Menzerna SF4000/SF3500 Aficionados...

dlc95

dlc95

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Just curious how much you guys/gals are working the product.

Machines, speeds, passes, pressure, pads, etc.

Thanks!
 
I almost exclusively use Menzerna FG400 and SF3800 (old name SF4500 and older name PO85RD) for everything. Depending on the pad, they have a tremendous range of types of paints it works very well on. For my Flex 3401, i have LC, B&S, and Meguiars MF pads. For my Rupes Bigfoot Nano, i use Rupes pads. I plan to eventually try cheap eBay Chinese made pads too. Menzerna has a super long work time which i prefer. I do fairly small sections (one door split into 4+ sections), 5-9 passes on each application, with about 5lbs of pressure
 
anonymoususer said:
I almost exclusively use Menzerna FG400 and SF3800 (old name SF4500 and older name PO85RD) for everything. Depending on the pad, they have a tremendous range of types of paints it works very well on. For my Flex 3401, i have LC, B&S, and Meguiars MF pads. For my Rupes Bigfoot Nano, i use Rupes pads. I plan to eventually try cheap eBay Chinese made pads too. Menzerna has a super long work time which i prefer. I do fairly small sections (one door split into 4+ sections), 5-9 passes on each application, with about 5lbs of pressure
Click to expand...

Have you ever had the 4500 dust up on you? How's your arm speed with it too?
 
I've had 4500 start to dust up. When it does I either blow the pad out with my air hose, or just swap pads.
 
dlc95 said:
Have you ever had the 4500 dust up on you? How's your arm speed with it too?
Click to expand...

Arm speed medium to slow. If you noticed a trend with Menzerna, everything is slowed down just a bit. You're caressing and making love to the car rather than "wham bam thank you ma'am" with Meguiars 105/205.

Ive never had SF4500 or any Menzerna polish/compound dust up on me. As a matter of fact, it's generally known that Menzerna is on the oily side so it's pretty much impossible to dust if used properly. I always clean the pad with a stiff bristle brush after every panel. I've had FG400 gum up on me, but not dust.

I haven't been on the forum much lately but <<< thats SF4500 (now called SF3800, prior known as PO85RD) in the avatar as i'm priming the pad
 
dlc95 said:
Just curious how much you guys/gals are working the product.

Machines, speeds, passes, pressure, pads, etc.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

In terms of the old naming conventions:

Using the Flex 3401...

FG400 - machine speed 3 for all 8 passes.... 2 with heavy pressure and slow arm speed, 2 with medium pressure and slow arm speed, 2 with light pressure and medium arm speed - usually blue foamed wool or orange foam hybrid pads

PF2300 - machine speed 5 x 2 passes with heavy pressure and slow arm speed, machine speed 4.5 x 2 with medium pressure and slow arm speed, machine speed 4 x 2 passes with light pressure and medium arm speed - usually orange or white foam hybrid pads

SF4000- machine speed 5 x 2 passes with heavy pressure and slow arm speed, machine speed 4.5 x 2 with medium pressure and slow arm speed, machine speed 4 x 2 passes with light pressure and medium arm speed - usually white or black foam hybrid pads
 
You might want to test the Menzerna with and without "pad conditioning" first...

IME Menzerna likes a nice clean and dry (not wet with water) pad
 
+1 +1 +1 on everything posted thus far.... :-)

I have had Menzerna dust up on me when the humidity is low. I polish outside on my driveway 98% of the time. It happens. Some QD spray or water helps as well.
 
anonymoususer said:
You might want to test the Menzerna with and without "pad conditioning" first...

IME Menzerna likes a nice clean and dry (not wet with water) pad
Click to expand...

I always start out without it - as a rule because it's so oily, but there are times where I'll spritz the pads with a mist of M34. I don't get them "wet", nowhere near, but they are "affected".
 
anonymoususer said:
Arm speed medium to slow. If you noticed a trend with Menzerna, everything is slowed down just a bit. You're caressing and making love to the car rather than "wham bam thank you ma'am" with Meguiars 105/205.

Ive never had SF4500 or any Menzerna polish/compound dust up on me. As a matter of fact, it's generally known that Menzerna is on the oily side so it's pretty much impossible to dust if used properly. I always clean the pad with a stiff bristle brush after every panel. I've had FG400 gum up on me, but not dust.

I haven't been on the forum much lately but <<< thats SF4500 (now called SF3800, prior known as PO85RD) in the avatar as i'm priming the pad
Click to expand...

How much polish are you initially applying to the pad? How much to reload?
 
I load up with what you see to the left. I work that 8-9 passes. Then three pea size drops
 
I have been avoiding using the 4000 lately on finicky black black paints on high temps. Hard time removing the oily residue, prone to mf marring.
I really like the finishing, though
 
I like to use 400 with Meg's microfiber cutting pads on trashed paint surfaces. Then follow up with 3500 on a Rupes yellow pad. If I want to get the last bit of shine I'll go to a Rupes whites pad and 3800. Always threes pea sized drops after priming the pad. Rupes machines of course!
 
So the shine can be improved upon by following 3500 with 3800? Or do you think it would be a waste of product and time most of the time? I ordered FG400/SF3500 and SF3800. I'll experiment with everything.
 
Blackdevil77 said:
So the shine can be improved upon by following 3500 with 3800? Or do you think it would be a waste of product and time most of the time? I ordered FG400/SF3500 and SF3800. I'll experiment with everything.
Click to expand...

If you are working on white paint, you will never see the difference using 3800 after 3500. If you are working on darker paint and decide to follow up with 3800 with an ultra soft pad you will see a minor improvement.

Let us know how it works out for you.
 
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