Menzerna FG-400 as 1 step?

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willowcat11

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After reading about this compound, it has really caught my eye. A compound that could finish out almost like a polish. That way I could use the FG-400 then top it with either WGDGPS 3.0 or WGDG Spritz Sealant.

Has anyone used this product before, and how do you like it's results? Have you found it to help you use lees steps in certain situations?

Thank you everyone, still learning fun stuff all the time!


Ray
 
If you are going to take the time to polish, I would finish with a finer polish. I really have been happy with all the Menzerna stuff I have tried. FG 400 does finish nicely, but I would only one step in a real pinch and only on a metallic silver or pearl white.
 
Griots Boss Correcting Cream and Fast Correcting Cream. IME those 2 compounds finish like a polish.
 
1 step with FG400 is certainly possible. For light colored cars, most people wont notice anything better. For those with a "detailers" eye, they will notice some haze. Absolutely not possible on a black car.
 
You can finish with FG400 and a DA on black cars too if you use an Orange foam pad, not MF or Wool or Rotary. I've done it plenty times and analysed the paint under LED,Flourescent and Sunlight without issues. On too soft paints yeah you might need a finishing polish but its rare.
 
FG400 with a foam pad on light colored cars for people without a detailers eye, you can definitely 1 step it

Even on some darker cars, depending on what the customer's expectations are, a 1 step is do-able. Here is a Toyota I did back in 2012 with FG400 as a 1-step http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/56897-midnight-blue-toyota-yaris-detailed-lawrence.html

For the most part though, I can definitely spot the improvement when following with say SF4000, and so to answer your question, I guess it just comes down to what the expectations of the detail are. If the customer is seeking ultimate gloss and is willing to pay for a 2 step, then so be it.... but if they are just looking for 'make it better', then I think FG400 as a 1-step is an option.
 
lawrenceSA said:
FG400 with a foam pad on light colored cars for people without a detailers eye, you can definitely 1 step it

Even on some darker cars, depending on what the customer's expectations are, a 1 step is do-able. Here is a Toyota I did back in 2012 with FG400 as a 1-step http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/56897-midnight-blue-toyota-yaris-detailed-lawrence.html

For the most part though, I can definitely spot the improvement when following with say SF4000, and so to answer your question, I guess it just comes down to what the expectations of the detail are. If the customer is seeking ultimate gloss and is willing to pay for a 2 step, then so be it.... but if they are just looking for 'make it better', then I think FG400 as a 1-step is an option.
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agree.
 
I've one-stepped a black Camry with FG400, a Flex 3401, and orange LC Hybrid pads. I did a thorough decon, kept my pads clean, rotated pads often, and followed FG400's instructions on how to use it.

Then, I put 4 Star UPP on it, and it looked amazing.
 
I 1 stepped this with FG-400 and no haze. Great product and does finish out real nice and it can be used on black as a 1 step. I finished this with Reload

View attachment 52262
 
I used FG-400 on my wife's '15 black Yukon that had hard clear. I thought it turned out great! I went ahead and followed with 4000 just because I had the time and sure it looked more refined. On harder paint I wouldn't hesitate using 400 as a one step. I used about 8 LC orange flat pads.
 
I have 1 stepped with FG 400 and sometimes simply step "down" one pad color to compromise a little pad cut and let those beautiful Menzerna abrasives refine themselves.
 
Eldorado2k said:
Griots Boss Correcting Cream and Fast Correcting Cream. IME those 2 compounds finish like a polish.
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are they DAT abrasive??


I do one step with FG-400 with polishing pad,
and it comes out really great even on darker colored cars.
 
choijw2 said:
are they DAT abrasive??


I do one step with FG-400 with polishing pad,
and it comes out really great even on darker colored cars.
Click to expand...

If I remember right, in Todd Helme's review of FG400, he stated that the abrasives in FG400 were agglomerated, where the abrasives start out clumped together, and broke down into a SMAT type abrasive. At least that's how I read it. Rupes Zephir apparently uses a similar technology.

I believe the BOSS creams are SMAT.
 
For me it depends on the paint. I have done a one step with FG400 on a Lake Country Hydrotech Cyan cutting pad, and it turned out great! On some paints, it just doesn't get to the level I'm looking for. That being said, I'm constantly impressed with the performance of FG400.

However, my favorite one step is PF2500 on a Tangering Hydrotech. I'll sacrifice extreme levels of correction to get that gloss.

If i'm going to cut with FG400, I prefer to refine with SF4000.
 
AbileneAutoWerx said:
I used FG-400 on my wife's '15 black Yukon that had hard clear. I thought it turned out great! I went ahead and followed with 4000 just because I had the time and sure it looked more refined. On harder paint I wouldn't hesitate using 400 as a one step. I used about 8 LC orange flat pads.
Click to expand...

I agree. Usually, imho, one step with FG400 can be achieved in hard clearcoats. Same here with a Dodge RAM 2500 2012.
 
choijw2 said:
I do one step with FG-400 with polishing pad,
and it comes out really great even on darker colored cars.
Click to expand...

I agree, and as long as the paint isn't really trashed it will remove the defects even with the less agressive pad.
 
refreshauto said:
I 1 stepped this with FG-400 and no haze. Great product and does finish out real nice and it can be used on black as a 1 step. I finished this with Reload

View attachment 52262
Click to expand...

Like Vargas said, you can defintely one step on dark colors with FG400.

I did this highly abused Chevy pick up and their is no hazing what so ever. It was heavily oxidized. Mirror like finish when I got done.
Rupes 15 with LC Orange pads.

2 week old bird poop too:


No hazing at all:




Totally swirl free:



Mirror finish with FG400 one step polish:



Some of the pads and the gunk FG400 removed:

 
choijw2 said:
are they DAT abrasive??


I do one step with FG-400 with polishing pad,
and it comes out really great even on darker colored cars.
Click to expand...

No they aren't DAT. They're SMAT. Griots came up with a new term, they call it super nano micro or something.. Just a fancy way of saying SMAT. Lol.
 
Thank you everyone for all the great responses! It sounds like Fg400 and other Menzerna products are very liked here. I've always seen them in the store section, but just never new anything about them. Thank you for naming pad choices as well, this helps save time and money.
 
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