Menzerna SF4000/SF3500 Aficionados...

[dlc95]

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

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

Thanks!

[Harry Da Hamster]

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

[dlc95]

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

Have you ever had the 4500 dust up on you? How's your arm speed with it too?

[mcate]

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.

[Harry Da Hamster]

Have you ever had the 4500 dust up on you? How's your arm speed with it too?

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

[lawrenceSA]

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

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

Thanks!

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

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Here is an article I wrote a while back on getting the most out of Menzerna polishes with FLEX machines.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/77155-my-technique-concerning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html

[dlc95]

Here is an article I wrote a while back on getting the most out of Menzerna polishes with FLEX machines.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/77155-my-technique-concerning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html

Ah, I forgot to mist with M34.... I always forget....

Thanks for the refresher course, Mike!!

[Harry Da Hamster]

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

[mwoolfso]

+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.

[dlc95]

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

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".

[dlc95]

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

How much polish are you initially applying to the pad? How much to reload?

[Harry Da Hamster]

I load up with what you see to the left. I work that 8-9 passes. Then three pea size drops

[dlc95]

I load up with what you see to the left. I work that 8-9 passes. Then three pea size drops

Ha! No kiddin?

My gf loves that avatar too.

Thanks!

[RPM_BR]

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