3M Imperial Compound?

[Z-Worthy]

Our boat is a 1997, and we bought it last summer. The gelcoat on the hull is probably an 8 out of 10, but the topside is probably what I would call a 5 out of 10. I bought some of this newer 3M Imperial Compound and Finishing Material thinking it would be the perfect all-in-one solution. I can definitely buff the hull to perfection with this stuff; works great! But it doesn't seem aggressive enough to cut through the oxidation on the topside. But 3M claims that when used properly this has just as much cut as their 3M Marine Compound. Has anyone else used it? Any tips or suggestions? I watched some YouTube videos and maybe I need to slow the buffer down. But I figured I would ask the forum before I went and bought a bottle of the Super Duty.

 

[jason78]

Are you using a wool pad with high speed rotary?

 

[Z-Worthy]

Yea, 3M Superbuff pad on a Makita. I was running it at 2400-3000 rpm, but the more videos I watch the more I think I need to slow that down to 1000-1500 to get the most out of the cutting power.

 

[kiloil]

I'm assuming when you said 3M Superbuff, its the compounding Super Buff 3 pad?

 

[Z-Worthy]

I'm assuming when you said 3M Superbuff, its the compounding Super Buff 3 pad?

Correct. Wool pads for compounding, then I usually follow up with microfiber pads for glaze, then soft foam wrapped in terrycloth towels to remove the wax. But "supposedly" this Imperial Compound allows you to skip the glaze. It's supposed to start as a heavy cutting material and then the particles work down to a fine polish, allowing you to go straight to wax. I just have to keep playing with it.

 

[kiloil]

Only reason why I ask, is because I used your product before on an older boat that I had and the outcome wasn't what I expected. So I switched to Maguires Marine Cut on a Lake Land orange pad (Autogeek has it) then polish- then 100% wax. The results were phenominal!

 

[Z-Worthy]

I figured it out! I was running the Makita at 2,000-2,300 rpm (the same settings I use for compound). But with this Imperial, you have to run the buffer on the slowest setting possible and really lean into it. Once I kicked it down to 1,000 rpm and started really leaning into it, I was able to blast through the tough oxidation and then slowly work it up to a fine polish. The final result, when used properly, is absolutely amazing.

 

[HUMPH]

Great news but you could have made it easier by using Presta Supercut compound. That stuff is easy to use and has great results!

 

[Carver370]

Another trick is to keep a spray bottle of water or better yet spray detailer close by and mist the area here you are working. Combined with the slower polishing is great!

 

[Z-Worthy]

Great news but you could have made it easier by using Presta Supercut compound. That stuff is easy to use and has great results!

I hear nothing but great things about Presta Supercut. But I figured the Imperial would be similar or equal for a lower price. I'll have to try Presta next time.

 

[390x]

I hear nothing but great things about Presta Supercut. But I figured the Imperial would be similar or equal for a lower price. I'll have to try Presta next time.

For future reference, Presta and the Imperial are nothing alike. 3M had a product (Perfect-it III Extra Cut), that was close to the Presta, but they stopped making it.

 

[Z-Worthy]

For future reference, Presta and the Imperial are nothing alike. 3M had a product (Perfect-it III Extra Cut), that was close to the Presta, but they stopped making it.

Aren't they both diminishing abrasives? Help me understand the difference.

 

[390x]

Aren't they both diminishing abrasives? Help me understand the difference.

The difference is how much more aggressive the Presta is. Everything else is for amateurs compared to this stuff..........