DACP #83 vs #80 ??

[Don]

Not all that long ago I was getting the impression that DACP was the 'go to' product when paint was in mild/moderately bad condition, and I used it that way.

Recently, I'm hearing that everyone is using #80 as their 'go to,' when paint needs a bit more persuiasion than just a light polish or mild cleaner.

I know the quick answer is that if DACP is working for me, then why worry? But as the rest of you already know (and have experienced) when you hear another product being talked about, you drive yourself crazy wondering if you'd get better results with the 'new' product.

Since I have to actually hunt down a PBE store that carries #80, I'd like a few opinions first on the similarities & differences between 83 & 80.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: DACP #83 vs #80 ??

M80 contains a lot more polishing oils than the M83 and this shows up as a wetter or slippery product when machine cleaning and this gives the product more play time.

M80 tends to be easier to work with over M83 again because it offers more play time so Newbies tend to have better luck learning the way of the machine when starting out with an easier to use product.

The polishing oils really help to bring out the full richness of color on single stage paints too... for example this Porsche replica has a single stage paint, the member brought it to one of our Saturday "Open" classes and let us show him how to remove the swirls the company that builds these things installed for him. Besides removing the swirls, M80 brought out a deeper, richer looking orange color.

Open Class - Pictures & Comments - June 28th, 2008





M80 is a very versatile product, it works on just about any paint system, it's easy to use, easy to wipe off, gives great results in most cases and is also "go to" product for restoring antique single stage paints by hand or machine.

[yalerd]

Re: DACP #83 vs #80 ??

You are going to use both depending on the condition of the paint. Remember since Meguiar's recommends you to use the least aggressive method then you can see that most people will start with #80 and will do the entire vehicle because it works for them but again to some #83 will be the first product to use in a multi-step process.

#80 Has very enriching oils that will provide gloss and clarity on the surface. It will clean and polish in one step but since it's milder products compared to #83 then it will remove light to moderate contaminants and defects. Really easy to work with and to remove.

#83 Is more aggressive than #80, will remove light to medium contamination. A bit more difficult to remove but if you are working the product well and not dry buffing then you should be fine removing it.

The best thing to do it to test spot, this will give you your answer on which process is best

[Don]

Re: DACP #83 vs #80 ??

I think I get it. Probably 99.99% (if not more) of the cars I detail for others require a more aggressive approach, so it seems that #83 has a secure place in my arsenal. For my own car (other than the first detailing of the spring) I rarely need anything more aggressive than DC-1, Color-X or #9.

**Edited to ask:
...or does the additional "wetness & play time" of the #80 allow me to "tailor" the amount of polishing/cleaning/swirl removal to suit the condition of a particular finish?

[Precision]

Re: DACP #83 vs #80 ??

I love the gloss on that orange porsche. Looks way better than new!! The DACP rocks!!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: DACP #83 vs #80 ??

One new factor that comes into play is the G110

In the past M83 was a little more difficult to use with any Porter Cable DA Polisher due to the amount of available power with the PC unit.

With Meguiar's new G110 you have more power from the motor and now using M83 is easier because the extra power enables the tool to rotate the pad better than the PC

So if you're using a Porter Cable DA Polisher you might want to consider upgrading to a G110 sometime in the future especially if you do a lot of swirl removal.