Prosecutor

Hey guys,

I bought a random orbital buffer tonight and some 3M scratch remover...should I use a terry cloth or foam pad? The directions on the bottle say terry for hand use and a "compounding pad" for machine application. WTF is a "compounding pad"? What do you guys use?

Also, any tips. This is my first crack at this stuff. Thanks.

EVIL_C5

3m scratch remover? is it the perfect-it swirl remover? or something else?

i always use a foam pad with 3m glazes, but back in the day i used a terry pad with my orbital on my old 87 crx and it worked ok too.

Prosecutor

I should have been more specific...it is the "Perfect-it II Rubbing Compound". I don't have any real "scratches"...they are more like light swirl marks.

KLO

As the name states (provided you bought part number 39009), use a foam pad:

"3M™ Perfect-It™ II Foam Polishing Pad Glaze and Swirl Mark Remover 39009"

Prosecutor

It says "part no. 39002" on the bottle. Is that a problem?

KLO

That is the Fine Cut Rubbing Compound which is way more abrasive than the correct product which is 3M Perfect It II Swirl Mark remover part number 39009 or the newer Perfect It III Swirl Mark remover which is part number 39012 (I am now using the 39012 until the new Zaino Paint Cleanser and Swirl Mark Remover comes out in several weeks)

Prosecutor

Cool, thanks for letting me know. Good thing I didn't use it yet. I will return it and get 39009 or 39012. Thanks.

EVIL_C5

i would get the PI3 39012 glaze and a foam pad for light scratches. it wont make as much mess and is alot easier to wipe off.

Prosecutor

Thanks for your response.

I also have a bottle of McGuire's Scratch-X sitting around....is that too harsh?

agentf1

Get the 3m. Scratch X is not abrasive enough to do much of anything.

bugman

I've tried scratch X and also found that it did nothing at all, no matter how many applications I used.

The 3M rubbing compound is fantastic ! don't throw it away. Don't need a buffer to use it -- just use a terry cloth towel by hand. Sure, if you have the lightest of scratches, the 3M swirlmark remover may be good enough for ya, but keep the rubbing compound around -- you'll need it for any tougher scratches or water marks. Check the great results I got here

Prosecutor

I saw that other thread....looks like it did a great job for you. Thanks for your reply. I was concerned that the rubbing compound was too harsh...apparently it will be alright, especially if I can follow-up with swirl remover.