Advice on switching from 3M to Menzerna buffing Aircraft dope

[Ryan Johnson]

Hello everyone, very glad to come across this forum. I restore vintage aircraft that are fabric covered and finished with butyrate dope. Butyrate is very soft and polishes well. In the past I’ve alway sanded with 1500 or 2000 and buffed using the 3M perfect it 1,2&3 compounds with a Dewalt rotary buffer and Schlegal foam pads. I’d like to switch to Menzerna after reading about it. I’d like something that will cut faster on the initial compounding and remove the sanding scratches faster. Also, thinking of a wool pad for initial compounding.

Can anyone recommend what Menzerna compound to start and finish with? Also looking for any suggestions to what pads to use wool and or foam?

My dislikes with the 3M is how long it’s taking me to get the sanding scratches out of a soft finish and I don’t like all the sling of excess compound that I find difficult to clean out of corners etc after it’s dried. Any advice on what to try would be greatly appreciated!

Ryan

 

[ducksfan]

Most people's comments I've read are that 400 is the Menzerna compound to get. I have some 300 I bought to compound headlights. It gets some work done.

Just thought I'd throw that out there since you wanted quick results.

 

[98CayenneTA]

Try using less compound? 3m perfect it 1 is a very good rotary compound. You're really not going to match that with any Menzerna on the rotary.

I would take a look at pads and pressure being used with your current situation.

Two of my favorite products for a rotary are 3m Perfect it 1 and 3D ACA 500

3m 1 cuts harder but 3D finishes down much better

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hi and welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:


Interesting work you do there - would love to see some pictures of the airplanes you've worked on.


If you send me your shipping address, on Monday I'll send you a bottle of the new SONAX Ultimate Cut 6+ to test out. I've only used it a few times but it cuts great and finishes down incredible.


Sonax Ultimate Cut 6+ - 250 ml

SONAX uses very different abrasive technology than other companies, you might find this works great and you also might find it doesn't work for this application.

Can't hurt to try.