3M™ 80349 Extra Fine Plus Polishing Compound

3M Extra Fine Plus 80349 is a finishing polish for automotive paint, in a 1 litre bottle (3M reference 7100224682). It is used at the end of polishing to remove the fine marks left by the previous step and achieve a deep, hologram-free gloss.

Specifications

• Use: final finishing on clear coat and paint.
• Cut: extra fine.
• Pack size: 1 L.
• 3M reference: 80349.

Its place in the polishing sequence

Paint polishing is done in steps, each removing the marks of the previous one. You start with a cutting compound, which removes sanding marks, and finish with an extra fine product, which removes the micro-scratches left by the compound.

Extra Fine Plus is that finishing product. Used on its own on a surface still marked by sanding, it is not enough: it is too fine to remove a sanding scratch.

Holograms: where they come from

Holograms are the circular haze visible in sunlight after polishing. They come from a product that is too aggressive in the last step, or from an unsuitable pad. The final polish with an extra fine product and a soft finishing pad is what removes them.

Application tips

Use a little product at a time, on a small area. Work at moderate speed, without letting the product dry on the paint. Wipe with a clean microfibre cloth and check under raking light.

See also our polishing liquids, our polishing compounds and our polishers.