SMAT vs DAT

[primo spaghetti]

So ive read much ado about these different technologies, but other than the obvious what is the real difference?

i know it is a broad question, but do certain paints (single vs clear, hard vs soft) truly benefit from wither SMAT or DAT?

Is one better suited for rotary polishing vs DA?

more curious than anything and looking to see others opinions/views.

since ive switched from the megs line (for no real reason other than curiosity), it seems most of my polish is DAT, and i seem to get good results and really have no complaints but like i said i thought id look for some pros/cons/suggestions/gripes.

[Kinalyx]

Im no expert, but from what i understand(not a lot) the SMAT seems to cut better, the DAT seems to finish better. This is why a lot of people like to use M105 then 85rd or something similar because they feel it finishes better or easier than 205 does.

Ive never used anything SMAT, and will give it a shot this weekend....at least im hoping to use my Megs stuff this weekend. Im sure the wife will come up with something else to do tho.

Shawn

[silverfox]

I think its good to have BOTH types of polishes on hand to cover all the bases. I don't think there is a clear advantage between the two.

I think DAT polishes are perhaps a bit easier to use because they will tell you when to stop, whereas SMAT can be worked as long as you think you should.

[Setec Astronomy]

It may not be apparent when using finer polishes...but there is really a huge difference between DAT/SMAT when you look at compounding.

Take an old-school compound, one that you would use for a really hammered finish back when I started on forums years ago, like Menz PowerGloss, or for true rocks-in-a-bottle, Poorboy's SSR3. These are compounds that would leave haze even if you worked them down all the way...if you stopped before the abrasives were broken down it was even worse. You had to follow these up with 2 more polishing steps to get your finish/gloss back.

Contrast that with M105 or Optimum Compound that have in the ballpark of the cut but on hard paints can leave an almost-ready-for-LSP finish, and you only work them until you have the correction, you don't have to worry about finishing the polishing cycle and breaking down the abrasives.

[mwoolfso]

I think... as one moves (over the years) from apprentice to master .... I can see someone favoring one over the other. Once you get to a certain level of expertise it won't matter.

[primo spaghetti]

well i bit the bullet and picked up some Optimum polish II, Opti coat, and Opti seal today. I was going to go with the Menz SF4500 or SF4000, but i guess ill give the SMAT stuff a go around.

i still have a bunch of WG laying around just in case. the true test will be the clarity of optimum polish on my brilliant black pearl Ram. I plan on getting to it later tonight or tomorrow...and i even think ill try the Optimum MF polishing pad with it...

[RhetoricMixes]

Originally Posted by primo spaghetti

well i bit the bullet and picked up some Optimum polish II, Opti coat, and Opti seal today. I was going to go with the Menz SF4500 or SF4000, but i guess ill give the SMAT stuff a go around.

i still have a bunch of WG laying around just in case. the true test will be the clarity of optimum polish on my brilliant black pearl Ram. I plan on getting to it later tonight or tomorrow...and i even think ill try the Optimum MF polishing pad with it...

You wont regret getting the optimum polish. I use on my dodge magnum with the brilliant black pearl paint and it looks very wet and inky when done.

[primo spaghetti]

great news...exactly what im looking for..

i just cant help but wonder if i shoulda went with the hyper polish...unless i could try and put the polish II in a sprayer?? is there any difference beside thickness/viscocity in the 2 products??

[RhetoricMixes]

Originally Posted by primo spaghetti

great news...exactly what im looking for..

i just cant help but wonder if i shoulda went with the hyper polish...unless i could try and put the polish II in a sprayer?? is there any difference beside thickness/viscocity in the 2 products??

My bad. I should have mentioned that I used hyper polish and not the actual polish ii. I'm sure you'll get good results with either, just remember the polish ii has a bit less cut to it according to AG's chart.

[A.P.A.D.]

Does this help?

The SMAT PACK - Everything you ever wanted to know about Meguiar's SMAT products...

I think Mike had another article about the 2, but i cannot seem to find it