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

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Thnak's Mike
Now must get pad washer too....

No problem!

[Bicycle]

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.

What speed do you use for the SF4000 as a one step?

[Tato]

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.

[Bicycle]

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.

BMW Mike takes on a white Range Rover

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.

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.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

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.

Thanks for replying on your variation on what works for you.

Which Detail Spray do you use?

[Bicycle]

Thanks for replying on your variation on what works for you.

Which Detail Spray do you use?

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.

[Bicycle]

I have always had better results running FG400 at speed 3-4 rather than at speed 5-6.

But keep running SF4000 at 5-6.

What speed would you suggest when using 2500 as a one step??

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

What speed would you suggest when using 2500 as a one step??

Depending on what's needed and how the paint reacts, I would run PF2500 at speeds 4-5 with the white pad.

[Corey@OptimalDetailing]

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.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

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.

Great to hear! Thanks for sharing your success story!

Glad you are getting the hang of this setup.