SMAT vs DAT?

[Clutch34]

I've seen these acronyms here and there on this forum, mostly SMAT, but I was just wondering what they meant and how the products that are either SMAT or DAT are different from each other. I remember Mike Phillips talking about SMAT at Nick's get together -- but for whatever reason, I think I zoned out during his explanation...

[Murr1525]

Re: SMAT vs DAT?

SMAT - Super Micro Abrasive Technoloty

DAT - Diminishing Abrasive Technology

Its pretty much like it sounds, one stays micro, and one breaks down or diminishes.

The SMAT is newer, and seems to work a bit better as far as removing defects and leaving a nice finish in most instances.

[Clutch34]

Re: SMAT vs DAT?

So in essence you can't damage anything by using DAT products? Once the abrasive diminishes, it does what, acts as a polish?

And since SMAT products DON'T diminish, can you cause damage to a car by using too much passion or applying it for too long?

[Murr1525]

Re: SMAT vs DAT?

Well, it is not to say that all DAT products are the same DAT. Some may be bigger, smaller, break down easier, etc. So you certainly may do more damage with a stronger product if not used properly. But yes, the idea is that in the end it is just polishing oils, so it has worked through all the different 'grits', leaving nothing behind.

Havent really thought about causing more damage, but you'll notice that the SMAT products are ranked a lot higher in strength, so there could be some risk. I think you would have to stand there for quite a while with SwirlX to reach that point though. But UC is called Ultimate for a reason....

[Clutch34]

Re: SMAT vs DAT?

Aight, sounds good.

Do you know if ColorX is SMAT or DAT?

[Murr1525]

Re: SMAT vs DAT?

Still DAT I believe.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: SMAT vs DAT?

Murr has it right, of course.

Looking at the chart below shows how the different types of abrasives behave.



DAT products can start out with a fairly large abrasive particle that will cut very quickly but may or may not break down to the equivalent of a finishing polish. Products like M85/M84, classes as Macro Diminishing Abrasives, provide this high level of cut but are not suitable as a finishing polish. Products like M80, classed as Micro Diminishing Abrasives, start out with less cut than M85 but break down much further and are coupled with polishing oils to help nourish the paint. That should tell you that DAT, as a group, can have some pretty wide variables between products utilizing this technology.

SMAT abrasives start out small and remain small. The cutting ability comes from the hardness and shape of the abrasive particles. Clarity of finish (the fact that M105 tends to leave an almost hologram free finish where other products with similar cut almost never do) is because of the uniformity in both size and shape of the abrasives. Think of SMAT liquids as the liquid equivalent to our UniGrit sanding papers. Of course, variables exist here, too. M105 cuts more aggressively than does M205. D151 even contains a wax component, making it an all-in-one type product. But they all utilize SMAT technology.

[PorscheGuy997]

Re: SMAT vs DAT?

Just to add to Mike's excellent response...

I often see people concerned about non-diminishing abrasives. Although this sounds like a huge problem, it is hardly an issue. The fact is that the abrasives are very small. It's not like we're buffing with sand here.

Yes, there are going to be risks with using a non-diminishing product. But, there are risks with using a diminishing abrasive product, too. For example, you can polish way too long with M105 and take off an excessive amount of paint. Can you do this with M85, a diminishing abrasive product? Sure. The point being that you can have problems with any polish that contains an abrasive.

Non-diminishing abrasives are the better product. You can stop at any point in the buffing cycle. With a diminishing abrasive product, you can stop too early in the cycle and the paint will not look so great because the abrasives have not properly broken down. Also, diminishing abrasives break down randomly. This means that you could be close to the end of polishing, yet some abrasive particles may not be at the same stage. Diminishing abrasive products are fine, and I still use a few, but non-diminishing abrasive products tend to produce more consistent results.

[Clutch34]

Re: SMAT vs DAT?

Thanks for the chart and explanations Mike and PorscheGuy!