Initial Impression: Menzerna SC300 vs. FG400

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Im going to let the pictures and write up do the talking on this one.


SC300 PROS:
Familiar FG400 scent
Added cutting ability over FG400
Long buffing cycle

Cons:
Dusts a bit compared to FG400
Does not finish up as well as FG400

Recently I was able to get my hands on Menzerna’s new Super Heavy Cut Compound 300 as well as the other two releases, which made a debut at the Frankfurt AutoMechanika show in September. Im sure many of you remember this picture and have been patiently awaiting this review.

I picked up a tailgate as a test panel that was repainted before with PPG paint sprayed in a metallic Ford blue with SATA paint guns. Sanded and ready to go.

Divided into 4 sections for the test.

To give a starting point on where to test this new compound against its brother, I sanded the entire tailgate with 2000 grit 3M sandpaper by hand with a Meguiar’s hand sanding block. I purposely left grit in between the paper and finish being sanded to introduce rids to really test out the ability on what these two had to offer in cut and finish.

The entire test was carried out using Lake Country Hybrid pads while using the Flex 3401 and PE14 as motivation. The “Smack Technique” was used during all testing periods on either machine.

Technique on the 3401
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...rning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html

Technique on the PE14
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ity/80973-utilizing-smack-technique-pe14.html

With that tailgate taped off in four sections and marked with dedicated areas, I started off with a rather least aggressive approach to see where it would get me. 3401, white 5” Hybrid and FG400 to give the starting point. After 8 section passes I checked my results. What I found out is this combo would have been fine for an evenly sanded surface with a machine using most likely a foam backed 3000 grit sanding disc with a foam interface pad.

Section passes completed. Prior to wipe off

After wipe off this is what I am greeted with.

Compared to the 2000 grit sanded side.

Next up, 3401, white, and SC300. This gave a tad more cut but did not finish up as well as FG400. The second section with SC300 had a bit more hazing left behind but a bit more cut. No matter. These two sections where to get a feel of the two side by side. Also I have NEVER used SC300 prior to this so this was more of a test run to get a feel for it although it behaved like you would expect a Menzerna polish to perform.

After being worked

Up close on the rids left behind. This spot was particularly nasty.

Compared side by side against its brother FG400.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Next two sections where done exactly the same as the first two with the only difference being an Orange Heavy cut Hybrid pad being for the test. Again both sections here handled pretty well the same with SC300 giving more cut but not finishing up as well as FG400. On these two sections I would say either has the ability to pull up 2000 grit marks given the surface was evenly sanded with a foam interface pad between the backing plate and sanding disc and no foreign debris between the surface to interfere.

Before wipe off

Results from Orange foam

Comparison

Close up

Time for SC300 on Orange

After wipe off

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Time to pull out the wool Hybrid pads and get to work on the same sections as before making sure that the respective compound was used in its section to pull out the rest of the defects and rids.

On the right half (1and2) the 3401 powered the wool pads with FG400 on the right and SC300 on the left side. Here both sections saw around 90% defect removal with SC300 giving that extra bite for cut while FG400 finishes up better of the two. Here, either setup has no problem removing 2000 grit marks by hand or machine. Just make sure to keep the face of the paper clean as to not leave any rids in the surface.

FG400, wool, 3401

SC300, wool SC300

I apologize here. I thought I had after pictures from this step.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

The left sections (3and4) were powered by the PE14 and wool with the right side receiving SC300 and the left FG400. Here we are getting 98% and up defect removal with rotary power and of course leaving holograms in the paint. Funny enough FG400 finishes up better with less overall halos left behind whereas SC300 makes its presence known its not playing around cutting defects. It is clearly obvious here the amount of cut, haziness, and halos left behind with SC300. This new compound means business!

Yeah buddy! Now we are really getting some where!

Time for SC300 to put in work!

How is that for 40/20/40?

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Time to cut sections 1&2 and 3&4 as a whole.

This new compound offering from Menzerna gives the added cut over FG400 while finishing up decently for such an aggressive compound. Where you can grab FG400 and a white pad for a one step process, this SC300 will be better served in a two step situation. I very impressed with the added cut over FG400.

This test panel will be re-sanded with a 3000 grit foam backed sanding disc to test out the new Menzerna 3n1... Keep your eyes peeled!

 

[HUMP DIESEL]

Nice Mike!

HUMP

 

[JSou]

Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Definitely on my to-buy list when it releases.

 

[FrankS]

Excellent work Mike!

 

[Tato]

Great review my friend!, this is exactly what we want to see on a Compound Showdown...

Lots of great information shared, lighter pads / cutting pads, 400 vs 300, rotary and DA, I mean, how rich is this review!

Should have taken a lot of time to put those thinks together, I can only thank you very much for such.

And can't wait to put my hands on the 300, hopefully mid-November I'll have mine.

Kind Regards.

 

[allenk4]

Great review

Thank you for taking time to do it properly and give us all information we can use

Kyle

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Nice Mike!

HUMP

Thank you Bruce!

Very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share.

Definitely on my to-buy list when it releases.

Thanks! No problem!

Excellent work Mike!

Thanks Frank!

Great review my friend!, this is exactly what we want to see on a Compound Showdown...

Lots of great information shared, lighter pads / cutting pads, 400 vs 300, rotary and DA, I mean, how rich is this review!

Should have taken a lot of time to put those thinks together, I can only thank you very much for such.

And can't wait to put my hands on the 300, hopefully mid-November I'll have mine.

Kind Regards.

Thank you Rafael! My pleasure.

I wanted to make sure I captured every aspect on how this would be used as well as compare it against its brother.

I took a bit to get everything ready for the show! I probably spent 3-4 hours just on this panel!

Great review

Thank you for taking time to do it properly and give us all information we can use

Kyle

Thanks Kyle! Hope you enjoyed it.

 

[281]

Awesome review Mike, thanks for sharing - great side by side comparison pictures!

 

[ilian11]

Mike, awesome review bud! Thank you for taking the time and documenting everything so well. :applause: rops:

I can't wait for the 3 in 1 :dblthumb2:

 

[Caleb@ImpeccableImage]

Mike, thank you for your thorough review and testing of this product. It is people like you on this forum that give back to others. Looks like a great product and I'm excited to add it to my arsenal of Menzerna. Nice work buddy rops: :buffing:.

 

[Zelfiris]

Hey Mike, thank you for the great review!

If you recall from a couple of months ago I purchased a 3401 with hybrid pads to try your technique. I actually got it to use on a friend's car in similar condition to your test panel but I won't be starting the job until next Spring.

I think based on the results I'm seeing with your wool pad, it would be 'quicker' to use a wool pad for correction them instead of using the orange hybrid pad for paint in such condition. Do you have any recommendations for wool pad selections?

I will still follow rule of the thumb, least aggressive first (especially going to a new machine for the first time)

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Awesome review Mike, thanks for sharing - great side by side comparison pictures!

Thanks James!

Mike, awesome review bud! Thank you for taking the time and documenting everything so well. :applause: rops:

I can't wait for the 3 in 1 :dblthumb2:

Thank you sir! Glad you enjoyed. Lots of time and editing went into this review.

:xyxthumbs:

Mike, thank you for your thorough review and testing of this product. It is people like you on this forum that give back to others. Looks like a great product and I'm excited to add it to my arsenal of Menzerna. Nice work buddy rops: :buffing:.

Thanks Caleb. I enjoy doing this for the forum. My pleasure. Just trying to earn a spot here on the forum with the many other great members. Yourself included.

You won't be dissatisfied.

Hey Mike, thank you for the great review!

If you recall from a couple of months ago I purchased a 3401 with hybrid pads to try your technique. I actually got it to use on a friend's car in similar condition to your test panel but I won't be starting the job until next Spring.

I think based on the results I'm seeing with your wool pad, it would be 'quicker' to use a wool pad for correction them instead of using the orange hybrid pad for paint in such condition. Do you have any recommendations for wool pad selections?

I will still follow rule of the thumb, least aggressive first (especially going to a new machine for the first time)

Thank you! No Problem!

I do remember. Sounds good. I would honestly try a test spot to see the paints reaction with the Orange pad and FG400. This combo is pretty stout and will remove the majority of defects if not 99%.

If you need then you can step up to the Hybrid wool pads. These wool pads play really well with the 3401.

 

[Zelfiris]

Thank you! No Problem!

I do remember. Sounds good. I would honestly try a test spot to see the paints reaction with the Orange pad and FG400. This combo is pretty stout and will remove the majority of defects if not 99%.

If you need then you can step up to the Hybrid wool pads. These wool pads play really well with the 3401.

Thank you Mike! I will look into the LC hybrid wool pads. Since I purchased all the hybrid foam pads in 5", I'll stick with 5" for the hybrid wool pads too.

 

[Tato]

Well, unfortunately there's no 5" hybrid wool pad, but hope LC see this as suggestion, for sure a great addition.

Kind Regards.

 

[runrun411]

Really nice detailed review Mike.

AG when will you get it?

 

[Sicoupe]

Fantastic write up MIKE! Very detailed and great work too thanks for taking the time to do this my friend.