whats the skinny on #3

[gclark26]

I dont find any info on the board about #3.
Should it be used after M205 before a wax or sealant?
What is the benefit of using #3?
Is #3 a good idea to use?
What is the diff between #3 and #7?

[ca2kjet]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

#3 is for machine application and #7 is for hand application. You'd want to apply it after your correction, in this case M205 and before a wax. Personally I don't think you'd need it after M205 but if you think it adds more depth to the paint you're working on then I'd say go for it.

Edit: I should add that #3 and #7 provide polishing oils to the paint. This produces more vibrant/deeper colors and helps condition the paint. It's really up to you if you want to use it. Since M205 has great polishing ability you may find it a waste of time to use #3 or #7 depending on the condition of the paint and whether the paint actually benefits from it visually. You could always do a test area, such as the hood, to see if it's worth doing the whole vehicle.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

Just to add to the great info posted by ca2kjet:

M03 is a bit more "old school" in that it's a pure polish designed to be machine applied. It really was designed to be applied to paint that had been otherwise fully corrected, and it's main intent is to add gloss.

Since you're already using M205 you most likely would not notice much of an improvement by then applying M03. M205 is a much more advanced product who's ultra fine SMAT abrasives do wonders for refining a paint finish while the polishing oils do much the same job of gloss enhancement and darkening of color that a pure polish like M03, M05 or M07 would give.

The admittedly wide variety of polishes, cleaner polishes and compounds in our Mirror Glaze Pro Line are sort of like the tools in a mechanics tool box. While every wrench does basically the same job, there are a wide variety of applications that call for a variety of wrenches. The same can be said for screwdrivers, or hammers, etc. And just as you wouldn't use two or three different wrenches on the same nut or bolt, you don't need to use two or three different polishes on the same paint.

So, why choose which one? Well, if you're working on older single stage paint and you do everything with a rotary buffer, then M03 would be a great choice. If you're working by hand, then M07 is really hard to beat. But for either DA or rotary use on a clear coat finish, M205 is simply outstanding.

[gclark26]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

Guys
I have a Meguiars catalog and it indicates M3 can be used with a D/A. M3 is lower on the abrasive scale than M205. I am searching for a jeweling polish. With that said, where does M3 fit with UP?
I intend to jewel a black 2001 Vette (see pic at left) and a 2010 Victory Red Camaro. Although I cannot get the paint 100% defect free, its near 95%.
I've been doing a lot of research on jeweling. Some people say its impossible using a D/A. On the other hand, I am thinking it can be done with a LC jeweling pad and a little pressure to even out the rotation. any thoughts?

These cars are well maintained. The Vette is a show car, ergo the desire to get the most gloss possible. Rarely will I need anything stronger than M205 in the future. And the end goal is to keep the showroom shine and finish.
Here is my lineup going forward.
M205
M3 or UP
M7 maybe
NXT - X2

As needed
X-press spray wax
QD

[jankerson]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

Here is what I posted over in the other thread...

I use M205 on the 6.5" Beige Finishing Pad (W9006) at low speed (Do test spot to determine speed) if I want to Jewel as an extra step after the Yellow pad (W8006) and M205.

Then go straight to LSP from there, would be M21 (NXT) or ULW and then M26 after....

I seriously doubt one could get anymore noticeable shine after that as the paint will look wet just after M205....

That's my process and what I would do to the Vette...... As the gloss and clarity will be insane.

As a note the W9006 pad has no cut and it's VERY soft....

[gclark26]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

Jankerson
Yes the gloss is excellent after 205. But as i have a serious polish addiction i am going to try #3 for grins. Placed the order for #3 tonight

[Detailing by M]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

it was good back in the day, but there are better products more suited for todays paint.
I still have some but haven't seen a need for it in decades

[kiwiatlarge]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

#3 is for machine application and #7 is for hand application. You'd want to apply it after your correction, in this case M205 and before a wax. Personally I don't think you'd need it after M205 but if you think it adds more depth to the paint you're working on then I'd say go for it.

Edit: I should add that #3 and #7 provide polishing oils to the paint. This produces more vibrant/deeper colors and helps condition the paint. It's really up to you if you want to use it. Since M205 has great polishing ability you may find it a waste of time to use #3 or #7 depending on the condition of the paint and whether the paint actually benefits from it visually. You could always do a test area, such as the hood, to see if it's worth doing the whole vehicle.

Just on #7... I got my hands on some recently, so I thought I'd give it a try for a special occasion... For the extra effort required to apply it (vs the much easier UP), I found no great advantage using it instead of UP (and I'd imagine even less point applying it on top of) ... a less than 10 year old clear-coat finish, which of course was not what it was designed for... but that's just my results from my experiment...

[jankerson]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

Jankerson
Yes the gloss is excellent after 205. But as i have a serious polish addiction i am going to try #3 for grins. Placed the order for #3 tonight

Let us know how it works out.

[gclark26]

I finally got around to trying M3 on black paint. First i used M205 and white lc pad. Finish looked flawless. I applied M3 with LC blue finish pad. When i wiped off the M3 i found marring. So i went back over again with the white pad and M205. The marring was gone.
What did i do wrong?

[The Guz]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

Maybe not enough product on the pad?

[gclark26]

Yes i had plenty. I had primed the pad as i always do. should #3 be thin liquid? Mine is nothing like the other Mequiar polishes i have.

[The Guz]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

Maybe there was something on the pad that caused the marring. What speed where you using it?

[gclark26]

Re: whats the skinny on #3

Maybe there was something on the pad that caused the marring. What speed where you using it?

Guz
This was a new, never used before pad. I sprayed XMT pad conditioner on it before adding M3. I do this on every pad I use, new or old.
I used a PC 7424xp on speed 3.

I gave up on M3 and applied UP after M205 with another LC blue finish pad. The results are excellent.
I am now topping with M21 and M26.