No. 9 or 3M SMR not working, time for rubbing compound?

halflife78

New member
I have a new Super Black 350Z and it came from the dealer with all types of swirl marks in it. I have tried using both the No. 9 and the 3M SMR with the yellow pad and the PC but I still can't get most of the swirls out. Would using 3M's rubbing compound (39002) first then the 3M SMR work better? I am scared to go near a brand new black paint job with rubbing compound without knowing if I should first.
 
Both 3M and Meguiars have intermediate polishes that are more aggressive than what you have tried, but not as aggressive as the rubbing compound.



You can either try a duplicate application of the current products, or step up to either 3M Finesse-It II Machine Polish or Meguiars Dual Action/Cleaner Polish (#83?). You can use either of these products with a polishing pad as the next step up or you can get a touch more aggressive and use the yellow cutting pad again. You may get micromarring and have to follow up with the #9 with a polishing pad.
 
Yeah, you shouldn't need rubbing compound on a new car or you shouldn't have bought it. Try #83 but most likely will will have to follow it w/ #9 or #80. #9 pretty weak and it contains fillers so they will be back sooner or later.
 
New or old, if it has marring to be removed it needs the appropriately aggressive abrasive to do the job.



I didn't find the 3M PI-II FCRC 39002 all that much stronger than DACP. I do prefer the 3M PI-III RC 05933 though, and it's even milder. With either one, you oughta follow up with something like Meg's #80, 3m PI-III MG 05937, or something similar.



I've quit using FI-II and now I just reach for the 05933 when I need something with some "cut" to it. It's not like what you'd normally think of when you think "rubbing compound".
 
Avoid rubbing compound like the plague. It will do more damage than good. I agree with the other responses, there is a slightly more agressiev product that will not do as much damage.



You might want to post some pictures to get some better advise.
 
txz28 said:
Avoid rubbing compound like the plague. It will do more damage than good...



Not flaming txz28, but I'll repeat that the 3M RCs under discussion (39002 and 05933) are *NOT* what people usually think of when you mention "rubbing compounds". I've used them on all sorts of paint (new, old, and classic cars, b/c and single stage) and they're very mild, even by hand. Nothing to shy away from.



Again I don't want txz28 to think I'm slamming his post, just clarifying that all RCs aren't created equal.
 
:wall Yes, that red can of Turtle Wax "Rubbing Compound" has really messed up the public's perception of what a "rubbing compound" really is. I hate that product with a passion just for EXISTING!
 
I just ordered a bottle of DACP to see if that will clear up the cobwebs/swirls. Gonna try it using the white PC pad and follow up with No. 9 and another white pad and finish it off with NXT.



Edit. Ordered from here with 2-3 priority so hopefully it will be here by Friday so I can work on the car:bounce
 
just got done with the wife's Range Rover:



here's what #83, #82 and NXT all applied with a PC:



here's the scary gas filler area and scratches:



Before:

1306Before_11.jpg




After:

1306after_11.jpg
 
Very nice Quack. I would be interested in hearing what kind of pads you used for the process and whether or not the scratches/swirls are actually gone or just covered up by the oils.
 
i used the 8006 pads for the #83 and #82. 9006 for the NXT.

i did one pass of each.



#83 took most of the scrathes out, except for the really deep ones. #83 also took out the swirls & cobwebs. i should have taken a picture after each step, but didn't think about it. #82 helped hide the deeper scratches. NXT gave it a nice mirror finish.



here's another pic of the same panel:

1306Reflection1.jpg
 
Yes, that red can of Turtle Wax "Rubbing Compound" has really messed up the public's perception of what a "rubbing compound" really is. I hate that product with a passion just for EXISTING!



Ya, I threw that red can of brick dust out too, now I just have the green can(I going to throw that out too now !) which is pretty crap too, the only Turtle Wax RC that is usable is their petroleum based Professional Rubbing compound.



I will also be trying PIII RC 05933 with yellow pad followed by #82 with a white pad to rid the swirlies.
 
EdLancer said:
I will also be trying PIII RC 05933 with yellow pad followed by #82 with a white pad to rid the swirlies.



That sounds like a good plan. Depending on how your paint responds to the 05933, you might do some of the work with that product using a polishing pad (maybe only do the most aggressive work with the cutting pad). I haven't tried following 05933/cutting with #82/polishing so I dunno if it'll be too big a jump, but 05933/polishing is a pretty mild combo on some paints.
 
I am new I am still learning.



I have the Turtle Wax Red Plastic RC.







I see people hat it so What would you suggest is a good RC or equivalent?
 
NYDetail said:
I am new I am still learning.



I have the Turtle Wax Red Plastic RC.







I see people hat it so What would you suggest is a good RC or equivalent?



I'd go with any of these; 3M PI-II FCRC (39002) and PI-III RC (05933), Hi-Temp Lite Cut (or maybe their Medium Cut if you have serious problems to correct), or 1Z's Extra/Ultra. There are others, but these are ones I'm confident recommending.
 
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