Review: 3D AAT Rubbing Compound and Finishing Polish

[mjlinane]

Review: 3D AAT Rubbing Compound & Finishing Polish

Introduction:

As mentioned in a different thread (http://www.autopia.org/forums/click-...ml#post2046292), the Stig sent me some products to review. These are the first two Im setting fingers to keyboard for.

Thanks again to Corey for providing the format.

Products



Product Claims:

From Autopia Car Care site - 3D AAT Rubbing Compound 8 oz

"3D AAT Rubbing Compound is an advanced formula that wipes out unsightly imperfections leaving your vehicle’s paint looking smooth and glossy. This body shop safe formula takes on the toughest paint defect out there – 1200 girt sanding marks, swirls, scratches, and more – without leaving dull haze behind. That’s right, 3D AAT Rubbing Compound tackles the tough stuff, yet still finishes like a fine cut polish – or better!

If you’ve ever had to remove 1200 grit sanding marks, you’re well aware that the traditional technique includes multiple steps before the paint’s gloss even begins to reemerge. That’s not the case with 3D AAT Rubbing Compound. Adaptive Abrasive Technology (AAT) offers incredible cut, without sacrificing finish!

The long buffing cycle of 3D AAT Rubbing Compound makes it easy to work with. Even if you need to make a couple of more passes once the compound starts to dry, the waterborne formula can be reactivated with a mist of water, giving you time for those additional passes without adding more compound to the pad. After buffing, you’ll appreciate the easy wipe off, and beautiful results.

Use 3D AAT Rubbing Compound with your favorite rotary or dual action polisher equipped with the appropriate foam, wool, or microfiber pad of your choice."

And - 3D AAT Finishing Polish 8 oz

"3D AAT Finishing Polish is a fine finishing polish that will leave your paint looking smooth, glossy, and defect-free. This body shop safe formula contains no fillers and easily erases light swirl marks and haze leaving nothing but a flawless finish behind. 3D AAT Finishing Polish is so easy to work with, it will quickly become your favorite!

If you’ve ever polished a vehicle with soft paint, than you’re well aware of how challenging it can be to achieve a prefect finish on such a finicky surface. And extremely hard paint systems are no picnic either! 3D AAT Finishing Polish contains Adaptive Abrasive Technology (AAT) making it perfect for use on all paint systems – hard and soft – providing awesome results every time!

3D AAT Finishing Polish provides incredible results, and 3D is so confident they’re willing to state that 3D AAT Finishing Polish can finish hologram free when used with a soft foam finishing pad on a rotary polisher! Once you’ve polished the finish to perfection, don’t worry about cleanup because 3D AAT Finishing Polish wipes off easily, leaving nothing behind but a mirror finish – not streaks, smears, or gunky buildup on your microfiber either! 3D AAT Finishing Polish makes it easy to achieve breathtaking results!"

Details:

1.- Packaging: Plastic squeeze
2.- Directions: Clearly labeled
3.- Viscosity: Thick
4.- Color: Compound - white, Polish - yellow
5.- Scent: Compound - none really, Polish - sweet
6.- Dilution: N/A
7.- Price at time of review: Compound - $19.99 8oz, Polish - $19.99 NOTE - both are currently on sale for $17.99
8.- Manufacturer: 3D
9.- Made in: USA

Other Products Used:

Compound - Griots Garage BOSS G21 + GG Orange BOSS pad & RUPES Mini + 4" Orange
Polish - RUPES Duetto + LC 5.5" Cool Wave White
Grit Guard Pad Washer
ONR
MF

Test vehicle:

2010 VW Passat in Mocha Anthracite Metallic. 120K+ miles. Light swirls. Hard paint.

Preparation:

Deconed with my normal process (How Mike washes a car) Using CG CW + OPC, Carpro IronX Snow Soap and Speedy Prep Pad + ONR (clay lube dilution).

Application:

Machine applied. Wash pad in pad washer + ONR. 3-4 pea-sized dots. Work it in a 2x2 area. Wipe with a clean MF. Rinse and repeat.

Observations:

Compound - Freaking amazing stuff. Typically, to remove swirls in VW paint generally takes rather aggressive stuff - maybe Megs M100 or M101 on MF or the like. Here, 3D AAT Rubbing Compound was magic - on an orange pads, no less. No exaggeration, 1 spreading pass, 1 right-left super-slow-mo pass and 1 up-down super-slo-mo pass. Thats it. Swirls gone. Easy wipe off. Will dust if overworked so dont. You dont need to. Keep pad very clean. Working time isnt long but you dont need it. Note - could be related to the ONR but who cares? You dont need it. Finishes pretty much LSP ready on hard VW paint. Part of the reason I was able to do a full 2-step polish in about 4 hours was this step works super fast.

Polish - Nice sweet scent. Spreads far. Long working time. Not super easy but pretty easy wipe off - seemed to take one wipe to pick up the oily stuff and then another to get the residue, which came absolutely clean. (Most polishes seem to do the reverse where I pick up most with the first wipe and then chase an oily film for a while.) Adds gloss. Will update when I have a car with softer paint.

Video of results


Does it meet its claims? Except for the long working time on the compound, yes. Did not try to extend with water because didnt feel I needed to and the shorter time could have been related to the ONR.

Pros (Compound):

1.- Fantastic, fast acting cut
2.- Excellent finish
3.- Easy wipe off
4.- Isnt exactly cheap but, for what it does, it is a bargain.

??? (Compound):

1.- None.

Cons (Compound):

1.- I only have 8oz.

Pros (Polish):

1.- Excellent finish
2.- Pretty easy wipe off.

??? (Polish):

1.- None.

Cons (Polish):

1.- None.

Final Observations and Summary:

I absolutely loved 3D AAT Rubbing Compound. Ive had good results with some other heavy cut compounds (10s on the Autopia Chart - Megs M101 & M105, Menz FG400) but this one worked so fast and so easy - on an ORANGE PAD - that Im not sure I will want to use anything else. (I will because a still have a goodly amount of those others but wont be that happy about it. ) Actually, like most things in life, Im sure there will be paints when M101 or FG400 will work better. Havent tried on an MF pad yet but can only imagine.

I liked 3D AAT Finishing Polish. If that sounds restrained, it is only because of how fantastic the Rubbing Compound was. As noted above, think will need a softer paint to determine if it is as great in its own way as the Rubbing Compound.

Comments and questions are encouraged. Thanks for viewing!