Technique vs. Product - just how important is product really? - Page 2

JuneBug · 09-11-07, 05:38

A friend that sells used cars and runs a bodyshop - sends me cars to detail occasionally, he is a 100% 3M man. I asked which products he used and he went over a few. The thing that bothered me was the silica in the 3M compounds. That stuff can't be good for ya. I wonder if it's in the new stuff? Anyway, I'll stick with what I have.

rydawg · 09-11-07, 06:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneBug

A friend that sells used cars and runs a bodyshop - sends me cars to detail occasionally, he is a 100% 3M man. I asked which products he used and he went over a few. The thing that bothered me was the silica in the 3M compounds. That stuff can't be good for ya. I wonder if it's in the new stuff? Anyway, I'll stick with what I have.

You would be very shocked to see what's in some of these compounds and polishes. Some of the chemicals in them are not good for you at all. I read 3m's ultrafina's bottle yesterday and now I am leary of using it.

rydawg · 09-11-07, 07:26

Great thread Dave and I agree with you exactly.

What it really comes down to if you have proper technique for the right product that you also have the right product technique for the right machine technique, then you will have one perfect finish.

The proper way of testing any product is to use it on a whole car. When testing only on panels it is not a proper way of actually testing product wise. Some compounds/polishes actually will work great on the first 2 panels until the third, then it get loaded with polish dust and will need to be hosed out, or sometimes the lubes if not broken down correct will overload the pad and skip, spit, clump, or get hot. So I think technique is a tad more important than product, but the right product will make the technique much easier.

Then the other factor is, one finish will look great in ones eyes, but in the trained eys it will look ok. While I do have a very crucial eye for detail and being a perfectionist, I am always trying to bump my finish past it gloss point into the liquid stage. This is where skill and experience comes into factor.

1. Product
2. technique
3. trained eye
4. product knowledge
5. machine knowledge
6. product experience
7. machine experience
8. right pads
9. right product amount
10. paint knowledge
11. patience
12. etc...

To some of us it is very easy, but for some others it is tough, but just keep learning the right techniques and will have a great finish.

I also do have the po85rd3.02 and love it most of the time. It can be a pain on polish pads, but on cutting pads or compound pads it works superb. I just do not like the fact that it does get the pads very hot and hurts my machine for extended use. But the finish I do get is superb! It is not the perfect polish for the Metabo, as it keeps shutting the machine off. So, even with the right product/pad and along with the right machine techniques, you still need the right machine to get the job done right.

sken · 09-11-07, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydawg

1. Product
2. technique
3. trained eye
4. product knowledge
5. machine knowledge
6. product experience
7. machine experience
8. right pads
9. right product amount
10. paint knowledge
11. patience
12. etc...

++1 I would change machine to "appropriate equipment knowledge" and you have it nailed!

Coupe · 09-11-07, 08:44

This is why im not buying into the whole "106ff is the best finishing polish EVER" crap....

Understanding the product and how to use it is what matters. Me and my cheap megs and optimum are doing great together.

wannafbody · 09-11-07, 08:56

I think product is more important for good results when polishing. Getting the right pad and polish combo is essential to getting good results. Wrong pad/wrong product and you will end up with poor results (haze, insufficient correction, ect.) The key is to find what works for you.

Coupe · 09-11-07, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by wannafbody

I think product is more important for good results when polishing. Getting the right pad and polish combo is essential to getting good results. Wrong pad/wrong product and you will end up with poor results (haze, insufficient correction, ect.) The key is to find what works for you.

That would more proper technique and tools than the product.

steelwind101 · 09-11-07, 09:39

I agree with what is being said.

Im huge fan or SSR2.5 and the Optimum line and i can get them out get polishing and get the job done. I mainly post on Audi/VW forums and people are shocked that dont have Menzerna.

Geoff

Accumulator · 09-11-07, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneBug

..The thing that bothered me was the silica in the 3M compounds. That stuff can't be good for ya. I wonder if it's in the new stuff? Anyway, I'll stick with what I have.

Check the labels, if it contains silica it oughta contain a warning (at least these days). And yeah, wear the proper respirator when using silica-based abrasives.

I'm a broken-record on this, but breathing silica dust is like breathing adbestos dust- it can kill you. People who'd never smoke a cigarette sometimes breathe in stuff that's just as toxic in the course of "safe" activities.

Guess I don't mind repeating this caveat over and over...a while back a member here, who'd used a silica-based abrasives for years, saw one of my warnings about it and considered it a wakeup call...it had previously escaped his notice.

Black240SX · 09-11-07, 08:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe

This is why im not buying into the whole "106ff is the best finishing polish EVER" crap....

Understanding the product and how to use it is what matters. Me and my cheap megs and optimum are doing great together.

Get a sample of 106ff or 85rd and do some side-by-side comparisons with your other products.

That is what I did, and indeed the Menzerna finishing polishes do give better results.

SVTsupremecy · 09-11-07, 09:15

i feel dumb for admitting this but, ive bought into the menzerna line(106ff)...and ive only used my PC for 2-3 details. Since i have bought my Megs #80 and #83 and although i havent used them yet...i feel i can learn my technique alot easier with chemicals that arent so expensive. Once i get my technique down, only then will i start using my expensive products like Menzerna.

Picus · 09-11-07, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe

This is why im not buying into the whole "106ff is the best finishing polish EVER" crap....

Understanding the product and how to use it is what matters. Me and my cheap megs and optimum are doing great together.

I don't think anyone ever said other products don't work. Well, maybe...who knows what people say around here. For me, 106ff is the product I like to finish with. In my experience, it consistently finishes "the best" for me on all types of paints. So ya... process is > product, but at some point when the process is good the product helps.