Are 3m products any good? A buddy of mine got his hands on 3m cut compound, swirl remover, and final glaze that his school was for some reason throwing out. I know I've used their polishing compounds on PCs that I've modded. I have a UDM + 4 different foam pads. I definitely want to use the swirl remover, but I'm wondering if Meguiars # 80 would be better. The folks @ autotopia reccomended Meguiars 80, topped off with 26.

Here'* the thread at autopia:

http://autopia.org/forum/car-detaili...-my-paint.html

I've detailed my own vehicles for three years now, so I'm picking up on it. But now I have a UDM and all the goodies for it. I want to use it to it'* fullest potential.

I found the 3 step mcguiers detailing products are awsome for removing swirls. The first step removes swirls better then scratch x. the second step is the polish and the third is the wax

I think most major brands are good, you just have to learn how to use them properly and find out what works with your paint. I know I found Menzerna to work really well with my paint so you may want to give that a try. Some of it is very expensive though.

One thing you could do is make a post at Autopia asking for samples. I'm sure you will find people that will sell or trade you samples of different brands.

I also am getting very big into detailing and am considering the purchase of a UDM, so let me know what you think of it.

Ahhh, skip the UDM and go rotary! Don't be scared, its not that hard. I'm hoping to use Menzerna on a rotary on my car next. Mmmmm...
Grant

I think I'm going to try a rotary. I'm going the cheap route first though. I'm deciding between a Vector and a Chicago from Harbor Freight.

I also didn't look at your link to Autopia until just now. Since you have the 3m stuff and are on a budget I would try it. What pads do you have the the udm?

It'* actually kind of funny how I acquired the UDM. I told my aunt, whose deceased husband was a HUGE antique collector, that it would be reallllll sweet to get a UDM for Christmas as a joke. Next thing I know, Christmas day, I unwrap a UDM. The one I was looking at was $149.99. My GF helped her order it, and it ended up being like $189.99. It must be for the extra pads that it came with.



I've got here an orange (UDM DAS SwirlBuster Foam Pad), white (UDM DAS ScratchBuster Foam Pad), green (UDM DAS Foam Polishing Pad), and blue (UDM DAS Wax & Fiinishing Pad).

Basically everything I need. After I get rid of the imperfections and spend a day or two on the first bout, I figured every 6 months I can follow up with the Meguiars Gold Class kit that my g/f got me.

Looks good. I'm guessing your car probably is pretty swirled so you can go right to the abrasive stuff. But if you want to be safe, start with the swirlbuster on the orange pad first. Realistically you probably need to start out with the cut compound on the white pad which is the most abrasive pad you have there. Then you will need to step down on the next go around with the swirlbuster on the green polishing pad. You might want to ask at Autopia whether the swirlbuster will give a good enough final polish. I don't know how abrasive it is. You might need to get a good final polish. Then you can use the glaze on the blue waxing pad and then top it with the Meg'* wax.

One other tip is don't wait six months to reapply the wax. There is no way that stuff will last six months. I don't think any over the counter waxes last that long. In fact, there are very few waxes that do, mostly sealants. You will want to rewax at least every three months. And do a couple coats to ensure coverage. I would go ahead and use the UDM to apply it as well, on a slow speed. It'* a matter of personal preference whether you like to do it by hand or not. I find using the PC is easier on my wrists and I waste less wax because it spreads it nice and thin. You don't need to go too thick.

Is the 3M for light or dark colored cars? The 3M is a fine product I would try it first. The Megs 80 is good as well. You may also want to look at the Megs 83.

Welcome to the world of car detailing. Looks like you are set to go with the UDM and pads.

Remember you can never have enough pads or polishing compounds.

I've been detailing my vehicles for about three years now. All my friends/family make fun of me because I avoid the dirt roads and always have the shiny clean car lol. But I don't care... I like feeling like the car I'm driving is brand new. I've even done a few other people'* cars because they were impressed with mine.

Now it'll be ten times easier and five times quicker with the UDM. I just gotta get the method down.