Went to work on one panel of the Beetle... Truly Amazing!

adg44 · 02-04-03, 07:53

Looks like I won't need a fine cut cleaner after all. After researching stronger 3M products I may need to use for my sisters beetle, I decided to go give a try with the SMR and a cutting pad. Well, I truly was impressed.

Before:

After:

That was just one application, and there is not one swirl anywhere on that panel. No glaze or anything with that pic, just the SMR. I'm sure with a glaze I'd be even more impressed. I then just followed up with 3M SCPW, which I'm really starting to like.

I noticed when I washed that panel that it was super rough, I mean the wash mit didn't slide over the paint easily at all, and I kept feeling bumps. After I did the SMR, everything was gone and the paint was smooth as butter. So why would someone use a clay bar?

Question though, when I used a cutting pad on my Jetta and the SMR, I noticed it hazed the paint a little bit. That wasn't the case with this car though. I even went over one section with a polishing pad, but I couldn't tell a difference, except for maybe it removed some super fine and sparse scratches the cutting pad left behind, or it was just the extra application. Maybe there was no hazing this time either because I washed the pad and it got "broken" in?

And, the car is really pretty purple/dark blue color - I don't know why the pictures turned out green?

I'll take a better picture tomorrow in direct sunlight.

- Anthony

rd_volvo · 02-04-03, 07:59

WOW !!!!!

Ktulu · 02-04-03, 08:05

Incredible!

Definately need more pics!

Neb · 02-04-03, 08:09

that is seriously impressive, i'm guessing that is the smr for dark cars? the reason that people claybar before using smr is because if you don't, some surface contamination might get loose, and go into your pad while you're buffing out swirls, and the contamination might end up causing scratches/swirls.

also you might want to try wiping the surface with alcohol/water mixture to see if all the swirls have actually been removed, and not filled in.

AMP01 · 02-04-03, 09:36

adg44,

Those before and after pics are great!!!

Even though I already have SMR and have used it many times, those pics make me want to use it again. Which cutting and polishing pads did you use? Also, did you use a PC?

Regarding the green color, there is probably alot of green in the flake pattern of the paint or your camera pics alot of green tones as a default.

Again, great post.

Cheers,
My Black 7 Series

adg44 · 02-04-03, 09:50

Quote:

Originally posted by AMP99
[b]adg44,

Those before and after pics are great!!!

LOL. I was so excited after I wiped the remains away with a microfibre cloth, that the neighbors probably heard me.

Quote:

Even though I already have SMR and have used it many times, those pics make me want to use it again. Which cutting and polishing pads did you use? Also, did you use a PC?

The 6.5" Yellow Cutting pad from CMA, and I was using a PC7424 with my speed at 3.

Quote:

Regarding the green color, there is probably alot of green in the flake pattern of the paint or your camera pics alot of green tones as a default.

I think it had something to do with my super high powered spot light I had behind me.

Because at different angles the car was entirely purple... who knows, probably was the damn flash too!

Neb · 02-04-03, 10:12

i think the reason for the green showing up more is probably because the green is the metal flakes in the paint that are more reflective, making the paint appear greener when flashed.

cvcaelen · 02-04-03, 11:13

Pics taken by a digicam can turn out green if the main lightsource in the room (garage) is fluorescent(sp?),
when you set the white balance to "outdoors" (some camera's have that option) it should be gone.

Nice change , I love to see swirls vanish like that

Christiaan

adg44 · 02-05-03, 05:48

Quote:

Originally posted by cvcaelen
Pics taken by a digicam can turn out green if the main lightsource in the room (garage) is fluorescent(sp?),
when you set the white balance to "outdoors" (some camera's have that option) it should be gone.

You learn something new on Autopia every day.

TJ98Cobra · 02-05-03, 06:19

adg44
Nice Results! I'm a SMR fan too. Did you use the yellow pad and then go over it again with a white pad? Just curious.
TJ

BIGkev1001 · 02-05-03, 06:20

Man adg, you just answered so many questions I have been wondering about!!! My car is that same exact color (indigo blue pearl is what vw calls it BTW). I have dealer installed swirls that are almost that bad and I was wondering what product/pad combo to use. I was going to use something much more abrasive then SMR, but after seeing those results I'm glad I have not gotten around to it yet. Just one more question (this color is so wierd)..... did you do this with SMR for light or dark colored cars? I'm almost positive it would be dark I just want to make sure.....

adg44 · 02-05-03, 06:23

Quote:

Originally posted by TJ98Cobra
adg44
Nice Results! I'm a SMR fan too. Did you use the yellow pad and then go over it again with a white pad? Just curious.
TJ

From my original post:

Quote:

Question though, when I used a cutting pad on my Jetta and the SMR, I noticed it hazed the paint a little bit. That wasn't the case with this car though. I even went over one section with a polishing pad, but I couldn't tell a difference, except for maybe it removed some super fine and sparse scratches the cutting pad left behind, or it was just the extra application. Maybe there was no hazing this time either because I washed the pad and it got "broken" in?

I really don't know... I couldn't tell a difference this time.