Seriously- difference between light/dark SMR

A

audio1der

New member
I bought and use SMR for light coloured cars for my pewter-coloured car.

I'm going to detail my brother's medium-blue car this weekend{read: pro bono], and was wondering what the difference is between light and dark SMR. I do not have any other cars to be done which are dark, and would prefer not to have to buy a bottle which I will use only once.

If the SMR light will still work but just not add as much depth or shine, fine.

Is there really a difference?
 
The color refered to is the color of the fillers that remain after using SMR. Since it serves both the functions of polishing and filling swirls. There is a slight difference in the tint of the fillers. If you are using SMR primarily for swirl reduction all you would need to do is remove the fillers after polishing with a 50/50 mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol. A spritz and a wipe with a MF towel and you're ready to move on to the next step
 
Thank you, HellrotCi.

I'm guessing that the reflectivity is biased towards light and dark coloured finishes, but won't actually do any damage.

Bruce; there are 2 different formulations of 3M Swirl Mark Remover.

1 for light colored paint, and 1 for dark paint.
 
I checked the ingredients in the MSDS for both products on 3M's web pages. The ingredients are identical, but the quantities (percentages) vary.



Dark 38009

WATER 40 - 70%

DISTILLATES (PETROLEUM), ACID TREATED, LIGHT 10 - 30%

ALUMINUM OXIDE 10 - 20%

HYDROTREATED HEAVY NAPHTHA (PETROLEUM) 7 - 13%

GLYCERIN 1 - 5%

WHITE MINERAL OIL 1 - 5%



Light 38109

WATER 30.0 - 60.0%

DISTILLATES (PETROLEUM), ACID TREATED, LIGHT 10.0 - 30.0%

ALUMINUM OXIDE 7.0 - 13.0%

HYDROTREATED HEAVY NAPHTHA (PETROLEUM) 5.0 - 10.0%

GLYCERIN 1.0 - 5.0%

WHITE MINERAL OIL (PETROLEUM) 0.5 - 1.5%



I've read more than one posting that white SMR may be slightly more abrasive than the dark. But here, the white has less aluminum oxide. Maybe the characteristics differ.



Somehow I doubt it's worth it to buy the dark for a pro bono detail.
 
I've read more than one posting that white SMR may be slightly more abrasive than the dark
Click to expand...



I actually was told the other way around, that dark was more abrasive. :) I kinda figured that they would make dark more abrasive since swirls are easier to distinguish on darker paint than light.



Its hard to say for sure the difference between the two, I don't imagine its much if one is more abrasive that the other. :) :up
 
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