Chemical vs abrasive

[russde]

New to DA use and curious about the difference in technique needed for chemical polishes.

I've got some Hi Temp Smooth Cut and as this product is not an abrasive but a chemical product I am curious about the time needed for the product to make corrections. I know that pad selection will be crucial but am wondering about the difference in technique needed.

As always, love the forum and wealth of knowledge here, thanks in advance.
Russ

[brwill2005]

Originally Posted by russde

New to DA use and curious about the difference in technique needed for chemical polishes.

I've got some Hi Temp Smooth Cut and as this product is not an abrasive but a chemical product I am curious about the time needed for the product to make corrections. I know that pad selection will be crucial but am wondering about the difference in technique needed.

As always, love the forum and wealth of knowledge here, thanks in advance.
Russ

This is actually incorrect. I am not sure why TOL has worded it this way. Smooth Cut does contain very fine abrasives. It also contains a solvent to help soften the paint so that the abrasives can work. I got this information directly from a Hi-Temp employee. It is an excellent fine polish that works well with an orbital, however, it will not correct much. It can also be used with a rotary and will correct a bit more. I would use it with a polishing or finishing pad.

[russde]

Interesting. Thanks Brad, I just re-read TOL's ad and "microscopic chemical abrasives" is how they phrase it. Oh well, it works pretty good and that's what matters.
Russ

[russde]

Hi Temp's site is no more helpful than TOL's, so I e-mailed TOL:

> Hello,
> I bought some Hi-temp .357 Magnum and Smooth cut a few months ago and while I am pleased with the results I am curious about the formulation. Their website does not specify whether the .357 and smooth cut contain abrasives or are only chemical compounds.
> Could you verify the they contain abrasives or not?
> Thanks,
> Russ

Here is the response I received:
"All Hi-Temp "Levelers" (from polishes to heavy cutting formulas) contain chemical abrasives as opposed to "mechanical". Chemical abrasives break down under heat and produce very little, if any, swirling."

So, since heat is required to break these down...is a PC sufficient?

I was going to e-mail Hi-temp but couldn't find contact info.
Russ

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by russde

..So, since heat is required to break these down...is a PC sufficient?

Gee, I hate to contradict the *manufacturer* but it doesn't seem to require much heat to break down either 357/HC or Extreme Cut. Both work OK by PC as long as you use 4" pads.

Heh heh..."chemical abrasives..as opposed to "mechanical".. "... gotta love the, uhm, inventive way companies use certain words Oh well, at least they *are* good products, however goofy the ad-copy.