My technique concerning the 3401, Menzerna products, and Hybrid pads

smack said:
I have experienced bad dusting when running FG400 on speed 6. I have made 2-3 passes before it dusts up like crazy and becomes useless.
Click to expand...

Dusts like crazy? Strange, I used FG400/GG6 with a CCS orange LC pad with very good results - better than I ever hoped (multiple neighbors are begging me to do their cars now):

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/79369-menz-not-menz.html

I used speed 2 to spread, then speed 5.0 to 5.5 to work it approximately 8-10 passes per section working it until Menzerna told me to stop (when the product became a thin haze). Some sections received up to 12 passes at speed 5 with minimal dusting. Firm pressure for the first 3-4 passes, light pressure the rest. Again, very light dusting but I was working in the sun on a black car and the paint was quite warm.

I used a spritz of pad cleaner to prime my pad, not product.

Perhaps that last part is the key, providing a bit of extra lubricity.
 
Gokite said:
Dusts like crazy? Strange, I used FG400/GG6 with a CCS orange LC pad with very good results - better than I ever hoped (multiple neighbors are begging me to do their cars now):

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/79369-menz-not-menz.html

I used speed 2 to spread, then speed 5.0 to 5.5 to work it approximately 8-10 passes per section working it until Menzerna told me to stop (when the product became a thin haze). Some sections received up to 12 passes at speed 5 with minimal dusting. Firm pressure for the first 3-4 passes, light pressure the rest. Again, very light dusting but I was working in the sun on a black car and the paint was quite warm.

I used a spritz of pad cleaner to prime my pad, not product.

Perhaps that last part is the key, providing a bit of extra lubricity.
Click to expand...

I was doing my correction on the hood of this Range Rover when I decided to bump the speed up to see its performance. When I got to speed 5 that's when I started to notice the performance start to gradually decline. When I bumped it up to speed 6 for a fresh section, this is when I discovered FG400 being over worked in my case. I come back down to speed 3 and felt this was the sweet spot for it.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/64768-bmw-mike-takes-white-range-rover.html

Pad cleaner as your primer? Hmmm. That's odd. I would think the pad cleaner would decrease the products performance and may cause the dusting issue as pad cleaners are often a foam detergent of some sort to break up polish residue. On the other hand a pad conditioner would help lubricate the foam and act as a primer.
 
Mike, how would you tackle FG400 on a PFW pad?

I recently used the combo and it came out great, I just think it dusts because of the fiber trapping spent product so easily.
 
Pad cleaner as your primer? Hmmm. That's odd. I would think the pad cleaner would decrease the products performance and may cause the dusting issue as pad cleaners are often a foam detergent of some sort to break up polish residue. On the other hand a pad conditioner would help lubricate the foam and act as a primer.
Click to expand...

Well to add to it, it was 70 degrees, black truck and I worked with it in direct sunlight. The paint was very warm to the touch. So the situation was stacked against me, thinking this would probably have made the polish dust even more. If I were to put a reasoning behind it, I believe the pad cleaner prevents the polish from drying out as quickly (air moving through the foam, etc) and keeps it lubricated longer. I doubt the pad cleaner breaks down the polishing abrasives themselves.

Anyway, it worked great and that's what counts. I plan to continue to use pad cleaner to prime the pad any time I use the DA.
 
arisking said:
Mike, how would you tackle FG400 on a PFW pad?

I recently used the combo and it came out great, I just think it dusts because of the fiber trapping spent product so easily.
Click to expand...

I use the same technique on the Hybrid wool pads although I will add another spray of pad conditioner to ensure the wool fibers are well lubricated and ready to cut with your working product.

When using brand new wool pads it is normal for them shed to a certain extent. You should use a pad brush to lightly run against the face of the pad while running the machine to help remove these loose fibers. Also as you mentioned dusting with wool and this is normal because the fibers can trap product and disperse it on your surface. Depending on what you are trying to accomplish and if you want to eliminate the dusting, try using an Orange Hybrid cutting pad. You will be suprised at the level of cut it can provide. Now if you are trying to remove dead oxidized paint then wool may be needed.

Gokite said:
Well to add to it, it was 70 degrees, black truck and I worked with it in direct sunlight. The paint was very warm to the touch. So the situation was stacked against me, thinking this would probably have made the polish dust even more. If I were to put a reasoning behind it, I believe the pad cleaner prevents the polish from drying out as quickly (air moving through the foam, etc) and keeps it lubricated longer. I doubt the pad cleaner breaks down the polishing abrasives themselves.

Anyway, it worked great and that's what counts. I plan to continue to use pad cleaner to prime the pad any time I use the DA.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing your story on what worked out. :xyxthumbs:
 
Too bad you cannot get the hybrid pads in Germany. :(
No german business (or even in the EU) is selling them, so i would have to import them from the USA which means customs duty, high shipping costs et. al. :(
 
I must say, the more I use Menz products with this technique the more I love it. Just wanted to say thanks again Mike for the tips and write up!
 
:dblthumb2:Great write up, just got some FG-400 and SF-4000 before applying CQUK for some spring cleaning. Last go around polishing my Altima used the wrong pad and marred up the paing but with this last NY winter wouldnt have made a difference anyway! lol

keep up the great work Smack

:xyxthumbs:
 
Lanceb028 said:
:dblthumb2:Great write up, just got some FG-400 and SF-4000 before applying CQUK for some spring cleaning. Last go around polishing my Altima used the wrong pad and marred up the paing but with this last NY winter wouldnt have made a difference anyway! lol

keep up the great work Smack

:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

I'd recommend a double Eraser wipedown before applying CQUK since you're polishing with Menz...
 
Lanceb028 said:
:dblthumb2:Great write up, just got some FG-400 and SF-4000 before applying CQUK for some spring cleaning. Last go around polishing my Altima used the wrong pad and marred up the paing but with this last NY winter wouldnt have made a difference anyway! lol

keep up the great work Smack

:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Thank you sir! Let me know how your two step correction works out.

:props:
 
I may have posted 5-6 times on this thread supporting this technique,

I just cannot stress enough how much your teachings regarding Flex 3401, LC Hybrid pads and Menzerna polishes added to my detailing skills.

Here's what I was doing today, using Smack's Technique:
Before:
smacksbefore.png


During:
smacksinbetween.png


After:



Process consisted of Flex 3401, 4" Backing plate and 5" LC Hybrid WHITE pad, Menzerna SF4000 using speed 5, your priming / passes / ease on pressure on few last passes technique.

Personally paint looks much better than on pictures, I couldn't keep from bragging myself to everyone around on what I've done on only one step, using a finishing polish.

Thanks^2!

Kind Regards.
 
Looking good Rafael!!! Glad it continually works out for you.

BTW, have you heard back from the Menzerna rep?
 
Dear,

What I most like on this technique is the ability do 'Dial in' a test spot which gives an answer showing an 1-step correction/finishing process.

It's very straightforward since back with other tools / products I always needed 2 - 3 different steps to get results like shown above.

Generally, problem was not the correction, but the finishing ability. This process worked for me correcting the flaws while leaving the perfect finish.


About Menz. Rep:
Unfortunately, not yet. I don't think he lost interest, it's just his way.

The last time we talked (before his visit) he hasn't contacted me in a while, then called a day before saying he was going to visit me.

Also, he covers many areas around here, and my place actually is the minor part of his market, he's just starting on my city.

That said, I'm pretty sure more is to come, and he'll not forget seeing the products he represent being used in such a perfect manner.

I'll keep you updated as soon as I have some news.

Thank you mate,

Kind Regards.
 
I've always be a fan of menzerna products along with lake country pads, but I've always used the ccs and flat pads. While I feel I've achieved good results with this I've recently been looking to get more out of my flex 3401. I was considering even going rotary...I know the rotary is king, but I have a lot of practice to do before I'm ready for the rotary. With all that I've decided to purchase a bunch or hybrid pads based off this thread and its creditable people posting. Thanks for helping take my flex to the next level.
 
Don't know if this was asked but how much dime size compound/polish do you put after priming?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top