Menzerna 3 step process

[1981z28]

I'm looking to bring my '81 z28 original paint back to life, it came from the factory with water base paint. I Know the outcome will not be a show car but I would like to get rid of the deep scratches and swirls.

Have any of you guy's used Menzerna before?, I'm a little confused with all the different numbers and line of products.

I'm looking for a 3 stage process along with the matching buffing pads.

Before polishing I intend to use Mothers Clay bar kit


https://nastyz28.com/attachments/1981-camaro-z28-0048-jpg.125851/

[Rsurfer]

Do a test spot. Menz 400 and a yellow Rupes pad might be all you need.

[wing commander]

Why so aggressive instead of just make it shine and preserve the paint if it is original?

[dgage]

Why so aggressive instead of just make it shine and preserve the paint if it is original?

OP mentioned deep scratches and though the compound is aggressive, the pad isn’t.

[Desertnate]

Great looking car. I think that generation is the best looking Camaros Chevy ever built.

I have two thoughts.

1. Just because you have a big job to do, don't automatically assume you'll need to do a three stop process. Let the paint be your guide. It might take three steps, or it might only need two depending on product/pad usage
2. Menzerna makes great products from what I understand, but they do have a pretty diverse product line. I'm not sure I'd be able to easily pick out the right products I need for my uses without some research...beyond 400 which is clearly their compound. You might look at the Griots Boss Products or other who simply offer a compound, medium polish/swirl remover, and a finishing polish.

All that said, if you're starting from scratch I would have three levels of polish on hand (compound, medium cut, fine cut), and at least a handful of compounding/cutting pads and polishing pads. With two pad choices and three polishes at your disposal you can mix and match to see what works best. You may be able to polish out most of the car with the polishes and save the compound for the worst areas on the car. You can specifically target some areas which need more effort and treat other areas more gentle because they don't need as much work. This will save you time, products, and only reduce the paint on your car where it is absolutely needed.

[98CayenneTA]

Can you take a light and capture the damage you're trying to correct like the picture shown below.....

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210902/c7900e33a9f107fff3ed47d3f2168d11.jpg

[1981z28]

Thanks for the reply,

The car has some deep scratches in lots of areas, also I was detailing the engine bay and I did a horrible job at masking off the car and got lots of fine mist of paint all over the car, the car is currently very dusty and I will begin with a wash and clay bar.

here are some pictures

74263
74264
74265

[98CayenneTA]

First pass I would try Menzerna 400 with a Lake Country microfiber pad then finish with a Buff & Shine orange pad with CarPro Essence

[1981z28]

so you would start with this :

Medium Cut Polish 2400
Medium Cut Polish 2400 | menzerna polishing compounds GmbH & Co. KG (https://www.menzerna.com/products/polishes/car-polishes/medium-cut/medium-cut-polish-2400/)

and end with this ?

Medium Cut Polish 2500 | menzerna polishing compounds GmbH & Co. KG (https://www.menzerna.com/products/polishes/car-polishes/medium-cut/medium-cut-polish-2500/)

I'm so confused and there different stages

I appreciate all the help

[98CayenneTA]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210903/6eaa984a9538e1a1e35516242468b0ab.jpg

[1981z28]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210903/6eaa984a9538e1a1e35516242468b0ab.jpg

What finishing one compound should i get?

thanks

[98CayenneTA]

Start with this
Menzerna Heavy Cut Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound (https://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-fast-gloss.html)

Finish with this
CarPro Essence Xtreme Gloss Enhancer 250 ml (https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-essence-xtreme.html)

[opie]

so you would start with this :

Medium Cut Polish 2400
Medium Cut Polish 2400 | menzerna polishing compounds GmbH & Co. KG (https://www.menzerna.com/products/polishes/car-polishes/medium-cut/medium-cut-polish-2400/)

and end with this ?

Medium Cut Polish 2500 | menzerna polishing compounds GmbH & Co. KG (https://www.menzerna.com/products/polishes/car-polishes/medium-cut/medium-cut-polish-2500/)

I'm so confused and there different stages

I appreciate all the helpI would go with menz 400(compound). Then go to menz 3500(ultra fine polish). These two are my go to. Amazing products imo

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[opie]

I dont know that i would use a microfiber cutting pad. 400 has some heavy cut. Try it with a lc hybrid force orange then a lc hybrid force white for the 3500.

Well thats if your using forced rotation machine. If not then maybe a micro pad.
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[98CayenneTA]

I dont know that i would use a microfiber cutting pad. 400 has some heavy cut. Try it with a lc hybrid force orange then a lc hybrid force white for the 3500.

Well thats if your using forced rotation machine. If not then maybe a micro pad.
Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

The damage to his vehicle in the picture's is pretty severe