3M Metal Restorer & Polish Quick Review

Jeremy1976

Jeremy1976

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Got some of this 3M Metal Restorer & Polish for free from AG a couple orders ago. I love it. Used a wax applicator pad and it cleaned up the exhaust tips really well. I always use Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish. This stuff is just as good if not better! Easy on, easy off! Cleaned it up great!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Got any befores?

I currently use Meguairs NXT metal polish and its meh...I also have some P21s multi surface restorer.

I even used a terry applicator and it didn't do much, far from what yours looks like for sure.
 
I currently use something else that works great but a little pricey. By the looks of the towel they weren't real bad. I brought back some that had been completely neglected for 6-7 years to that condition in abou 10 minutes a tip by hand. I know it's probably hard to say, but do you think this product would be capable of that? I'm looking for something a little more reasonable.
 
emmjaygti said:
Got any befores?

I currently use Meguairs NXT metal polish and its meh...I also have some P21s multi surface restorer.

I even used a terry applicator and it didn't do much, far from what yours looks like for sure.
Click to expand...

have you tried p21s polishing soap?
I love that thing,

if i need extra cutting power, i use wool pad and finish it with p21s surface restorer.
 
emmjaygti said:
Got any befores?

I currently use Meguairs NXT metal polish and its meh...I also have some P21s multi surface restorer.

I even used a terry applicator and it didn't do much, far from what yours looks like for sure.
Click to expand...

So the P21s didn't do much to help the chrome on the Honda Pilot?
 
Eldorado2k said:
So the P21s didn't do much to help the chrome on the Honda Pilot?
Click to expand...

I tried it on the front grille. It wasn't my car so I did not want to get too aggressive nor work it too much. I even tried some HD Speed. Both using an all purpose microfiber towel. What could I have done differently to achieve results?

The P21s worked on the exhaust though.

I just wasn't sure if I used the correct method as it did not shine like I have seen some people show in their shownshine.

I used a terry applicator pad.
 
choijw2 said:
have you tried p21s polishing soap?
I love that thing,

if i need extra cutting power, i use wool pad and finish it with p21s surface restorer.
Click to expand...

No I have not, might pick that up next time. When you say wool pad....you mean by hand, machine, dynacone? And what type of wool pad? Thanks :)
 
Steel wool is ok on exhaust, but don't go using it on plastic chrome...
 
Thanks guys. I thought steel wool on the outside of the exhaust could damage the stainless steel finish? Or is it okay if done lightly and then followed with a metal polish on a microfiber?
 
emmjaygti said:
Thanks guys. I thought steel wool on the outside of the exhaust could damage the stainless steel finish? Or is it okay if done lightly and then followed with a metal polish on a microfiber?
Click to expand...

I just did a couple tests.. As far as 0000 Steel Wool it's perfectly safe to use on brushed stainless steel.. Actually, it's so safe that it did absolutely nothing towards cleaning anything on it.
I also tried it on glass. Perfectly safe, but I wasn't blown away by what I saw... I tried the 0000 on my already scratched plastic chrome.. It was hard to pinpoint an area that wasn't already crazing but I believe I was instilling light scratches... I tried it on my chrome wheels, I believe I was instilling faint scratches.
In my opinion this 0000 Steel Wool is not only usless, but it's also garbage.

00 Steel Wool is waay better than this 0000 stuff in every way imaginable... Where's that most regretfull purchases thread? Lol.

FYI: 00 Steel Wool is perfectly fine to use on brushed stainless exhaust. Most people use it with the metal polish as lube for the inner barrels of the exhaust when they're caked and other methods won't cut it. But it's still safe either ways.. These days I just spray my exhaust with some Brown Royal and hose off with water while I clean the wheels, they clean up perfectly just like that.
 
Eldorado2k said:
I just did a couple tests.. As far as 0000 Steel Wool it's perfectly safe to use on brushed stainless steel.. Actually, it's so safe that it did absolutely nothing towards cleaning anything on it.
I also tried it on glass. Perfectly safe, but I wasn't blown away by what I saw... I tried the 0000 on my already scratched plastic chrome.. It was hard to pinpoint an area that wasn't already crazing but I believe I was instilling light scratches... I tried it on my chrome wheels, I believe I was instilling faint scratches.
In my opinion this 0000 Steel Wool is not only usless, but it's also garbage.

00 Steel Wool is waay better than this 0000 stuff in every way imaginable... Where's that most regretfull purchases thread? Lol.

FYI: 00 Steel Wool is perfectly fine to use on brushed stainless exhaust. Most people use it with the metal polish as lube for the inner barrels of the exhaust when they're caked and other methods won't cut it. But it's still safe either ways.. These days I just spray my exhaust with some Brown Royal and hose off with water while I clean the wheels, they clean up perfectly just like that.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! I too have only read of it being used on the inner barrels, but never on the outer face of the exhaust tips. I was always under the impression that it would scour the finish and scratch it.

A friend has Gti that has some caked on blackness on the outer edge of the tip where I was a little scared to use something like 0000 steel wool. For that reason alone I just used a terry applicator and got as much as I could and called it.

Just to confirm, you say that it won't scratch the finish am I right? I am not sure what brushed stainless steel even means :P
 
emmjaygti said:
Thanks man! I too have only read of it being used on the inner barrels, but never on the outer face of the exhaust tips. I was always under the impression that it would scour the finish and scratch it.

A friend has Gti that has some caked on blackness on the outer edge of the tip where I was a little scared to use something like 0000 steel wool. For that reason alone I just used a terry applicator and got as much as I could and called it.

Just to confirm, you say that it won't scratch the finish am I right? I am not sure what brushed stainless steel even means :P
Click to expand...

Well, the common form of stainless steel is brushed stainless. It's what you'll see on nice appliances among many other surfaces. [my old 82' Eldorado Biarritz had a stainless steel roof. Man I wish I still had that car]
I've used 0000 Steel Wool to clean the outside the outside of my exhaust and as far as my eyes can see it didn't scratch at all. It did a good job.

My Cadillac has 4 stainless exhaust tips. What I did once I cleaned them up with the steel wool was spray some Armor All Wheel Protectant on them and sure enough it kept them completely spotless for over a month. It's a shame they're very subtle and somewhat hard to see on my car, or I'd pay more attention to maintaining them perfect at all times.

Some forms of stainless steel i.e. 304#4 can be polished to a mirror finish.[which turns it into 304 Super 8] Sold in sheets, and used for a wide variety of things, architectural, fine finished surfaces such as elevators, and even modern slot machines.. But I don't think you'd find any of it inside a common automobile. But anyways. Lol.
 
Eldorado2k said:
Well, the common form of stainless steel is brushed stainless. It's what you'll see on nice appliances among many other surfaces. [my old 82' Eldorado Biarritz had a stainless steel roof. Man I wish I still had that car]
I've used 0000 Steel Wool to clean the outside the outside of my exhaust and as far as my eyes can see it didn't scratch at all. It did a good job.

My Cadillac has 4 stainless exhaust tips. What I did once I cleaned them up with the steel wool was spray some Armor All Wheel Protectant on them and sure enough it kept them completely spotless for over a month. It's a shame they're very subtle and somewhat hard to see on my car, or I'd pay more attention to maintaining them perfect at all times.

Some forms of stainless steel i.e. 304#4 can be polished to a mirror finish.[which turns it into 304 Super 8] Sold in sheets, and used for a wide variety of things, architectural, fine finished surfaces such as elevators, and even modern slot machines.. But I don't think you'd find any of it inside a common automobile. But anyways. Lol.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the indepth reply! Definitely clears things up and learn new things too! :)

Could I use a sealant like Menz Powerlock on the tips or maybe even Wolfgang exterior trim sealant? I'm guessing it won't last too long though.
 
choijw2 said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5-pAvgmJuw

You will see some P21s polishing soap along with steel wool example in that video.
Click to expand...

Amazing, amazing video! Thank you!

I don't have the polishing soap unfortunately, and I do live halfway accross the world. Is there something else you would recommend in place of it? This ofcourse until I place my next order (which will be a long while having spent close to a $1000 on AG last month alone..).

I have:

Meguiars NXT metal polish
P21s multi surface restorer
Megs APC D101

Could I use the 0000 steel wool with either the NXT or the P21s Multi surface? Or even with the apc.
 
emmjaygti said:
.

I have:

Meguiars NXT metal polish
P21s multi surface restorer
Megs APC D101

Could I use the 0000 steel wool with either the NXT or the P21s Multi surface? Or even with the apc.
Click to expand...

Yes. Use the Steel Wool with either of those 2 metal polishes as the lube, same way he did in the video. But keep in mind that it might still be a bear to get the inners fully clean no matter what you use if it's an older vehicle. For example, when I tried to clean the inside of my Cadillacs exhaust I was down there scrubbing with 00 Steel Wool + Megs Med Metal Polish for a good long while and finally gave up because after 20 yrs. of buildup it was simply too much work to fully clean off. Caddys aren't very ECO friendly + 20 yrs of soot was crazy caked & baked.. But normally it should be doable on most cars with just some Steel Wool + Metal Polish.

Steel Wool is cheap, make sure to pick up both 00 and 0000 grade. Because you'll be happy to have the extra punch of 00 when you need it.
 
Eldorado2k said:
Yes. Use the Steel Wool with either of those 2 metal polishes as the lube, same way he did in the video. But keep in mind that it might still be a bear to get the inners fully clean no matter what you use if it's an older vehicle. For example, when I tried to clean the inside of my Cadillacs exhaust I was down there scrubbing with 00 Steel Wool + Megs Med Metal Polish for a good long while and finally gave up because after 20 yrs. of buildup it was simply too much work to fully clean off. Caddys aren't very ECO friendly + 20 yrs of soot was crazy caked & baked.. But normally it should be doable on most cars with just some Steel Wool + Metal Polish.

Steel Wool is cheap, make sure to pick up both 00 and 0000 grade. Because you'll be happy to have the extra punch of 0000 when you need it.
Click to expand...

Amazing!! Thank you! Wish I could thank you using your real name, but Thanks Eldorado2k!!

And here I was...thinking 0000 is weaker than 00. SMH

Now to hunt the market for some of that steel wool.

Last question I promise - I have seen plenty around, but never an automotive grade. Are the household ones not advisable to use?

If not then I will include that in my next , very distant, order. Wishlist here I come.
 
emmjaygti said:
Thanks guys. I thought steel wool on the outside of the exhaust could damage the stainless steel finish? Or is it okay if done lightly and then followed with a metal polish on a microfiber?
Click to expand...

I few weeks ago I used steel wool on my stainless exhaust and it worked out well. I used Mother's metal polish, started with "00" steel wool, followed up by "0000" steel wool. I did see a few faint marks which probably could have been removed by one more step with a MF rag, but the tips are tucked away and the marks only show up with a VERY close inspection with direct, bright lights.
 
emmjaygti said:
Amazing!! Thank you! Wish I could thank you using your real name, but Thanks Eldorado2k!!

And here I was...thinking 0000 is weaker than 00. SMH

Now to hunt the market for some of that steel wool.

Last question I promise - I have seen plenty around, but never an automotive grade. Are the household ones not advisable to use?

If not then I will include that in my next , very distant, order. Wishlist here I come.
Click to expand...

Yes that's correct, 0000 is weaker than 00. I corrected my post now.. And I simply get it from the local auto parts store. It's the same brand that Chow posted in his pic. Super cheap and plenty of it. Check your local auto parts, if they don't have any check the hardware store next. And always do a test spot when using on any area of a vehicle. Practicing on random metal things in the garage is great practice and allows you to get a feel for what to expect from it.

My name's Ric, but I've got a pet peeve when it comes to calling people by their chosen names, so since we know each other through this forum, I prefer to be called Eldorado. I even introduced myself to Mike Phillips as Eldorado. He started laughing. Lol. [I figure how else would he have any idea who I was] :)
 
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