Abrasive Chart

[Black Bart]

I just bought #83 # 80 # 7 # 3 is their a chart that shows what is faster cutting .

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Abrasive Chart

Originally posted by Black Bart
I just bought #83 # 80 # 7 # 3 is their a chart that shows what is faster cutting .

Hi Black Bart,

This question comes up once in a while, everyone wants a simple way to know which products are the most aggressive to the least aggressive. There is no chart as some chemicals must be applied using a rotary buffer and on the extreme opposite side of the scale, some products are formulated for best results when applied by hand.

For example with a wool pad, M85 Diamond Cut Compound is more aggressive than ScratchX when applied with a rotary buffer. On the other hand, ScratchX is more effective for removing scratches by hand than Diamond Cut Compound would be by hand.

So its kind of hard to create a simple chart.


What you have listed above are a collection of two cleaner/polishes and two pure polishes.

Two of the products you have listed, M83 and M80 are formulated to remove defects, or in other words remove a little paint. The two pure polishes you have listed, M03 and M07, are formulated to create gloss, clarity, richness of color, or in simple terms, beauty. They are both non-abrasive and are intended to be used once the work is done, or in other words after products like compounds, paint cleaners, or cleaner/polishes have done their job.

Probably the best thing you can do is to read this,

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

And then ask your questions about a specific product or procedure here on the forum.

Two questions for you,

What are you working on?
How are you planning to apply the above products?

[Black Bart]

Mike I have several cars that I plan to use these products on.

I have a black corvette that I used my pc and # 7 then topped it with NXT and it looks awesome. The Vette is a show car and paint is perfect but what is the difference between #3 and #7 would one be better than the other for the Vette.


For scratches on my daily driver would the #80 remove minor scratches or should I use the # 83 with my pc. I have a full line of pads but have never used # 83 before afraid it may be a little to harsh.

I guess I could try the 80 first and if that don't work go to the #83 .

You may like to hear that the Vette with #7 topped with NXT won first in class at the show yesterday.

Thanks for the reply

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Black Bart
Mike I have several cars that I plan to use these products on.

I have a black corvette that I used my pc and # 7 then topped it with NXT and it looks awesome. The Vette is a show car and paint is perfect but what is the difference between #3 and #7 would one be better than the other for the Vette.

#3 is formulated so that it can be used with a rotary buffer and under time, heat and pressure will still work well.

#7 is formulated for use by hand, dual action polisher or orbital buffer, the idea being slower moving speeds that don't generate heat.

Both of the above products are very rich in concentration in Meguiar's polishing oils and applied side-by-side on a black hood, I don't think anyone could see a visual difference. I know some people like to use #3 by hand as it tends to be a tad easier to work with than the #7 as the #7 is has the highest concentration of polishing oils. For your use, try them both and go with the one you like applying and removing the best.

For scratches on my daily driver would the #80 remove minor scratches or should I use the # 83 with my pc. I have a full line of pads but have never used # 83 before afraid it may be a little to harsh.

"You never know what you can do until you try"

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

I guess I could try the 80 first and if that don't work go to the #83

Meguiar's has always taught the philosophy of using the least aggressive product to get the job done, so try the M80 first, and if it's not aggressive enough then try the M83 followed by the M80.

Read through this and start at the M80 Speed Glaze step first.

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

You may like to hear that the Vette with #7 topped with NXT won first in class at the show yesterday.

We love hearing that!

But it makes us do this...



Do you have any pictures of your Corvette at the show with the prize? Can you post them? If you need help, send me an e-mail and I'll help you get the pictures into a thread.

[Black Bart]

Sorry but didn't have a camera with me so no pictures.
I need to buy a digital for this sort of thing.

Thanks for the help and a great product