Please compare: Menzerna, Poor boys, XMT

Kris R

Kris R

360Detail.com
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I am starting to detail more and more due to word of mouth. Currently I use a UDM, LC smart pads, and XMT polishes. Im very happy with XMT products and price...

However I really want to give Poor boys a try and Menzerna is highly recommended as well as a professional polish.

Could you guys compare the outcome, ease of use, price and longevity of these 3 products?

Im looking for a good product that gives consistent results that wont break me...

Although I'd love to do high-end details for owners who know the time, energy and cost to getting great results, I seem to be doing alot of detail work for owners that have neglected their rides (LOVE THE OUTCOME) but dont understand why you cant do the job for 35 bucks like the car wash down the street....
 
As for myself a newbie and new to this type of work for many.For me it's just another hobby for myself .I purchased the xmt products to use on my vette and didn't get the results i was looking for as far swirl removal it was a very easy product to work withbut wasn't able to remove the swirls.Aspault Rocket set me on the right path after that, Menzerma using my rotary took care of all my problems there SIP and there Nano polish was very easy to use looks great and my car is also black.My other cars i still use the xmt untill i run out.I picked up the poor boy natty blue today did a light coat on the vette was super easy and shine looks very deep.Understand i just do my cars and friends just to lean something new .Also using my PC with the Menzerna on my vette didn't do the job until i used my rotary.Hope this helped a little
 
I have used all on numerous occasions, and still recommend and offer Menzerna (SIP and Nano) to everyone. User friendly too...
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
I have used all on numerous occasions, and still recommend and offer Menzerna (SIP and Nano) to everyone. User friendly too...
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but what about all the people saying its hard to use with a pc? Ill definately use it when i get my rotary....

and as far as people bashing XMT....i have never had a problem with it....so far....
 
A1A_DETAIL said:
but what about all the people saying its hard to use with a pc? Ill definately use it when i get my rotary....

and as far as people bashing XMT....i have never had a problem with it....so far....
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:whs: I agree,
XMT is a fantastic product and this is not a forum to bash ANY product, to me its well above Sub-Par, I use it in my business for those customers who can't or won't pay for the 3 step process that I do on most of my work. Durability is questionable...but for a discounted price for customers its a fantastic product (XMT 360 ) every detailer probably has at least one or 2 bottles of this !!!
 
A1A_DETAIL said:
but what about all the people saying its hard to use with a pc? Ill definately use it when i get my rotary....

and as far as people bashing XMT....i have never had a problem with it....so far....
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It's not hard to use with a pc, plus it produces better results than the other two choices. Once you use it, it will be tough to use other polishes. I don't think anyone is bashing XMT, it just doesn't give the results other polishes do. I would prefer an honest answer about a product then one that is sugar coated.
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
It's not hard to use with a pc, plus it produces better results than the other two choices. Once you use it, it will be tough to use other polishes. I don't think anyone is bashing XMT, it just doesn't give the results other polishes do. I would prefer an honest answer about a product then one that is sugar coated.
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I agree. I too would like an honest answer...Lets just say this: I used Sonus polishes and was NOT impressed...then I tried some OTC megs stuff and was even MORE unimpressed....and so far since I bought the XMT stuff my results have quadrupled. Ive done some AMAZING jobs with the stuff. I took a FULLY oxidized 84 toyota pickup (red) and using just the xmt 3, 1, and glaze turned the hood back to NEW! Its good.

Now I havnt used any other products so I cant compare it to XMT. If Menzerna is a LEAP above XMT the way XMT is a LEAP above what else Ive used then thats AWESOME!

I will give it a try on my next order. Please tell me which ones to use because there are too many.

a good swirl remover, a fine swirl and a final glaze or polish.

also havnt heard much about Poor Boys.....hows that stuff? Im thinking Menzerna for my high end jobs and a good polish thats cheaper for my medium jobs...posibly XMT 360 for the basic wash/wax jobs.

Also what do you use to top the MENZERNA polish as far as wax goes?

I know im all over the place but Im a super fast learner and a sponge right now...want to know everything! :buffing::buffing::buffing:
 
I would pick up Menzerna Power Gloss, SIP, and 106FA. That will cover you you from top to bottom. You are not going to need two different polishes for your cheaper or high end details. Reason being is that you do not use a lot of product when polishing with Menzerna. A little goes along way, so I see no reason not to use Menzerna in all your details. I personally see no need for a glaze if you polished the paint correctly. Plus after washing the vehicle a couple of times the glaze goes away and so does your results, this to me is giving a false impression to the customer. Having a great quality polish will give you the best results and like I said above you do not use alot product with Menzerna so in the end you will not break the bank. I use a couple other polishes that AG does not sell just in case Menzerna acts up in certain weather conditions, which is rarely, but just in case. You will be very happy when you use the Menzerna polishes and wishing you picked them up sooner.
 
If you're a beginner, then XMT is fantastic. I personally don't like it, and that is my opinion. Why anyone would bother with XMT when products like Menzerna SIP/Nano, and 3M Ultrafina are out there is beyond me. I feel that any detailer worth their salt in detailing won't waste their time using XMT, not matter what kind of detail they're doing.
 
joshs07redss said:
If you're a beginner, then XMT is fantastic. I personally don't like it, and that is my opinion. Why anyone would bother with XMT when products like Menzerna SIP/Nano, and 3M Ultrafina are out there is beyond me. I feel that any detailer worth their salt in detailing won't waste their time using XMT, not matter what kind of detail they're doing.
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I simply disagree. Not EVERY customer wants, cares about, or needs the full detail. As stated before, even though this is primarily a hobby, and a small side business, I'd LOVE to have swirl infested vehicles to make new and be paid for the hours put into it...but a lot of people just want a wash and wax and vacuum. They either dont care about their car long term or dont make the money to pay someone to detail it completely.

They go down to the local car wash and end up with water spots, bug guts all over their front end and coffee still spilled in their cup holder. They pay 40 bucks. they pay ME 55-75 to wash ALL the bugs off, put a coat of wax on and vacuum out the inside and wipe it down.

I'll put some XMT 360 thats 15 bucks on it and when they get it back they will go on and on about how happy they are with the job, tell all their friends for the next few weeks and I make some quick easy money till my next REAL detail. You get what you pay for and for what it is I have NEVER been disapointed with XMT.

I am going to buy some Menzerna based on the high reviews because I want to do the bes job possible. But at the same time I actually used all of XMT's line. And with LC pads and a UDM I have done some incredible work. I JUST did a black tundra on thursday with only XMT 3,2,1 and glaze and topped with a wax and it looks amazing.
 
Bunky said:
There are a lot products out there and it often takes experience not inexperience to use a product correctly.
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Being a beginer has nothing to do with weather a product is fantastic or not. The only inexperience from me comes with using different products. My previous experience was with all 3M products. I worked at a detail shop at a porsche/mercedes dealer and all the products were 3M and were poured into generic bottles. Now that I do this on my own, Im experimenting with whats good and whats not.

Besides....It doesnt matter if I have hammered 1 million nails or 1 nail...if you have proper form, function and supplies it doesnt matter how many times you've done it. You are either doing it right or your are doing it wrong.

I get a little irritated that a lot of these threads turn into a pissing match with egos and experience. Anyone with a question gets faced with "well youre just a noob" "well your just inexperienced."
 
I just read that Menzerna Sticky at the top. It states that the polish is meant to break down using friction and heat. The polish is meant for a rotary buffer.

How can these polishes be effectively used using a UDM/PC? It seems you are wasting expensive product by using it with a DA polisher.

Could someone shed some light on this for me? I hear some say "Menz is GREAT with a DA ! You wont be let down!"

And others say things like "Its too picky, its too hard, weather conditions this and that, it wont break down...etc"Feed back please
 
XMT is a great polish line and most consider an upgrade or equal to the SSR polishes. It is ok not to like a line or to find one more appealing and yes all lines need some use and experience to get the best from them. Choose what you like and learn the pro's and con's of each.
 
If you guys are happy with your XMT line, then that is good. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm bashing because it's not my intent. I'm simply saying there are better products out there, and if I'm going to spend the time to clean my car correctly, I want to make it worthwhile and use the best products. I'm very picky with how my car looks, and anything but perfect is unacceptable.
 
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A1A_DETAIL said:
I just read that Menzerna Sticky at the top. It states that the polish is meant to break down using friction and heat. The polish is meant for a rotary buffer.

How can these polishes be effectively used using a UDM/PC? It seems you are wasting expensive product by using it with a DA polisher.

Could someone shed some light on this for me? I hear some say "Menz is GREAT with a DA ! You wont be let down!"

And others say things like "Its too picky, its too hard, weather conditions this and that, it wont break down...etc"Feed back please
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Menzerna will work with a da. It just takes a little longer to break down.When you are done with Menzerna you will understand why people rave about it. If you read my response on the first page I believe I mentioned what you are asking above. Polishes are like anything else some are better than others, and Menzerna is hands down better than XMT. I have been doing this for many years and it seems like people new to detailing really enjoy this polish because it is user friendly and does make a difference on the finish. I would agree that this is more a newbie type polish and if you have used Menzerna than you would understand why people call it this. I am sure for the hobbyist that doesn't run into all different types of paint then it would work great. If you are going to do this as side money or start doing this as your main means of income you are going to need something better than just XMT. Once again after you try the Menzerna then you will understand the above comments and like they say you get what you pay for. Is Menzerna the best, I would say it is one of them, there is also some of the 3M line that is excellent and then there is Scholls that is very, very good, and a few Meguiars products M105 and M205 just to name a couple. All these mentioned are better than XMT and once you get into detailing you will understand that.
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
Menzerna will work with a da. It just takes a little longer to break down.When you are done with Menzerna you will understand why people rave about it. If you read my response on the first page I believe I mentioned what you are asking above. Polishes are like anything else some are better than others, and Menzerna is hands down better than XMT. I have been doing this for many years and it seems like people new to detailing really enjoy this polish because it is user friendly and does make a difference on the finish. I would agree that this is more a newbie type polish and if you have used Menzerna than you would understand why people call it this. I am sure for the hobbyist that doesn't run into all different types of paint then it would work great. If you are going to do this as side money or start doing this as your main means of income you are going to need something better than just XMT. Once again after you try the Menzerna then you will understand the above comments and like they say you get what you pay for. Is Menzerna the best, I would say it is one of them, there is also some of the 3M line that is excellent and then there is Scholls that is very, very good, and a few Meguiars products M105 and M205 just to name a couple. All these mentioned are better than XMT and once you get into detailing you will understand that.
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what pads would you suggest using Menzerna with? I have LC pads.
 
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