Marine vs. Automotive Compound

[rjk512]

Hello,

Just curious about something - is there a difference between marine and automotive compound, if there even is such a thing? I understand the differences between gel coat and clear coat and notice how there are different waxes for marine and automotive use for obvious reasons, and have even seen both marine and automotive polishes. In looking at a particular brand of compound, however (3M) I noticed that there isn't really a designated marine compound. So, again, my question is, is there really such a thing as "marine" compound, or is there even a difference between automotive/marine compound?

Thanks

[DetailProDestin]

I say yes, I'm no chemist but gelcoat and clearcoat are completely different. 3M does make a marine compound and has for quit awhile. Good question though, I've wondered this myself, I'd like to know myself what the difference is between auto and marine compounds polishes and waxes.

[rjk512]

I only ask because I used customer-supplied 3M compound that apparently is geared towards automotive use and it worked out great.

I was just curious if there was any downside to using it on gel coat.

[bill110]

One difference is that many of the marine compounds are designed to cling to vertical surfaces and reduce sling.

[BillE]

Most if not all 'marine' products are DAT. Whereas for clear coat, SMAT is the way most of us go.

Bill

[FUNX650]

The differences are usually due to the abrasives.

Many OEM gel coats are ~25 mils thick, and
extremely hard; way thicker and harder than
most OEM automotive BC/CC paints (that are
only ~2 mils of clear coat).

•Compounds designed/formulated for gel coats are
much too aggressive for use on most auto paint...
-kind of a reminder of when the transition from SS
auto paints to BC/CC auto paints took place:
-The rocks-in-a-bottle compounds were also too
aggressive for more modern automotive BC/CC.


•Conversely:
-Many automotive compounds don't have the
aggressiveness to effectively, efficiently...or
the efficacy needed...for "cutting" gel coats.


Bob

[RPM_BR]

The differences are usually due to the abrasives.

Many OEM gel coats are ~25 mils thick, and
extremely hard; way thicker and harder than
most OEM automotive BC/CC paints (that are
only ~2 mils of clear coat).

•Compounds designed/formulated for gel coats are
much too aggressive for use on most auto paint...
-kind of a reminder of when the transition from SS
auto paints to BC/CC auto paints took place:
-The rocks-in-a-bottle compounds were also too
aggressive for more modern automotive BC/CC.


•Conversely:
-Many automotive compounds don't have the
aggressiveness to effectively, efficiently...or
the efficacy needed...for "cutting" gel coats.


Bob

:bowdown:

[Mike@ShineStruck]

Thought it also dealt with the gel coat being allot more pourous then automotive paint

[rjk512]

So relatively speaking, the only downside to using an "automotive" (per se) compound on a gel coat would be possibly losing some cutting power depending on the product, however using a marine compound on a clear coat could cut way too fast and possibly cause some issues?