used my PC almost exclusively with 3M SMR to remove swirl marks and to polish my finish (I have occassionally stepped up to FI2 for tougher swirl marks). I'm generally very, very pleased with the results I've gotten from the PC/SMR combination, but I'm wondering -- to get that last little edge in shininess, is there an even finer polish out there I could use after applying SMR? I usually work the heck out the SMR, so I think I'm probably at the peak of shininess already, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.
 
You might want to give Pinnacle Paintwork cleansing Lotion a try, I've used it right after SMR and found that it cleans up the surfaces nicely and leaves a higher gloss than the SMR. Depending on if you plan on using a wax or sealant, as GMN was asking, would help determine what's best to go with.
 
I've tried both PPCL and Meguiars Swirl Remover 2.0 and liked 3M SMR better than both of them. Both PPCL and the Meguiar's seemed like they left a bit of micro-marring -- almost like the PC wasn't able to break down their abrasives completely. I do all of my polishing almost exclusively by machine because my results seem so much better.



FWIW, I use Zaino Z-2 as my primary sealant. :up
 
Schwa72 - Did you notice that 3M SMR was a little bit stronger than Meguiars Swirl Remover? I like to have both products on hand so I can pick and choose the right product for the application.
 
To me they really seem about the same. In my experience 3M SMR is really, really mild -- it usually takes at least a couple of passes to get it to remove any type of swirl marks.
 
Wondered this for some time, but just how oftern can you use £M SRM on a clear coat, just how much does it take off??????
 
I feel PPCL is weaker than a SMR....Maybe try the P21S paint cleanser...it may be weaker yet...



If you want more shine and are willing to remove the zaino why not try a glaze followed by some Pinnacle Souveron carauba? The shine will be different and may be what you seek in the ZEN Detailing kinda way?:D
 
I feel 3M SMR is stronger than the Meguiars Swirl Remover 2.0. I was detailing a Benz SUV with AlBoston and I had to put down the Meguairs product for the 3M because it was plain out too weak. Not a bad thing, it's a perfect product to have and I really needed something with that level of abrasivness in my collection but the 3M stuff seems stronger.



I wish other people would chime in on this, maybe I am missing something, maybe I need to use the product a different way to get the same results as I am used to from the 3M product. I'll be using the Meguiars product alot this weekend so I will have time to see what is really going on between the two.
 
richardp said:
Wondered this for some time, but just how oftern can you use £M SRM on a clear coat, just how much does it take off??????



No one truly knows but you can use one coat 4 times a week for years not need to worry about it. For one entire summer I was putting 4 coats on my car (Saturn, damn that thing was a lab rat) every Saturday, even when it was cloudy. The paint looked so rich and so wet it wasn't even funny and I never had a problem with going through the clear.



It's a really mild polish, don't worry about it.
 
Thunk of something:



Which PC pads are you using with which products?



Brad B some time ago wrote in a post about pads and products and well how harsh they were.....maybe a less agressive pad and smr may be what you seek?
 
I am using white pads with both?



Yo Guess, are you saying that you think the two products are the same?



Here is the list, I wouldn't toss info like that ;)



1-3M Imperial Hand Glaze (39007)

2-Meguiars Show Car Glaze #7

3-3M One Step Cleaner Wax - Light Oxidation Remover

4-Meguiars Machine Glaze #3

5-Meguiars Swirl Mark Remover #9

6-3M Finesse-It (39003)

7-3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover for light cars (39109)

8-3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover for dark cars (39009)

9-3M Perfect It II Rubbing Compound (39002)

10-Meguiars Heavy Cut Cleaner #4



You don't mention Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion which I would put at 4 1/2.



1.Diamond Cut Compound 2.0 -M85 - Most Aggressive

2.Compound Power Cleaner-M84

3.Heavy Duty Oxidation Remover (Marine)

4.Heavy Cut Cleaner #4

5.Medium Cut Cleaner #1

6.Color Restorer #44 (Marine)

7.Dual Action Cleaner Polish -M83 ****

8. Fine Cut Cleaner- #2

9. Medallion Paint Cleaner - #97

10. Scratch X - #108 ****

11. Body Scrub- A10

12. Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner- A30

13.Swirl Free Polish #82

14. Swirl Remover #9 **
 
DOH



I was just answering your question and letting you know I use a white foam pad to apply both products.



Then I asked you what you thought about the two products, do you think they are both on the same level of cutting action.
 
Joed - Not sure I got your post. Are you saying that the products are rated in order of aggressivness (cant spell), or your frav products your would not be with out.
 
To tell you the truth, I just downloaded the info from an old post.



For this first list:



1. is the most mild

10. is the most agressive



List two:



1. is the most agressive

14. is the most mild



Seems like I have two lists from two different post, sorry for screwing up you guys, I got myself confused too. I have too much saved detailing info here that is not organized.
 
I am unconfused now...thanks JOED for clearing that post up.



Anyone try the grey PC pad with SMR? it would seem it would be a bit less harsh then the white.
 
I was always told that they grey pad had no "cutting" properties and shouldn't be used for anything aside from layering Klasse Glaze, waxes and other products that are similar.
 
1-3M Imperial Hand Glaze (39007)

2-Meguiars Show Car Glaze #7

3-3M One Step Cleaner Wax - Light Oxidation Remover

4-Meguiars Machine Glaze #3

5-Meguiars Swirl Mark Remover #9

6-3M Finesse-It (39003)

7-3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover for light cars (39109)

8-3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover for dark cars (39009)

9-3M Perfect It II Rubbing Compound (39002)

10-Meguiars Heavy Cut Cleaner #4



This list seems to indicate that 3M SMR is more aggressive than FI2, which just can't be right. I know that FI2 is more abrasive than SMR, but it's still pretty mild. I used it with a yellow CMA pad and still had to work the heck out of it to get it to do anything. OTOH, I try to use very, very little product so that could have been part of the problem.



Oh well -- it's reassuring to hear that SMR is very mild and can be used repeatly. Although I try not to make a habit of it, SMR is the first product I reach for when I see swirls! FWIW, I usually use a white pad with SMR and FI2, although you can definitely get the job done faster with the yellow pad. Better safe than sorry, though.
 
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