3M Perfect-It Fine Cut Compound

Summary Good Product (September 17, 2007)

Reviewer's Comments

This is a good compound and has real good cut, but it powders up a whole lot and if you don't work it in correctly it is difficult to take off.

Summary Ok, but no "wow" (April 21, 2005)

Reviewer's Comments

This product was the first "serious" paint correction product I used. I think for the most part it does ok, but just not to my complete satisfaction.

Even before the days I knew about a PC, I used to use this product by hand or ( I'll admit it :0 ) a Waxmaster like buffer with foam bonnet. Understandably, I rarely completely removed most defects.

When I used it via PC, I saw more cutting power, but still, to my dissatisfaction, just not enough "oomph" to get the defects out. Also I would like the finish to be a bit more glossy when finished. Do not be surprised if you need to follow up with a lighter polish.

When I graduated to rotary use here and there, I saw perhaps a slight improvement in performance. Understand that many 3m polishes are designed for rotary use specifically. I got some more marring out via rotary and polishing and cutting pads but the horrendous dust remained an issue.

Overall, this product might do the job for you, but I find there's a good chance it will not "wow" you. It's still not a bad product to use when practicing and learning the rotary.

Summary Another Excellent 3M Prod (October 12, 2004)

Reviewer's Comments

Well what can I say, another incredibly effective product from 3M, no doubt in my mind the best manufacturer of paint polishes. I recently reviewed their 3M PI-III Machine Glaze which is also a great product, but for my level swirls and cobwebbing, it wasn't quite aggressive enough (it worked, it was just taking too long). So I bought the FC from my local distributor and couldn't wait to try it. I didn't f around and went right for the orange Sonus cutting pad. I was simply amazed at how quickly and effectively the this stuff knocked out 95% of my swirls. This stuff was easy to apply and when worked in properly was also easy to remove with a MF. I applied it on a setting of 3 with the PC and quickly spread it on the work area then immediately bumped it to 5 and really went to work polishing. You do not have to use alot of product--if you notice your pad gumming up then you are using too much. This is not the fault of the product. After finishing up with 3M MG and a white polishing pad, I decided to give it a fresh wash before waxing. Pulled the truck back into the garage, applied the #16 and removed it. My 2001 looked like a 2004 with 0 miles on it, especially compared to some of the other Yukons I see on the road that are a complete mess.


Two things I must mention:

1. This WILL leave some micro-marring/haze on your paint when used with a cutting pad. This is where the MG and a white polishing pad enters the picture. It cleaned up the haze nicely and finished off the surface which was absolutely ready for #16, or the LSP of your choice.

2. This product dusts alot. Its almost as if you're using a rotary with it but I didn't mind because the results I was getting were nothing short of spectacular. A couple tips: I taped off the bottom part of my windows to prevent the dust from getting into the lower weatherstripping on the outside. I also QD'd every next panel I was about to tackle so as not to spread around the polish dust (which I hear can be a cause of swirling).

Bottom line--when you want to get the job done, use this stuff. When you really want to remove swirling and revitalize your paint, look to the FC. Don't let the name fool you, it is not a compound in the traditional sense. Its merely a moderately aggressive polish that will get you results with a PC in a short amount of time. Great stuff!

Summary My favorite cutter (September 2, 2004)

Reviewer's Comments

Don't be afraid! I know alot of people are afraid to use a cutting compound. They think that by using their PC or by hand they'll somehow ruin their clearcoat by using something "aggressive". You'd have to be asleep at the wheel to screw your paint up with this stuff.

It has excellent cutting abilities. I doubt that most people would have to use something more abrasive to remove those everyday swirls we encounter when detailing cars that have not been properly cared for in the past.

I always follow up with a finer polish. Lately I've simply been using All-In-One which seems to do a bang-up job. I also use Menzerna Final Polish if I feel I need just a tad more bite to clean up. I have applied it by hand and by PC.

Overall, I think every detailer needs to have this product in his/her arsenal. You will be turning to it more often than you think.

Summary need dustbuster.......... (June 27, 2004)

Reviewer's Comments

3m Stuff has been a staple in my old man's shop for as long as I can remember. Having been around it, and the guys that work with 3m products, I felt these products were some of the best at what they do. I still hold to those beliefs, but not as much as before.

Instructions are simple, nuff said there. Packaging is durable.
Really deisgned for a machine polisher or buffer, but can be also used by hand. Prblem is that it dries out fast, leaving behind a lot of dusty residue that has to be cleaned up. When i used to work at the shop. I didn't think too much about that issue since the cars had to be washed anyway. But now that I have taken on sprucing up cars as an expensive hobby, i have come to realize that there are products out there that can do similar things as FCRC without the prerequisite mess that has to be cleaned up.

Cutting action is very good. I have found that i can reduce or eliminate some scratches and swirls with the PC. However I feel this is a product more at home with the rotary. It can be used with cutting pads, and can also be used with polishing pads to remove any marring from the cut pad. I do not find that it gives off the same wet-look like other products i have tried. however, following up with something else like Menzerna FP or Poorboys ssr1/ ssr2 can help clear up the finish and give a more vibrant look before adding wax or sealant.

Perhaps the best thing about this product is that does what it says it will do; remove swirls, reduce or remove scratches, and leave the surface with a clean finish ready for the next step. Adn best of all, it is available at most big auto chains, making it a good tool to have in absense of the other now more popular products on the market. find a way to make the compound less duty, and I would not think to get anything els in its place.

Summary A favorite polish (February 5, 2004)

Reviewer's Comments

I generally use 3M o5937 Perfect-it III Machine Glaze, but when I need a little more bite, I go for the PII-FCRC. It does the work that P-III MG can't do quickly...and it leaves a beautifully smooth finish.

Summary takes out some scratches (January 13, 2003)

Reviewer's Comments

1991 Lexus, dark green color, with acid rain etching, scratches, and water spots. Followed CMA instructions http://properautocare.com/witporcabpol.html , washed with Pinnacle Bodywork shampoo first, dried, used Fine Cut with foam pad (didn't have a wool pad, package said to use foam or wool), followed up with Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion and Liquid Souveran. Overall result? very good. some of the acid rain etching remains on the hood, but almost all scratches and poorly applied touch up paint blobs were smoothed out. Overall finish is very smooth, deep, and glossy. This summer I may try again with a different pad when I have more time and it is warmer outside.

Summary not for the weak at heart (November 4, 2002)

Reviewer's Comments

As a matter of fact , nobody realy wants to use a compound , 'cause it means you have to fix paint defects.But there comes a time you need it and for me the 3M fine cut was the answer.
It had to take out 2000 grid sanding paper-haze and it did,
I had to do it by hand both 'cause it was a very small area to repair and 'cause I don't yet have a detailing-machine.

Why did I wrote "not for the weak at heart"?
Well , because initialy you can hear the compound grind the paint,that grinding goes away after a while (the abrasive parts brake down) and leave you some dullness (wich was perfectly removed with the 3M Perfect-it machine polish applied by hand)

Easy attainable in Belgium,
on downer is the size of the bottle and the price: bottles are 33 ounce only , at 21Euro.

It did the job it had to do,
so,
I'm not complaining

Summary Awesome! (October 29, 2002)

Reviewer's Comments

As with all of 3M's Perfect-It line of polishes, I'm thrilled with the performance of this fine compound. It comes in both paste and liquid form. The liquid is the right choice if your're using a machine. It works fine by hand, too.

I have used 3M Perfect-It compound for several situations, including:

1. Removing fine scratches by hand;
2. Removing heavy oxidation and fine rust spots; and
3. Removing 1200 grit sanding marks after color sanding.

In all cases, compounding by hand or machine, this product applies, cuts and buffs off the ease. Cleanup is easy unless you allow the buffer to splatter. I suggest applying the compound to a foam cutting pad and spreading it across the paint surface before turn on the buffer.

In most cases, you will need to follow the 3M compound with a fine polish. I suggest 3M Swirl Mark Remover or Finesse-It Machine Polish.

Two thumbs up!