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

Tato said:
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.
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Using this technique and perfecting it will allow you to achieve some pretty aggressive correction action while still finishing up darn near LSP ready. Get the hang of it and FG400 on a blue pad will give you the correction you are after and if following up with a paint cleanser such as PBL Cleansing Polish will pull out any minor hazing.

Sounds good Rafael. Keep us updated.

Newdetailer1 said:
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.
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I too am a fan of Menzerna polishes with LC pads and wanted to really perfect my technique on using this setup.

Try out a few of these pads using my technique and see where that gets you.

You will be amazed at the amount of correction and finishing you can get with FG400 on the orange pad. You may not even need the rotary. But it never hurts to have the PE just in case you need it. Also the controls are the exact same on the PE as the 3401 so it will be a natural progession to get the hang of the PE.

Be sure to report back with questions or comments on how these pads perform for you.
 
kjn said:
Don't know if this was asked but how much dime size compound/polish do you put after priming?
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Answered in my OP.

smack said:
When starting with a fresh new pad regardless of color choice or Menzerna selection is to first prime the pad with one mist of a pad conditioner or equivalent and then 4-6 dime sized dots of product depending on the size of the pad and area to be worked.

:)
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kjn said:
I thought it was 4-6 dime sizes for priming? Or is it for each time? Thanks
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After priming a fresh pad with a pad conditioning spray or equivelant, use 4-6 dime sized drops of working polish to start each section. Also depending on how big the pad is and how big the panel is determines how much working product I will add.
 
sorry I didnt read through all the pages and posts so this question may have already been answered,

I used the Lake Country Orange and white hybrid pads this last weekend and a concern of mine was how stiff the pads were and how much product it took to get them nice , primed and softened. And considering how concentrated FG400 is, I wasn't happy with priming the pad with a ton of this product first, as I'm sure anyone who's used this compound knows, you will never be able to finish out the polishing cycle if you overuse it.

So I was wondering what pad conditioner you use with these pads ? I've never used a pad conditioner before so i'm kind of at a loss of which one works best ?
 
smack said:
Using this technique and perfecting it will allow you to achieve some pretty aggressive correction action while still finishing up darn near LSP ready. Get the hang of it and FG400 on a blue pad will give you the correction you are after and if following up with a paint cleanser such as PBL Cleansing Polish will pull out any minor hazing.

Sounds good Rafael. Keep us updated.



I too am a fan of Menzerna polishes with LC pads and wanted to really perfect my technique on using this setup.

Try out a few of these pads using my technique and see where that gets you.

You will be amazed at the amount of correction and finishing you can get with FG400 on the orange pad. You may not even need the rotary. But it never hurts to have the PE just in case you need it. Also the controls are the exact same on the PE as the 3401 so it will be a natural progession to get the hang of the PE.

Be sure to report back with questions or comments on how these pads perform for you.
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I agree, the orange hybrid pad teamed up with the flex and slow arm speed can really tackle some serious defects. and the pad is super durable. I too found FG400 to correct better at a slower speed (speed 4 on the flex) and the polished just reacted better, easier to wipe off and less dust.
 
mg6045 said:
sorry I didnt read through all the pages and posts so this question may have already been answered,

I used the Lake Country Orange and white hybrid pads this last weekend and a concern of mine was how stiff the pads were and how much product it took to get them nice , primed and softened. And considering how concentrated FG400 is, I wasn't happy with priming the pad with a ton of this product first, as I'm sure anyone who's used this compound knows, you will never be able to finish out the polishing cycle if you overuse it.

So I was wondering what pad conditioner you use with these pads ? I've never used a pad conditioner before so i'm kind of at a loss of which one works best ?
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When priming the pads my method is to mist a spray of a pad conditioner and then add the working product. I do not use the KBM method on my setup.

Here is the conditioner I use.
Wolfgang Pad Werks Polishing Pad Conditioner

mg6045 said:
I agree, the orange hybrid pad teamed up with the flex and slow arm speed can really tackle some serious defects. and the pad is super durable. I too found FG400 to correct better at a slower speed (speed 4 on the flex) and the polished just reacted better, easier to wipe off and less dust.
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6-8 section passes is the sweet spot when handling FG400.
 
Great stuff here!
I also use fg 400 with low speed and up to medium pressure,otherwise it start to dust a lot.
I must get l.c hybrid pads,now i'm using mostly megs pads.
What is You opinion on cleaning pads with compressed air? I mostly clean them that way.
 
rele said:
Great stuff here!
I also use fg 400 with low speed and up to medium pressure,otherwise it start to dust a lot.
I must get l.c hybrid pads,now i'm using mostly megs pads.
What is You opinion on cleaning pads with compressed air? I mostly clean them that way.
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Thank you sir!

I have also noticed FG400 gumming up and dusting when I run it faster.

You need some Hybrid pads!

I wouldn't use compressed air on foam pads. That is better suited to mf pads.
 
Thnak's Mike:xyxthumbs:
Now must get pad washer too....
 
Tato said:
I'm one more that gave up m105, but I'm always interested in trying M101... too bad I have to order 32oz (only size available), just for testing purposes...

I plentiful agree with comment (by James) above, FG400 + hybrids are the way to go, however my new 'all-time-favorite' menzerna product is SF4000, I mainly use technique described on this thread ('Smack's technique) and it goes from 'pale paint' and fine swirls to a high mirror glass shine.

I use it mainly on white hybrid...

Thanks Smack for sharing your experience and this wonderful technique.

Kind Regards.
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What speed do you use for the SF4000 as a one step?
 
Dear,

I may start my test spot using speed 5 (on the Flex 3401 DA polisher).

You prime the pad like stated in the 'method', with a fine mist of QD. Add 3-5 drops of product depending on work area size.

Dab the product over surface, and spread it evenly with one fast pass using low speed (gently pull the trigger simulating speed 1).

After that, crank up speed to 5, add firm pressure and work your arm speed slow over the section. You may do 4 passes this way, before easing on pressure for the last 2 passes.

Some tips for adjustment: When working such fine product as 1-step, I try to take advantage of the initial cut of it working more pressure and slower arm speed on the first passes.

For the last few passes, it's a matter of how the paint is responding to see how you may proceed. In some cases, only releasing the pressure (maintain speed 5) is enough. In other cases, I may even slow speed to 3-4 together with ease on pressure to finish down better).

I may chose a white polishing pad more often for SF4000 as one step, but depending on paint (if too soft), a gray/black finishing pad can be your choice.

Hope that answers your question,

Kind Regards.
 
smack said:
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.
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On DAT products I use a shot of detail spray to prime pad and on each addition of material. I picked this up from the Junkman and it works for me.
 
Bicycle said:
On DAT products I use a shot of detail spray to prime pad and on each addition of material. I picked this up from the Junkman and it works for me.
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Thanks for replying on your variation on what works for you.

Which Detail Spray do you use?
 
smack said:
Thanks for replying on your variation on what works for you.

Which Detail Spray do you use?
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I use Adams detail spray. I know there are others just as good but this one smells pretty good. Seriously, it's a good product.
 
As usual, the Flex and smack method amazes me again. Correcting my personal vehicle and prepping for coating and finished down with SF4000 and a white hybrid pad. 4 passes at speed 5, then 2 passes at speed 4 with almost no weight on the machine and she finishes down beautifully. Finally getting the hang of these DAT products. :xyxthumbs:
 
zexel said:
As usual, the Flex and smack method amazes me again. Correcting my personal vehicle and prepping for coating and finished down with SF4000 and a white hybrid pad. 4 passes at speed 5, then 2 passes at speed 4 with almost no weight on the machine and she finishes down beautifully. Finally getting the hang of these DAT products. :xyxthumbs:
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Great to hear! Thanks for sharing your success story!

Glad you are getting the hang of this setup.
 
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