3M polish

[kusanku]

Saw a number of 3M products the other day. Has anyone tried their stuff?

 

[Howard]

Their sticky tape is brilliant !

 

[horgantrevor]

they do a great carbon sticker for repairing interior of sport w202

 

[prc]

I've used a few of there products with very good results. Especially like ultrafina SE (swirl eliminator) when too lazy to do a complete job.

 

[Elite Detailer]

Hi

Yes some of their line up is good.

Regards
Elite Detailer Team

 

[Phantom 211]

I used to have a concours 1978 Ford Escort RS Mexico a few years back in Venetian Red which won many trophies thanks to 3M products.

 

[Dieselman]

I'm not convinced that the product gives the final presentation, 99% of car cleaning and finish is effort, the product assists or makes the job easier, but rarely makes a discernible difference to the actual finish.

 

[Chrishazle]

Bodyshop we visited in Tunbridge Wells last year - had lots of high price machines like Astons, Lambos and Porsches - used 3M stuff for paint correction. They mopped my bonnet with 3M 3000 grit stuff and a professional machine polisher, did a superb job.

 

[EDZ649]

3M products have been around for years and are highly regarded throughout the motor industry.

 

[john925]

I would like to clay my car when the weather improves. I would hate to ruin it. What are the dangers. Claying sounds drastic. Maybe because I am a Potter lol

 

[Chrishazle]

It'd be really difficult to damage the car with clay - just use adequate amounts of lubricant (you'll soon know how much is enough). Give the car a good wash/rinse first. Before you start with clay, run your fingers very lightly over the paintwork, you'll feel the roughness (aparently using the cellophane from a pack of smokes enhances the sensitivity, not tried it). Then start rubbing the clay lightly over the paintwork, you'll feel the clay dragging, keep turning the clay, eventually it goes smooth - rub your fingers over the paintwork and you'll feel the difference.

I use Bilt Hamber regular clay 'cos it's cheap (£10 for enough to do the car 4 times) and uses water as the lubricant. Other clays want you to use expensive stuff as lubricant, but I've had good results on both cars with BH and water.

If you drop the clay, throw it away - it will pick up a load of grit off the ground and mess up your paint! Use it for the paintwork, then the wheels, then throw it. I use 1/4 of a BH block each time.

Once the paint is clayed, you may want to "paint correct" to remove swirl marks etc before polishing and waxing - this is why I work one panel at a time - clay, correct, polish, wax x 2.

 

[Phantom 211]

I'm not convinced that the product gives the final presentation, 99% of car cleaning and finish is effort, the product assists or makes the job easier, but rarely makes a discernible difference to the actual finish.

Having been involved in the concours scene for a few years and speaking from my own experience I have to disagree with that I am afraid.

3M, a machine polisher, lots of time and plenty of patience gives truly awesome results

 

[Dieselman]

Having been involved in the concours scene for a few years and speaking from my own experience I have to disagree with that I am afraid.

3M, a machine polisher, lots of time and plenty of patience gives truly awesome results

And then equally someone will swear by Megs, Zymol...etc.

As you say, plenty of time and effort.

 

[Phantom 211]

It's all about opinions otherwise there would only be one type of car polish etc

I used Autoglym for many years and recently shifted to Xymol. I don't need a concours finish on my everyday car, but if I go back to the scene I will be using 3M again over anything else as a finisher. Can't be compared to other polishes as it is a totally different type of product.

 

[Robgm]

3M polishes and pads are more than capable, from a business perspective it makes sense to carry a vast range of machine polishes like Menzerna, Meguiars, 3M, Scholl etc... as most car manufacturers paintwork can react differently and require the use of other polishes/pads and techniques.

Their new retail range is ok, but the Foam glass cleaner being the best I've used.

 

[Robgm]

I would like to clay my car when the weather improves. I would hate to ruin it. What are the dangers. Claying sounds drastic. Maybe because I am a Potter lol

Claying isn't drastic, ensure the car is thoroughly cleaned, then use a decent tar remover on the lower half of the car, I often see this stage left out when someone is de-contaminating, and it generally ruins/make a mess of the clay.

Use a mild clay like Sonus green, Zaino Z16 or even the Meguiars one that can be purchased in Halfords is pretty mild, you can buy a dedicated lubricant for claying or a very weak mix of wax based car shampoo & water will surfice.

As explained above, let the clay glide over the surface with plenty of lubricant used, turn and fold the clay often and only apply light pressure using horizontal or vertical motions.

There is a chance you may marr the paints finish, so it is always advisable to follow up with polish based paint cleanser to remove this hazing, followed by a wax or sealant to protect.