How good is polishing action of AIO?

F1Crazy · 01-02-02, 02:30

I am new to this forum and car detailing at this level - you guys are amazing!- and have a newbie question: I noticed that many of you use 3M SMR for paint preparation, why not use just AIO? not strong enough? Do you use it only as a sealant?
I have a gold '00 RX300 that is in pretty good shape (just a few light scratches) and I wonder if AIO (followed by SG) will be enough to remove paint imperfections?
I plan on buying P21S kit from CMA, maybe I should use P21S Paintwork Cleansing Lotion before AIO?

BW · 01-02-02, 03:30

AIO doesn’t have much polishing ability as it is non-abrasive and will not remove any minor swirl marks or other imperfections. However it has good cleaning ability and when used properly, deep cleanses the paint and smoothens out the paint surface. Multiple applications of AIO will clean the surface even better, but not “polish.”

The reason some of us use 3M SMR before Klasse AIO is that it acts as a mild abrasive to remove minor swirl marks and polish out imperfections.

Just remove any scratches or swirls with a mild abrasive like 3M SMR, clean (and seal) the paint with AIO, and add more layers of SG for that extra shine and durability. The P21S Cleansing Lotion will clean a bit more… but its not required.

Good luck!
~bw

James A · 01-02-02, 03:41

AIO is mild and will not do anything for swirls and I haven't found it does much for roughness on the paint surface. I does remove minor ozidation and pervious wax or sealers but that's about all. As BW points out you will need a swirl mark remover or something like Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion to correct surface problems.

Brad4rdHay · 01-02-02, 03:42

Not to start an argument, but AIO is abrasive, its a polish, and all polishes remove paint. Compounds remove ALOT more than a polish, which removes very, very, very little. Take DKs test in the product review section, AIO removed paint, just as any polish would. Now if it removed it chemically, AIO would have to be a paint thinner! Now, BW is completely correct about AIO not removing alot of swirls. It helps a litlle, but using a good polish from 3m, griots will work better. AIO deos clean nicely though.

Intermezzo · 01-02-02, 05:09

I find that AIO does a good job at removing whatever 'hazing' is left over from more aggressive products.

puterbum · 01-02-02, 07:41

It's all in the technique

. Since I was satisfied with my paint's condition before using AIO, I didn't rub too hard with it. I'm pretty sure Intermezzo had to work the AIO in very firmly to remove SMR / PPCL hazing with it, so make sure your expectations and techique / products used match up correctly.

My $0.02,
puterbum

F1Crazy · 01-02-02, 09:11

Thanks for advice. I think I will use PC to apply AIO and apply SG by hand after I practice on a car of my father in law he, he.
If I decide to use SMR should I do entire car or just sections with the scratches?

Koyaanisqatsi · 01-02-02, 09:42

The omly thing I will add is that all though AIO will not remove many swirls, the SG will do a very good job of hiding minor swirls. If teh vehicle is only a year old then I think you will be very happy with the AIO, SG combo.

BillNorth · 01-03-02, 06:08

I am a huge fan of AIO. It's probably the most versatile product out there. On a light coloured vehicle, multiple apps may remove some of your swirls. I had to do this after I discovered my bottle of SMR was bad.

DETAILKING · 01-03-02, 07:22

That was properly prepped, I would skip the AIO, and go right for the SG. AIO is abrasive, and I only use abrasives when necessary. If the car needs a cleaning, AIO will do a good job that. I found it to be harsher than PPCL, but when I used it. it is not so harsh that it removes swirls like a swirl mark remover does. Realize that a chemcal strong enough to remove oxidation with not abrasives would require rubber gloves to use!

Here is the results of my abrasive test, on a RAW painted aluminum propeller. Zaino and 3M IHG were the only products that did not take any paint off..............NU FINISH was the harshest of the group. SG also did not take any paint off, I tested it earlier but had none left for this test.

<img src=http://www.fototime.com/83E9217762C00DE/orig.jpg>

waxman · 01-03-02, 07:27

I find Nu Finish or Turtle Wax Finish 2001(almost the same product as Nu Finish) to be very strong paint cleaners. Maybe too strong of a cleaner. If you have some oxidized paint or some dull chrome, this stuff will do the job and leave some protectant behind. Extremely hard to buff off if you let them fully dry. I find if you are using them as a cleaner, you can rub them on with a little pressure, let sit for a few moments and wipe off.
I have a chrome shower curtain rod. I tried AIO on a spot and thought it did a great job. I then tried the Finish 2001 next to it. I was amazed how much cleaner it was with the Finish 2001 than with AIO. AIO is definitely a mild paint cleaner when compared to things like Nu Finish or Finish 2001, easier to use, and leaves a nicer shine.

Don2000g · 01-06-02, 12:11

AIO is a pretty good cleaner. Its strong enough to clean slightly neglected paint but not strong enough to remove swirls. Its kind of right down the middle. So for me and many others here, it is a good choice. One more thing. I really wouldn't worry about using AIO on a newer car. It won't damage your paint and will actually layer down some protection of acrylic. It is provides a wonderful base for Klasse Sealant Glaze. Laters