need help choosing products for swirl marks

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optimsprym

New member
Ive tried searching past threads and ive gone over many and im still confused as to what to use :confused: I am not sure how to classify my swirl marks (minor or major) but they are pretty noticeable and ive gotten 2-3 good scratches that my nail can run into. Basically ive seen people say they use DACP, 3M SMR, PI-III MG, FI-II, etc.. I still dont know what the differences is between most of those products besides the fact that some are more aggresive than others in removing swirls. Also whatever product i pick, would it be best to go with a PC to apply it with?..i hope the learning curve is as easy as most say cuz i havent used one before:(
 
Go with the DACP! It's a cleaner/polish, so what it does is clean up the swirls by small removal of paint or clearcoat where the swirls are, then polishes the finish. DACP works very well and results are quicker.



3M SMR IS a swirl reducer, not remover as it hides them with a type of filler. Great to temp work, but once the wax is gone, the swirls start to show up again.



The other 3M products are great as well, but most require a rotory for swirl removal for best results. It can be done with a PC, just takes longer.



Pads are important as much as products. If they are major-to-minor, use a cutting pad, then polish pad later. Work the product well into the paint. Remove it, and check the work progress. Are they going away? Great, continue, if not, a more aggressive product may be needed, or not working the product fully. The key is checking how it goes.



Good luck, and let us know!



Regards,

Deanski
 
Thanx for the reply Deanski. As for the pads..are they all the same from company to company (PC pads, CMA pads, etc..) or is there one better than the other?
 
It all depends on the type of pad you use for what condition the paint is in.



The CMA pads are fine, do not know PC pads, used Meguiars and CMA mostly.



I think you'll be happy with the results from DACP. Again, just check as you go to see if they are gone.



Do you have a PC? If not, try Costal Tool on the web, VERY good prices!



Let us know how you do! We are here to assist!!



Regards,

Deanski
 
thanks for the tip on where to look to buy the PC! I guess ill be trying DACP and a polish pad first, if that doesnt work ill step it up to a cutting pad. Like everyone says..start off slow and work up. Thanks for the great help!
 
since ive decided to use DACP to get to the swirls on my car already, what would be a good product to use for future swirls? should i just stick to using DACP or should i go with the SMR. Would using DACP for a long period of time be bad for the clearcoat since it somewhat removes a little of it?
 
Deanski said:
3M SMR IS a swirl reducer, not remover as it hides them with a type of filler. Great to temp work, but once the wax is gone, the swirls start to show up again.

Regards,

Deanski
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Actually, most posts I read about 3M SMR do state that it has some fillers but it is a very light abrasive. Using a PC, yellow cutting pad and 3M SMR can remove slight swirl marks (not just fill them). Granted, if the swirls are anything serious, you would have to step it up a notch.
 
Schmo said:
Actually, most posts I read about 3M SMR do state that it has some fillers but it is a very light abrasive. Using a PC, yellow cutting pad and 3M SMR can remove slight swirl marks (not just fill them). Granted, if the swirls are anything serious, you would have to step it up a notch.
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Correct. 3M SMR does in fact remove swirls. It also hides a little bit of what remains.
 
Jliao said:
What's DACP? :confused:
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Go to the home page and click on the acronyms link (or click .here ) It will demystify most of these.



In short it is Meguairs Dual Action Cleaner/Polish. It is more abrasive than 3M SMR and pretty highly loved on this forum.
 
By default, if you're not sure, you should be starting off with swirl remover and then working up to something like DACP if it's not generating results.



After getting out the worst of the damage, annual or biannual overhauls with swirl remover should be good enough, assuming proper care. Remember: polishes should only be used as needed and there's no real schedule for using them. If you don't need to use them, great!
 
4DSC said:
Remember: polishes should only be used as needed and there's no real schedule for using them. If you don't need to use them, great!
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Sorry for the million questions..but it is okay to follow up SMR with AIO right? My basic plan is to use SMR/AIO/UPP/S100, using SMR only when i need to remove a swirl, and the AIO 2-3 times a year when doin the "all out" details
 
Yes, AIO is a light cleaner/polish so you usually don't have to worry about having "compatible" products under it.
 
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