Perfect It + ?

Clean Dean · 03-11-02, 09:36

I have both 3M SMR and Meguiars 2.0 and I intend on going to battle with every single swirl on my black Mustang in April. It is not that my car has ever been though a auto-wash, or that I have been abusive to its clear, but I believe that you just cannot help but have some visible marring, and light swirls on a black everyday use car. I was just looking for some opinions on whether 3M Perfect-It II with a PC 7424 will remove the majority of these minor imperfections, and is this product to agressive. I intend on using 3M SMR after the Perfect-It, but I am contemplating using the 2.0. Any dark car owners out there used this combo? How were the results?

I have used both 3M SMR and Meguiars 2.0 with the 7424, and I found that although they both remove much of the surface swirls there are still some visible in certain lighting.

P.S. I am also going to break down and buy Souveran to apply after this treatment. Wish me luck !

carguy · 03-11-02, 10:46

Black car owner here.

Check out Back to Black

I used finesse-IT II finishing compound, then SMR. Last time I used the FI-II I actually ghot a ready to wax shine with NO SMR - just by working it more and more and more - the abrasives in these 3M products (and the meguiar's ones you mentioned) continue to break down and turn into super-fine polishing compounds. It is all technique.

i realized after i started to write this you said "perfect-it II" - I'm not sure what that is - but if it is like 3M's other lines you need to be more specific in the name = there are multiple products in the perfect-it and finesse-it lines.

Clean Dean · 03-11-02, 10:53

At Pepboys today. Sorry for the confusion, I haven't tried any other 3M products other than SMR. Thanks for the link to that thread !!

Chuckmotor · 03-12-02, 05:23

I have used Perfect-it II Fine Scratch Rubbing Compound (which is the one at Pep Boy's), and as far as rubbing compounds go, it's not too bad for a clear coat. I used it with the PC and a wool pad to bring back a VERY oxidized non-clear coated car. I may use it on my own 10 year old car come spring time, but I will probably stick with Finesse-it II and then Meg's #9 SR 2.0 (or 3M SMR, but I like the #9), which is what I would reccomend for most swirl jobs. Sure, you can use the PI-II, but if I were in your situation, I would more than likely stick with safer FI-II and then SMR or #9 2.0.

And by the way, it is probably best to follow up with the FI-II and SMR after PI-II. That's a lot of detailing!

Clean Dean · 03-12-02, 06:47

Where can I get Finesse-It II. I could not find it on CMA or Autogeek. I am trying to find it on the 3M website and I am having no luck !

JeffBruce · 03-12-02, 07:01

I saw it at Salvo and here...if you do a Googles search im sure theres more
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...html?E+scstore

JeffBruce · 03-12-02, 07:06

heres another
http://www.carcareonline.com/mfgr_frame.html

Clean Dean · 03-12-02, 07:17

Thanks for the links JeffBruce !!!

carguy · 03-12-02, 07:27

In my area, there are certain cities where there seem to be a large collection of automotive shops, including body and paint shops. In the same area are paint stores that cater to these guys. This is where I get the pro line of meguiars and 3M products. (If you're in the S.F. bay Area, it is San Carlos Paint on Industrial Blvd. in San Carlos.

Clean Dean · 03-12-02, 07:45

I printed out Back to Black and I plan on using it as a users guide while working on my black paint. I hope I see the same results that you had! I am detailing (2) Black MB S-Classes this April (a 98 and a 00) and both have been though some very unforgiving New York City automatic carwashes. I will break out the digicam for the results! Thanks !

Chuckmotor · 03-13-02, 06:06

Quote:

Originally posted by Clean Dean
I printed out Back to Black and I plan on using it as a users guide while working on my black paint. I hope I see the same results that you had! I am detailing (2) Black MB S-Classes this April (a 98 and a 00) and both have been though some very unforgiving New York City automatic carwashes. I will break out the digicam for the results! Thanks !

I did the same thing a few months ago when I needed to get rid of the swirls on my black car.

By the way, I bought FI-II at a local body shop. I went to the 3M website and typed in my area code to find the authorized 3M sellers. I got the results and made a phone call to the closest one, and minutes later I was on my way to a body shop to pick up my huge bottle (one quart??) of FI-II for $23.

Clean Dean · 03-14-02, 07:05

Local auto parts store has the entire 3M line. Can't wait to wage war on those nasty swirls !!!