3M SMR by hand... grrrrrr

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ExplorerXLT95

New member
Ok, so the other day, I applied 3M Swirl Mark Remover for Dark Colored Cars to my hood in a little 2'x2' area. I pressed pretty darn hard while doing the back and forth motion you guys suggested (in order to prevent new swirls from forming). However, I noticed that when I took it out in the sun, the swirl marks were still quite visibile. I'll say that my swirl marks are pretty bad, but not noticable unless you have direct sunlight on them.



Basically, what did I do wrong?? I used an MF to apply it and remove the little residue left.



What can I do to get better results??
 
Sorry I don't have any pics, but in the 2'x2' area, I did notice a VERY SLIGHT reduction in swirls. What did I do wrong guys?? :nixweiss



Help! :(
 
3m SMR works good but it takes a while with a PC, By hand I think that you will be rubbong till the cows come home:nixweiss



It is the way the SMR works, do a search, I am sure that you will find many threads on this:)
 
I agree with redcar guy...I tried by hand at first with minimal improvement, if ANY...then bought a PC and used a white pad first with decent results... Then used a yellow pad on speeds 4 to 6, and then got the results I was looking for! I think a PC is a must for serious swirl removal.
 
The only thing that I have had any success with by hand is Meguiars scratch X for removing swirls.



BTW: I listened to your advice concerning AIO and IHG. I sandwhiched IHG between AIO. I could not see any difference. Still it was worth a try just to know... thanks.
 
If you have serious swirls, it'll take a PC 5 to 10 minutes to remove them. By hand, maybe 5 or 10 applications to REDUCE them. SMR by hand is for very minor problems. Really can't do any serious swirl removal like that.
 
rightlane said:
The only thing that I have had any success with by hand is Meguiars scratch X for removing swirls.



BTW: I listened to your advice concerning AIO and IHG. I sandwhiched IHG between AIO. I could not see any difference. Still it was worth a try just to know... thanks.
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I'm going to have to try the Meguair's stuff... So it's Scratch X that does swirl removal for Meguiar's line up?? Isn't there a specific # for swirl mark removal??



Also, I don't recall saying put the IHG between coats of AIO. And it wasn't even me making the suggestion... It was in a previous quote by DavidB on a thread concerning this topic. If you want I can repost his quote here, but I don't think it says anything about putting it BETWEEN coats of AIO, rather, it says that you can use IHG before applying your numerous coats of AIO... Here ya go:



Originally posted by DavidB

As far as the AIO being counter productive to IHG, I don't believe that is true (and I have the paint to prove it). The oils have two purposes. The first and most important purpose is to act as a lubricant to the polishing process. If you use the products with a foam pad (by hand or PC), the lubrication prevents the creation of more swirls while the fine polish is doing its job. The second purpose is filling, which actually has little value at all. The fact that AIO removes the oils is a good thing... it cleans the surface for better bonding of the Klasse acrylic.



That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
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ExplorerXLT95 said:




I'm going to have to try the Meguair's stuff... So it's Scratch X that does swirl removal for Meguiar's line up?? Isn't there a specific # for swirl mark removal??
Click to expand...



I think Meguiars #9 Swirl Remover v2.0 is what your referring to?
 
#9 is the correct product, but if you read some past posts, especially ones by carguy, it's a better product to use by hand because it is MILDER than SMR, so it's easier to work by hand. So it'll be even less effective for heavy swirl removal.
 
I DON'T WANNA BUY A PC!! I AIN'T GOT THE CASH!! :( :sosad :nixweiss



Tell me there's SOME product I can use BY HAND that will get out some moderate-heavy swirl markage. I'm probably going to end up just attaching a cinder block to my arm while I'm rubbing in the SMR to see if that helps. A little added pressure couldn't hurt, right? (as long as the cinderblock doesn't touch the car)....



Seriously though... help me! I want to get these swirls out, but I need to do it without a PC and I need to do it soon so I can actually use my 3M IHG, Klasse AIO, Klasse SG, and Pinnacle Souveran!! :( :(



I'm losing it fellas/ladies!! Help!!:nixweiss
 
I've used SMR, PI-III and some other polishes on my black car by hand with horrible results. They all hazed and caused holograms on the paint.
 
Unless you've got Popeye arms, you're probably going to have to settle for 'filling' the swirls, not removing them.



3M IHG, Meguiar's #5 or #7 (ick), or Meguiar's Body Shop Professional Swirl Free Polish might help fill the swirls enough to hide them. Of course, I'd also suggest a layer of P21S Paintwork Cleansing Lotion...it's my all-time favorite polish! ;)
 
2wheelsx2 said:
#9 is the correct product, but if you read some past posts, especially ones by carguy, it's a better product to use by hand because it is MILDER than SMR, so it's easier to work by hand. So it'll be even less effective for heavy swirl removal.
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Maybe that's only half of it. SMR can leave haze if it is not broken down properly, so if that is what you mean by more mild, then its true. #9 has lots of fillers and oils, so it shares some properties with its pure polish brother #7. #9 will only leave a haze if you let it dry, but basically in this case it would wipe off similar to a wax. I think this is the main reason why it is so easy to work with by hand.





ExplorerXLT95, why don't you take a look at this thread:

http://www.autopia.ws/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12548&highlight=swirl+removal+hand





It provides some good information on tackling swirls by hand. Your choice in the end might be to just keep filling them as best you can, instead of physically removing them.
 
Explorer,



Try Finesse-It II. I've had good results using this product by hand. Use a foam applicator, a small amount of product & really work it in with medium pressure at first and as the product starts to clear up, ease up on the pressure and keep working it in. Work in small sections at a time (1' x 1') It will still take 2 or 3 applications, but it'll do a good job with light to medium swirls. It takes me an hour or so to do one panel.



Follow this application up with a paint cleanser or your SMR (light pressure) if there is any hazing left-over.



3M SMR all by itself by hand didn't do squat for me either.
 
At least the version 2.0 of Meguiars #9 swirl remover does not have oils. Like most of the professional line, it differs because paint can be applied directly after use. If it had oils that would be impossible with the new acrylics paints IMO.
 
Meguiars scratch X does not have a number. It comes in a black tube and its main purpose is to remove scratches. Since most scratches are deeper than swirls it is somewhat effective on swirls. I have had some success in the past using Scratch X this way. My point is that Scratch X can be used effectively by hand where as most SMR really require a PC. I like Meguiars #9 verison 2 but then I use it with a PC.



When I mention the use of AIO and IHG, I knew that was not the exact procedure that was recommended by David. I was only describing my results and thanking you for posting on the subject.
 
Jeez...



When I mention the use of AIO and IHG, I knew that was not the exact procedure that was recommended by David. I was only describing my results and thanking you for posting on the subject
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Um....:doh let me take my foot OUT of my mouth now... Sorry bro...



*2x4 to my own head*



Sounds like the current solution is going to just have to be TRY HARDER! I did notice that you guys are saying it takes more than one app. That, I did NOT do. I am going to try it soon and use some DARN GOOD pressure while applying the SMR 5 times and see what I can come up with. Just one last question thought...



You basically rub the stuff until it's completely dry, right?? Then just go over it once or twice with an MF to get any extra residue off, right???
 
What I am trying to say is I don't think you can remove swirls by hand persay. Try Scratch X and save yourself a lot of work.



BTW: I think we have caused just enough interest in SMR VS. Scratch X to get some very interesting responses.



Play in the suds and not in the sun... its safer on the paint!
 
By hand, you won't get anywhere using SMR. You might put a small dent in your swirls, but most likely, whatever progress you see will be more swirl-filling as opposed to swirl-removing.



Also, if you use very strong pressure with a polish like SMR, all you'll be doing is inducing little miro-swirls all over your car without doing any meaningful swirl-removal.



Like I said in a previous post, I would suggest getting a stronger polish....



mr. detailer, Meguiar's #9 does have polishing oils. I believe what you might have been referring to is that it's body-shop safe so it doesn't contain any heavy silicone oils. Let me know if I'm way off base though....
 
I just wanted to mirror other people's experiences with using 3M SMR by hand. I did it properly and worked the bejeezus out of it and had no problems or side effects other than sore arms.



On very minor swirling I saw a moderate reduction on these (quite noticable in strong lighting), but on the somewhat worse swirls I have on my trunk lid it didn't do much. Next strip session I'll try to redo SMR a few more times there, but failing that I might give FI2 Machine Polish a try by hand, which several people says will will work.
 
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