Menzerna 3 in 1 review in a black Fiat Punto and the Tato Technique

[RPM_BR]

Intro
I was afraid of publishing this review. First, it will be judged by the best detailers in the world. Second, I always follow my old man's many advices, and one of his advices is 'if you don't have anything good to say, shut up and listen'; but I think I have something interesting to say this time. Third, I keep seeing nice reviews about Vettes, Porsches, BMWs, and my review is about a humble Fiat Punto. Fourth, I also see nice environment in the pictures, like grassy sidewalks and nice neighboorhoods, but my surroundings are ugly, since I work in an old part of town, with sidewalks covered with weeds, cigarette butts, dog poos, and there are a lot of bums in the streets and an occasional crackhead asking for money, which always scares 'tha hell outta me'. But the rent is cheap, 400USD for around 2500 sq. ft., with 127V, 230V and 380V availability. It has been a mechanic shop since 1940's, and I had to replace wires, tiles, paint the walls, floor etc. I also have to seal the doors every night because of roaches, but I'm not afraid of roaches, I'm afraid of the yellow scorpions that come after the roaches, I already found two little bastids here. Not to mention the rats. But here I am, detailing in a 400 thousand city in Brazil, in a poor, humble, old neighborhood.

Big Menzerna Fan
First of all, I'm a big Menzerna fan. As you can see below, this is my Menzerna line up.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90455
The Menzerna PL is missing from this picture

I always try and buy other products and brands as well, and try to keep an open mind, like Meg's 83/101/205, Sonax Abrasive and Nano, Carpro Fixer and Reflect, and Optimum (I haven't tried them yet), and keep wondering if I should try HD polish.
But I keep returning to Menzerna. I say to myself, "Nah, too dusty", "nah, to much filler on it", "nah, unimpressive", "nah, too watery" and so on.
Therefore, when big Menzerna launched the 3 in 1 and the 300, my mouth was watering, I was frantic, I looked like my daughter looking at the Apple site the specs about the IPhone 6 (she has the 4S). So, I bought two liters of 300 and one of 3 in 1. The 300 I already used in a silver Santa Fe, I can give details about it later, and the 3 in 1 I received five days ago. I needed a car to test it!

The Customer
A customer, a lovely couple in the late twenties, came up in my shop with a very swirled, full of holograms and buffer trails black Fiat Punto 2010. I looked at it and said 'Holy Cow', and the customer said it was a work of a detailer done a year ago. The customer also followed the detailer progress in his car, since he is also a car buff, and he told me that the detailer had cut with a foam, and polished with a double sided wool in a rotary. Then he applied some Teflon wax I wouldn't dare to ask the name of it.
I told him that the detailer should be polishing stones in a penitentiary, and we laughed about it, but I regretted as soon as I said, since the detailer is just a guy trying to make a living with a lack of knowledge and proper technique.
The customer said he could bring the car on Friday 9AM, and get the car back at 4PM Saturday, since it is the only car he had and he wanted to use to go somewhere at 5PM. We started to discuss about the price, and he started to bargain and said he is hard working guy etc, which reminded me the Queen song 'he's just a poor guy from a poor family, ...".
But then the customer told me that he "heard that I'm good at fixing black cars", which made me feel flattered, and he hit a sweet spot in my heart. I said OK, I will polish it, but I won't touch the interior, wheels, engine bay nor vacuum clean it, since it is a huge fix and the time is short, and I work alone, and the money is not quite right. He agreed, and left the car this Friday.
After washing and claying, I thought about putting the car in a container and send it to Mike at Florida so eight pairs of skilfull hands would take care of it a Boot Camp. I also remembered one of his phrases, I'm always remembering his catchy phrases, "the only valid test is in a black car", so I decided I would test my Menzerna 3 in 1 that arrived few days ago, as an AIO due to the time restraints, and try the new "Tato Technique" that a learned couple days ago with my sponsor/mentor/AGO human branch in Brazil and really good friend Rafael "Tato" Senzi.
Would the M3in1 be able to correct this mess, and with such a poor polisher operator?

Before Shots

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90456


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90457


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90458


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90459


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90460


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90462


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90463&size=1


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90464


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90465


The Tato AIO Technique
Originally developed for Menzerna 4000 or 4500, it consists in using a 3401 with hybrid pads, white and black mostly (but even orange can fit in depending on the car paint hardness). Really slow passes, 5 passes with strong pressure, but instead of wiping out the product in the panel, YOU LEAVE IT THERE, clean the pad (in my case I only use compressed air), put four drops and start to work again over the remaining product. You do three more passes with pressure, and the last two no pressure at all. Amazing! Man, I was eager to try the 3 in 1 and the new Tato Technique. More details with the man himself.

The Weapons of Choice
Flex 3401
Three white hybrid pads
Menzerna 3 in 1
LAE 36, a Brazilian Chemical Stripper (if there is such a word)
IPA 15%

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90466

Back up
Menzerna 2500, 3000 and 4000
MF finishing pads, cheap Chinese pads
Orange and black hybrid pads
Rupes 21 and Rupes mf finishing pads

The car
Black Fiat Punto 2010, with 100k kms
Paint medium to soft
Heavily neglected, swirled, and full of holograms and buffer trails
Nasty touch ups
Poor repaint job in the two right doors, with early signs of clearcoat failure
Poor clearcoat spray procedure in the repainting job, apparently cheap clearcoat brand and lousy professional work
Very thin Clearcoat all over, thanks to the previous detailer and to FIAT (do they make thin Clearcoat these days)
Lots and lots of stone chips, specially in the hood
Bird droppings marks
Corners with the typical marks of rotary misuse
RIDS

Initial Impressions
I started without doing spot test, I just went half of the hood with my 3401 white hybrid and the Tato Technique.
I started to work the 3 in 1 and thought "wow, I can work this product forever", the 3 in 1 can be worked what seems to be indefinitely, what a product, it catched my attention right away. Thin and a bit oily, I did the Tato technique, removed the product, which is a bit hard to remove, leaving a thin film, so I had to use LAE and IPA to do a complete removal.
The M3in1 cut like a charm, and left a glossy finishing. Very glossy for an AIO. It was ready, I couldn't believe it! It wasn't a work to be exhibited a SEMA, or to be really proud of, RIDSless, but it was a huge improvement if you compare to the original condition. Finally I used an AIO that is a real AIO. I made the other half of the hood, and then I did another four passes in the entire hood, to level it up.
The funny about this car is that the hood wasn't as bad as the doors, usually the hood is worse than the doors, but looking closer with a magnifying lens I saw like really tiny dots, tiny depressions, an indication that the clearcoat is thin and shallow and the paint is starting to show up. I felt really glad I didn't use a harsher, more abrasive product and procedure in this car, or this 'car bomb' would blow in my hands.

The Tato Technique in action

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90467


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90468


The result

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90469


The right side
With the time running out, I went to doors that had been repainted. Tato technique, but this time I pushed the envelope a bit, and did six passes strong pressure, then cleaned the pad, four drops and did more two strong, two medium and two with no pressure. IPA and LAE, to see the real result and to completely remove the film, and done.
The repainted part was hazier than the rest, so just to check if it was a product problem, a lack of cut, I grabbed my rupes with mf and Menz 2500 and did few passes at the troubled spot. No visible improvement. I was lucky that the owner went to the shop to check what was going on, I showed him the troubled spot and said that I would leave it this way, since I don't know if behind this hazed clearcoat, if I remove it, I will hit the repainted paint itself. He agreed and I went on. Menzerna 3 in 1 passed the test so far.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90470


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90471


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90472


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90473http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90474


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90475


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90476


The LC Hybrid taking its toll
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90477


Lousy Repaint job and poorly done Clearcoat spray
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90478


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90479


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90480

A lousy touch up
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90481


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90482


The left side
It was worse than the the right, so Tato Technique again, but this time I pushed even further, I made like fourteen passes and used a small variant, left the product on the panel TWICE, but the third series of pass I used a fresh pad. Done! To tell you the truth, the back left door I lost account of passes, since It was really hot, I was dripping sweat and I was thinking about some problems that I felt like a polishing zombie for few minutes, dettached from reality for a while.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90483


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90484


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90485


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90486


Roof, trunk and bumpers
The roof I did it with the usual wipe-off-after-you-polish technique, and it came good. But I was really impressed with my buddy's procedure, and the way 'it married' to the 3in1. Since it wasn't so bad, I left this way. Time was running short, let's keep on moving.
Trunk and bumpers I did as the hood, no additional info.


Final results, unfortunately on a cloudy day
These pictures are without the sealant
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90487


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90488


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90489


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90490


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90491


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90492


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90493


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90494


Finally I used Menzerna Power Lock sealant, and delivered to the customer on time, who was happy with the results and paid me in cash.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90495


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90496


Far from perfect, but quite an improvement from the original condition
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90497


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90498


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90499


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90500


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90501


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90502

A small Cell Phone movie I made:

Before
http://youtu.be/QLG4h1bmu-Y

After
http://youtu.be/WCdfHKlYc_4

Final conclusions
The Menzerna 3 in 1 is the best AIO I've laid my hands on. A mature, extremely well developed product. A killer, especially on a Flex with hybrids. Long working time. Economical. Glossy, really glossy. IMHO, bullseye, I will be using it and buying it again for sure! Oh, I already did it, since I feel I will be using a lot, especially with the cheap/one pass clients.
Of course it can't be compared to the traditional two passes polishing style, like FG400 and SF4000, and two type of foam densities, but it gets pretty close.
And conditions on harder paints and other DAs and pad systems, yet to be determined (I'm planning trying with Rupes with Rupes MF, we shall see).
The only cons I see is a bit hard removal, but I believe that it is a collateral effect of long working time, and the Tato Technique, since it will diminish the already thin abrasives, therefore the spreading and the adherence to the paint is more intense.
And maybe a bit, a very tiny bit, of needing more cut. But who am I to tell Menzerna what to do? I bow and kneel to Menzerna.

It looks like that the 3in1 is a PP Ultra with some FG400, and the PP Ultra is a Menzerna SW with SF4000.

I really hope you guys enjoyed reading, and pardon for typos or possible english mistakes. Sorry for the picture quality, cell phone low light quality, I promise I will have a dedicated camera for the next one. I wrote it as I watched the Superbowl game on TV, I don't know much about American football, but I can tell you this: what a game, eh? RPM

PS: I already used the 3in1 in another car, a black Ford Ecosport 2010 severely contaminated with white paint spray, cooked for seven months so it adhered strongly to the paint, and thanks to Mike's help I used the clay pad in a PC. It got really really hazed after that, though very smooth, and I used Flex 3401 with orange this time, since the white wasn't cutting enough, and I also hit the 5 speed, Tato Technique, and voilá, AIO again! Sorry, no pics, the customer picked up the car at 9PM.

[haris300]

Wow those are some insane results for an AIO. May I ask how easy it was to wipe clean after polishing? The reason I ask is because Wolfgang's Uber AIO tends to be a bit sticky after working the product. Great review by the way, thanks for sharing.

[RPM_BR]

Wow those are some insane results for an AIO. May I ask how easy it was to wipe clean after polishing? The reason I ask is because Wolfgang's Uber AIO tends to be a bit sticky after working the product. Great review by the way, thanks for sharing.

Hi Sir. It wasn't easy at all, I had to chemically remove the film/residue. But I used a not so good mf towel, nothing like an Uber towel or something like that.

[Kamakaz1961]

Wow excellent work and thank you for the review! I am a Menzerna fan too and adding the 3 and 1 into my arsenal is not a bad thing. I am a 2-step guy FG400 and SF4500, however, there are some that only want a 1 step. This is what it will be for.
Again excellent review!!

[SameGuy]

Crazy good results, but what an insane amount of work! I'm wondering if maybe something like 2500 would have worked better with less passes, considering you also stripped and applied a separate sealant. That's just a hobbyist's opinion, of course, so maybe I'm talking out of my butt. :)

Either way, if I got results like that I'd be thrilled! :dblthumbs2:

[Tato]

Great Review, using a black car to showdown is definitively a good way to start with.

It was a surprise for me that you really did a thread and reviewed a technique we talked about that day, and from the results shown I can only say it worked really nice!


On the other hand, being cited I feel in obligation to let some aspects clear regarding fine adjustments towards improving the way you're (already) successfully using my directions. I'm really happy it's working for you.

*****

When I started 'Re-Adding / Re-Working' product without complete wipe-off I had some things in mind:

- Time VS Number of Polishing Steps
- Number of Polishing Steps VS Results (Decent Cut / Decent Finish)

Market Leaders Like Menzerna are frequently trying to develop 2in1 and 3in1 products in order to resolve the questions I've put above.

That said, I had to work my way out and ended up 'developing a working plan' which I call '2in1' Polishing Step.

This work plan is also based on a general polish direction that is 'add more product as/if needed' (every variation of this statement). That's what I do.

To guarantee success within this technique you may be sure 1-step is Almost Enough to get the job done.

What I do is work complementary passes to the area already worked with fresh product (add more product as needed).

- POLISHING IN (~ a 'cutting step')

.You work with firm pressure, slow arm speed and high polisher speed, in order to get the most from product being used and depending on polish chosen (and area size) will happen in about 5-6 section passes (Finer Polishes Like SF4000 may need even less, 4-5 section passes maximum).

This may leave you with just a thin film of polishing oils and fine abrasives broken in the first process that are what makes Menzerna products so incredible to my taste.

- POLISHING OUT (~ a 'Smack's Technique step')

.Clean the pad - This is key. After doing the first 5-6 passes, stop polishing and run the pad brush, compressed air or even a towel (the way you prefer) to get the pad clean like you do (or should, always) before start polishing every new section.

Some people add water (spray water on surface / pad), some spray QD, I just 'Add more product as needed'! ;)

The pictures from OP shows perfectly how he adds more product after working the first section passes. Dab the surface again, spread in a fast pass and continue working.

This time, I work my preferred way for Flex, Hybrids and Menzerna which is the very well know here 'Smack's Technique'. This consists basically in working 'harder' for first few passes and reducing pressure as you approach the end of polishing cycle to get the most from Cutting and Finishing abilities from the polish being used.

In the end, I've 'saved' one wipe off and am finished with 2 polishing steps results per section.

The wipe off should be a breeze (like a conventional wipe off), otherwise you're using too much product / overusing, or over / underworking.

----------

The 'difficult' you've found removing 3n1 residue should be due a bit of overuse of product, but not only, because from my experience with PP ultra the 'AIO' products are a bit harder (but not hard) to remove than the conventional polishing liquids.

I've never used an AIO for this approach but with conventional polishes, mostly SF4000 (which is an amazing product with very good cutting abilities for the finish it provides).

On the other hand, I can't say I'd ever work more than 10-11 passes (which are ~2 conventional polishing steps). If you're needing more than this, then you should:

- start doing the first passes (Polishing IN) with an orange / coarser pad and then Polishing OUT with a finer pad like white or even black (clean and add fresh product to the 'finishing pad').

Seems few time (one wipe off per section, and less time than working 2 conventional steps with close related results), but adding up in the end you'll find out it's a lot.

_____________________

Finally, I don't ever risk calling this a 'Tato Technique', otherwise a 'Lazy Man-but OCD- Technique', since I'm just 'Following General Polish Directions' and then using the well known Smack's technique. It's for use when the 6 conventional section passes let you with the feeling you need just a few more to get the job done. This perception is what will guarantee success using the method above.

_____________________

I'm glad you were able to work your way out and test out some different ways to work this beautiful profession. Polishing cars is a tricky activity which is dependent on the test spot results - you move on from there. That said, there's no magical recipe or technique other than solid polishing skills (practice) and knowledge (full of it here at AGO) that will get you to the results you're after.

Thank you for this write up,

Please, feel free to ask if you need further help.

Kind Regards.

[POPPAJ]

Really don't see this as a good AIO if you have to chemically remove it. Better off with a straight polish and separate sealant or wax. How about Maguires D151 as an AIO, good cut depending on the pad used and leaves some protection.

[RPM_BR]

Wow excellent work and thank you for the review! I am a Menzerna fan too and adding the 3 and 1 into my arsenal is not a bad thing. I am a 2-step guy FG400 and SF4500, however, there are some that only want a 1 step. This is what it will be for.
Again excellent review!!

Thanks a lot, Sir. Try the 300 as well!

[RPM_BR]

Crazy good results, but what an insane amount of work! I'm wondering if maybe something like 2500 would have worked better with less passes, considering you also stripped and applied a separate sealant. That's just a hobbyist's opinion, of course, so maybe I'm talking out of my butt. :)

Either way, if I got results like that I'd be thrilled! :dblthumbs2:

No, you are not, your considerations are always welcome. The 2500 probably would, though not so glossy I think. I would need another pass of 4000. The number of passes was over the top, but I wanted to push the envelope to see how far it would go for reviewing purposes.

[RPM_BR]

Great Review, using a black car to showdown is definitively a good way to start with.

It was a surprise for me that you really did a thread and reviewed a technique we talked about that day, and from the results shown I can only say it worked really nice!


On the other hand, being cited I feel in obligation to let some aspects clear regarding fine adjustments towards improving the way you're (already) successfully using my directions. I'm really happy it's working for you.

*****

When I started 'Re-Adding / Re-Working' product without complete wipe-off I had some things in mind:

- Time VS Number of Polishing Steps
- Number of Polishing Steps VS Results (Decent Cut / Decent Finish)

Market Leaders Like Menzerna are frequently trying to develop 2in1 and 3in1 products in order to resolve the questions I've put above.

That said, I had to work my way out and ended up 'developing a working plan' which I call '2in1' Polishing Step.

This work plan is also based on a general polish direction that is 'add more product as/if needed' (every variation of this statement). That's what I do.

To guarantee success within this technique you may be sure 1-step is Almost Enough to get the job done.

What I do is work complementary passes to the area already worked with fresh product (add more product as needed).

- POLISHING IN (~ a 'cutting step')

.You work with firm pressure, slow arm speed and high polisher speed, in order to get the most from product being used and depending on polish chosen (and area size) will happen in about 5-6 section passes (Finer Polishes Like SF4000 may need even less, 4-5 section passes maximum).

This may leave you with just a thin film of polishing oils and fine abrasives broken in the first process that are what makes Menzerna products so incredible to my taste.

- POLISHING OUT (~ a 'Smack's Technique step')

.Clean the pad - This is key. After doing the first 5-6 passes, stop polishing and run the pad brush, compressed air or even a towel (the way you prefer) to get the pad clean like you do (or should, always) before start polishing every new section.

Some people add water (spray water on surface / pad), some spray QD, I just 'Add more product as needed'! ;)

The pictures from OP shows perfectly how he adds more product after working the first section passes. Dab the surface again, spread in a fast pass and continue working.

This time, I work my preferred way for Flex, Hybrids and Menzerna which is the very well know here 'Smack's Technique'. This consists basically in working 'harder' for first few passes and reducing pressure as you approach the end of polishing cycle to get the most from Cutting and Finishing abilities from the polish being used.

In the end, I've 'saved' one wipe off and am finished with 2 polishing steps results per section.

The wipe off should be a breeze (like a conventional wipe off), otherwise you're using too much product / overusing, or over / underworking.

----------

The 'difficult' you've found removing 3n1 residue should be due a bit of overuse of product, but not only, because from my experience with PP ultra the 'AIO' products are a bit harder (but not hard) to remove than the conventional polishing liquids.

I've never used an AIO for this approach but with conventional polishes, mostly SF4000 (which is an amazing product with very good cutting abilities for the finish it provides).

On the other hand, I can't say I'd ever work more than 10-11 passes (which are ~2 conventional polishing steps). If you're needing more than this, then you should:

- start doing the first passes (Polishing IN) with an orange / coarser pad and then Polishing OUT with a finer pad like white or even black (clean and add fresh product to the 'finishing pad').

Seems few time (one wipe off per section, and less time than working 2 conventional steps with close related results), but adding up in the end you'll find out it's a lot.

_____________________

Finally, I don't ever risk calling this a 'Tato Technique', otherwise a 'Lazy Man-but OCD- Technique', since I'm just 'Following General Polish Directions' and then using the well known Smack's technique. It's for use when the 6 conventional section passes let you with the feeling you need just a few more to get the job done. This perception is what will guarantee success using the method above.

_____________________

I'm glad you were able to work your way out and test out some different ways to work this beautiful profession. Polishing cars is a tricky activity which is dependent on the test spot results - you move on from there. That said, there's no magical recipe or technique other than solid polishing skills (practice) and knowledge (full of it here at AGO) that will get you to the results you're after.

Thank you for this write up,

Please, feel free to ask if you need further help.

Kind Regards.

Thanks a lot for dropping by, mentor. Thanks a lot for the complementary information, well written and informative as always. As I said before, I overworķed to see how far it would go. And indeed the orange worked better, the next car I made it with fewer passes, in the range of tolerance and safety of 10 passes. I also need some top notch mf towels :).
But the 3in1 can take it all it seems, I want to try with wool, mf, and the extremely hard white menzerna pad as well. You can stretch it, it will respond. All the best!

[Jaretr1]

Very nice review. Enjoyed your humor! Great results.

[RPM_BR]

Really don't see this as a good AIO if you have to chemically remove it. Better off with a straight polish and separate sealant or wax. How about Maguires D151 as an AIO, good cut depending on the pad used and leaves some protection.

Hi Sir, thanks for your input. The 3in1 didn't really need to be sealed afterwards, looked really good and smooth, I sealed because I always do it in a customer's car. The thin film I chemically removed could be removed with a better quality mf towel. And also, as Tato rightfully pointed out, the overuse of the product. But I like to chemically strip my work with IPA or something similar, in respect for the customer's money, so I'm used to do it anyway.
I feel really proud when I see a black car that I did some months ago, which came all swirled up to me, still holding the good polishing after couple car washs, and I also credit it to the habit of chemically stripping my work.

[RPM_BR]

Very nice review. Enjoyed your humor! Great results.

Thanks! You need a large dose of humor living in Brazil :xyxthumbs:

[LRC3]

Looks great...

I have to get my hands on this 3n1.

[DaveT435]

Great Review, using a black car to showdown is definitively a good way to start with.

It was a surprise for me that you really did a thread and reviewed a technique we talked about that day, and from the results shown I can only say it worked really nice!


On the other hand, being cited I feel in obligation to let some aspects clear regarding fine adjustments towards improving the way you're (already) successfully using my directions. I'm really happy it's working for you.

*****

When I started 'Re-Adding / Re-Working' product without complete wipe-off I had some things in mind:

- Time VS Number of Polishing Steps
- Number of Polishing Steps VS Results (Decent Cut / Decent Finish)

Market Leaders Like Menzerna are frequently trying to develop 2in1 and 3in1 products in order to resolve the questions I've put above.

That said, I had to work my way out and ended up 'developing a working plan' which I call '2in1' Polishing Step.

This work plan is also based on a general polish direction that is 'add more product as/if needed' (every variation of this statement). That's what I do.

To guarantee success within this technique you may be sure 1-step is Almost Enough to get the job done.

What I do is work complementary passes to the area already worked with fresh product (add more product as needed).

- POLISHING IN (~ a 'cutting step')

.You work with firm pressure, slow arm speed and high polisher speed, in order to get the most from product being used and depending on polish chosen (and area size) will happen in about 5-6 section passes (Finer Polishes Like SF4000 may need even less, 4-5 section passes maximum).

This may leave you with just a thin film of polishing oils and fine abrasives broken in the first process that are what makes Menzerna products so incredible to my taste.

- POLISHING OUT (~ a 'Smack's Technique step')

.Clean the pad - This is key. After doing the first 5-6 passes, stop polishing and run the pad brush, compressed air or even a towel (the way you prefer) to get the pad clean like you do (or should, always) before start polishing every new section.

Some people add water (spray water on surface / pad), some spray QD, I just 'Add more product as needed'! ;)

The pictures from OP shows perfectly how he adds more product after working the first section passes. Dab the surface again, spread in a fast pass and continue working.

This time, I work my preferred way for Flex, Hybrids and Menzerna which is the very well know here 'Smack's Technique'. This consists basically in working 'harder' for first few passes and reducing pressure as you approach the end of polishing cycle to get the most from Cutting and Finishing abilities from the polish being used.

In the end, I've 'saved' one wipe off and am finished with 2 polishing steps results per section.

The wipe off should be a breeze (like a conventional wipe off), otherwise you're using too much product / overusing, or over / underworking.

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The 'difficult' you've found removing 3n1 residue should be due a bit of overuse of product, but not only, because from my experience with PP ultra the 'AIO' products are a bit harder (but not hard) to remove than the conventional polishing liquids.

I've never used an AIO for this approach but with conventional polishes, mostly SF4000 (which is an amazing product with very good cutting abilities for the finish it provides).

On the other hand, I can't say I'd ever work more than 10-11 passes (which are ~2 conventional polishing steps). If you're needing more than this, then you should:

- start doing the first passes (Polishing IN) with an orange / coarser pad and then Polishing OUT with a finer pad like white or even black (clean and add fresh product to the 'finishing pad').

Seems few time (one wipe off per section, and less time than working 2 conventional steps with close related results), but adding up in the end you'll find out it's a lot.

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Finally, I don't ever risk calling this a 'Tato Technique', otherwise a 'Lazy Man-but OCD- Technique', since I'm just 'Following General Polish Directions' and then using the well known Smack's technique. It's for use when the 6 conventional section passes let you with the feeling you need just a few more to get the job done. This perception is what will guarantee success using the method above.

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I'm glad you were able to work your way out and test out some different ways to work this beautiful profession. Polishing cars is a tricky activity which is dependent on the test spot results - you move on from there. That said, there's no magical recipe or technique other than solid polishing skills (practice) and knowledge (full of it here at AGO) that will get you to the results you're after.

Thank you for this write up,

Please, feel free to ask if you need further help.

Kind Regards.

We have a saying in the states..."all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" translated...get back to enjoying your holiday!!! Hahaha