Menzerna SF4000 Questions

[Gokite]

Mazda 2014 CX5 in soul red
Menzerna SF4000
Griot w/LC5" BP
LC waffle 5" in orange gray and red

I was planning to do two treatments with SF4000, one with th orage to remove any light swirls, then go over the car again with the gray to buff it up (or maybe the red)

I am new to this, just got this stuff. Been reading that some clearcoats are harder than others. Any experience out there with mazda clearcoats and menz 4000? Am i in the right ballpark here?

 

[KillaCam]

Do a test spot. SF4000 is great at removing light stuff and leaves a brilliant finish. Works good on my paint with a white pad. Softer paints I would probably use a grey pad.

 

[fly07sti]

Really depends on the defects in your paint. Can you post a pic or two? Also, SF4000 is used for final polishing, not swirl removal.

 

[mdgrwl]

Go two step. Orange pad with FG400, Crimson (or black) Pad with SF4000

EXCELLENT results on just about every paint.

 

[BFEHB]

Go two step. Orange pad with FG400, Crimson (or black) Pad with SF4000

EXCELLENT results on just about every paint.

I am trying to decide between the SF 4000 or the SF 4500 after the FG 400. The 4000 has slightly more cut; they both apparently finish quite well. Does anyone have opinions/thoughts on which combo would be better and why?

 

[JHL88]

I used SF4000 on a white polishing pad to take out minor imperfections on my truck and it did a decent job. I don't have any experience with 4500. Since FG400 finishes down so nicely from what I heard there would really be no reason to use SF4000 afterwards depending on the paint. 4500 should be good enough.

 

[mdgrwl]

I am trying to decide between the SF 4000 or the SF 4500 after the FG 400. The 4000 has slightly more cut; they both apparently finish quite well. Does anyone have opinions/thoughts on which combo would be better and why?

from my conversation with Menzerna US, SF4000 & SF4500 have the same size abrasives... but SF4000 has more of them (or the other way around, can't remember). They both finish down almost identical (you can't tell the difference).

SF4000 has the benefit of more cut, so you can easily follow up FG400 with it where SF4500 may not take out all of the haze left behind by FG400.

Also, SF4000 has a shorter working time where SF4500 takes a lot longer to fully break down.

SF4000 for the win.

FWIW - SF4500 was actually discontinued by Menzerna when SF4000 came out... but due to a niche crowd, they brought back SF4500.

 

[Gokite]

Really depends on the defects in your paint. Can you post a pic or two? Also, SF4000 is used for final polishing, not swirl removal.

It's still crappy in chicago. I was hoping to do this next weekend if it warms up a bit. Car has salt on it. No good pics. Because it is new i figured the paint would not need fg400 as a first step, using sf4000 twice, once with orange once with gray, would be enough.

Go two step. Orange pad with FG400, Crimson (or black) Pad with SF4000.

See above, i was hoping to forego the need for fg400, which was on my list but last second decided not to get it. I've read comments that sf4000 with a more aggresive pad can remove some light swirls.

 

[Gokite]

I used SF4000 on a white polishing pad to take out minor imperfections on my truck and it did a decent job.

IIRC, white is softer than orange correct? Might as well try it with an orange pad at this point. i'll hit it again with the gray or red too. I have three each or orange, gray and red. I assume that's enough? I figure to use the air compressor to blow them clean.

Also, what domyou guys do to protect the fake chrome logo? Do you tape the whole thing over? If so do you hand buff in between the lettering?

 

[parttimer]

What does your paint look like you want to use FG400 and orange pad on?

 

[Gokite]

The question was relating to a two step process using SF4000 for both. I dont even own Fg400.

1) wash, ironX, clay, dry the car
2) SF4000 with orange
3) SF4000 with gray or red to pop it
4) LSP

 

[Gokite]

Here's pics of the hood, it's 9:45am here with the time change, sun is low. Car still has some frost and beads of water. I didn't want to clear that off and scratch it more. It seems to me this isn't too bad. Again, process I want to use/verify with you guys:

1) wash, ironX, clay, dry the car
2) SF4000 with orange
3) SF4000 with gray or red to pop it
4) LSP

 

[JHL88]

IIRC, white is softer than orange correct? Might as well try it with an orange pad at this point. i'll hit it again with the gray or red too. I have three each or orange, gray and red. I assume that's enough? I figure to use the air compressor to blow them clean.

Also, what domyou guys do to protect the fake chrome logo? Do you tape the whole thing over? If so do you hand buff in between the lettering?

Yes, white is a polishing pad. The next step above that is orange the one below it is grey/black/crimson red.

 

[KillaCam]

From those pics that looks like light marring. Try SF4000 on a white pad first. You would be surprised what it can remove.

 

[Gokite]

sigh...i don't have white pads...

 

[Gokite]

Looks like white and orange are next to each other in the chart, orange being one step more aggressive ... So I think the orange will be fine. Am I correct to think an application using the orange with a little less pressure will somewhat equate to the white?

 

[KillaCam]

The orange pad is used more for cutting. It might finish down better on harder paints but I wouldn't use it for a final polish. Just grab some white and grey pads and you'll thank yourself later.

 

[Scott@IncrediblyDetailed]

Use the least aggressive method and do several test spots with different products and pads.

Depending on the condition of the NEW car, you won't need to use an aggressive compound like FG400. I would start with SF4000 and a polishing pad and check the results. If it's not what you want either change the product to something more aggressive or the pad.

FG400 has a serious cut and cuts quick! Before using a cutting pad with FG400, try a polishing pad.

FG400 + Polishing Pad with the Flex 3401

The goal is to remove the most amount of defects, while leaving the most amount of paint on the surface as possible.

 

[Gokite]

Somehow this whole thread got derailed into talking about FG400. I ONLY have SF4000.

I agree with "only as much as needed" approach which is why I figured for a new car, SF4000 is prob all I need.

SF4000 with orange pad
SF4000 with gray pad to pop it
LSP

 

[stilltipping3]

I have 400 and then follow with 4500. There is nothing better to finish with than that 4500 and a white pad. If I can I will use 2500 as an all in one. I haven't tried 4000 yet.