Just ordered 3M SMR..questions?

L

lpandroc

New member
Hi everyone...I just ordered 3M SMR for light colored cars...I bought it to actually get the water spots from my volvo...The color is Metallic Silver...the water spots are my concern...swirls...well the color hides em' pretty good. I will be using the SMR by hand...any advice to get some of the water spots out by hand using SMR?...Overall the spots are not that bad since the car is a garage baby and it loaded with Klasse SG...but I really want to focus on the water spots and fine scratches that were there before the Klasse application...Thanks
 
Someone will have to keep me honest here, but stubborn water spots, by hand with SMR is gonna be a tall order. I've had trouble with some spots using a porter cable and SMR (with white polishing pad). It required SMR and a yellow cutting pad. I don't see how by hand you'll get the results you desire.



Ironically enough, i got some tough water spots out once with a dawn wash... :nixweiss



Hope that helps some!
 
There are two types of "water spots". One type is just dried up rainwater that's mainly minerals and dust. Relatively easy to remove. The second type is if the water's dried up and had contained corrosive acids in it that's etched (oxidized) the paint. These are the hard ones to remove and seem to require an oxidation remover or stronger polish (or both). SMR doesn't dent these type of water spots by hand I can tell you!



Some products that I've heard have worked: 3M Medium Oxidation remover wax (mrdetailer used this on water spots) or DACP.
 
Yup, you might have to go to a medium or heavy cut type cleaner, if you can't find DACP. I have both a heavy cut cleaner and DACP and I can tell you that DACP is much easier to use.
 
The best thing I've used on water spots is a simple solution of water and white vinegar. It won't get rid of etching, but it's great for removing mineral deposits.
 
I had some really hard water spots on my car that wouldn't come off completely from a wash. I ended up claying and using SMR with the white pad and that seemed to do the trick. The water marks were only on my car for a few days though. I now have a few on my other car that I have to go over with SMR. These water spots were from a sprinkler with the temperature around 90 degrees F. Trying SMR by hand is a tough job. But, I would try that first before moving to a tougher compound or polish.
 
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