Trouble with Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover

Black240SX · 04-02-05, 11:49

I tried out my new PC today, but it did not go as well as I had hoped. I intended to use Megs 83 DACP and 80 Speed Glaze, but could not find the Speed Glaze anywhere. Instead, I ended up with 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover for Dark Cars, which the clerk said was easier to use.

My car is black and has 12 years worth of daily-driving swirl marks. I got it ready for polishing by washing and claying.

I tried the 3M SMR first, using a polishing pad. The result was lots of hazing and no swirl mark removal. In fact, I removed the fillers that it left with alcohol and found the paint to be worse than before I started. I quickly concluded that it was not going to remove my swirl marks and got out the DACP.

DACP works great! It was easy to use and quickly removed the swirls. It did leave the paint hazy and there seemed to be a bunch of tiny swirls, but the results were a big improvement. I'm not sure if I should have gotten a better finish just from the DACP or not.

Once I finished with the DACP, I tried to use the SMR to remove the hazing. I experimented with using more or less of it; more or less pressure; more or less time; etc. I could not get good results from it. I ended up using Scratch-X by hand to bring up the shine.

When I was done, the paint was much better but there are a bunch of scratches which I think were made when I was using the SMR. I can't be sure; they may have been there all along but gone unnoticed amongst all the swirls.

What was I doing wrong with the 3M SMR? Or is it not good to use with a PC?

V8toytruck · 04-03-05, 12:09

Which pads are you using? Maybe your speed wasn't high enough or your pad isn't doing any cutting. I use Megs SMR2.0 at 4 and a green propel pad (lite cut) and I get a very nice gloss.

Tanat198 · 04-03-05, 12:29

3M SMR is very mild and will not remove very deep swirls as you expected. It mostly will fill it up. I think you may have to go for PI-III Machinge Glaze for light swirls removal or RC for deep swirls. These do not have any fillers in. It's the real deal.

Black240SX · 04-03-05, 12:40

I was using a Meguiars polishing pad, and tried speeds 3 through 5.

I really wasn't expecting the 3M SMR to remove the swirls; that's why I bought the DACP as well. What I don't understand is why the SMR caused so much hazing. I was expecting a ready-to-wax finish from it.

Dent's & Details · 04-03-05, 05:19

The 3M is designed for the rotary not a PC. I could never get it to work right with a Cyclo.

It will give you good results with the Rotary.

TOGWT · 04-03-05, 05:45

Just a thought but 12 years of surface marring removed with an SMR and a PC seems to me a little ambitious. If you don’t have a rotary I would definitely try a more aggressive polish

Moderate to Heavy Swirls = 3M Perfect It II Fine Cut Rubbing Compound and cutting pad
Minor to Moderate Swirls = 3M Perfect It III Machine Glaze and polishing pad
JonM

Black240SX · 04-03-05, 11:25

Ron: I was suspecting I was not breaking down the 3M SMR.

TOGWT: I'm using DACP to remove the swirls with good results. But I need something to follow that to bring up the shine.

I'll try again to find some of the Speed Glaze.

Accumulator · 04-03-05, 11:32

Black240SX- If you don't find the #80, get the 3M PI-III MG (pn 05937).

Black240SX · 04-03-05, 03:25

I checked all over town and could find neither the Megs Speed Glaze or 3M Machine Glaze. It looks like I'll have to order some.

I'm feeling very sorry for myself now. I have a new toy but can't play with it.

stevet · 04-03-05, 09:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Dent's & Details
The 3M is designed for the rotary not a PC. I could never get it to work right with a Cyclo.

It will give you good results with the Rotary.

On my bottle of 3M SMR it says it's excellent for hand use. If you can use it by hand you can use it with the PC. If SMR was made for a rotary only I don't think they would be recommending it for hand use. I use it with a PC no problem.

Dent's & Details · 04-04-05, 04:36

Yeah I realize that now. I was thinking about the Foam Pad polishing Glaze.

I still find the 3M to work best with the rotary. I think there are much better products designed for the PC that Black240 could buy.

stevet · 04-04-05, 05:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Dent's & Details
Yeah I realize that now. I was thinking about the Foam Pad polishing Glaze.

Foam Polishing Pad Glaze is 3M SMR in a 32 oz bottle. It's the same stuff sold in a bigger bottle.