Not happy with Griots/Menz result...

[BLKZ06]

GM has some of the hardest clear out there and from what I understand they use the "hardest of the hard" on the Vettes. Personally, I'd go with the Meg's Ultimate Compound as I've had great success with that on GM's. It's cheap and it finishes nearly LSP ready using an LC flat orange pad. BobbyG has that sick looking yellow C5 and he prefers SIP. PM him and see which he'd recommend.

Follow up with the 106 you got on a flat grey/black pad, and your baby will shine. Since it's a Vette, I would go the final step and jewel with Menz PO85RD on a flat grey/black or blue pad.

What are you gonna use for your LSP? I've used quite a few waxes and tried a couple sealants. I do like Menz Power Lock topped with Collinite 845 (and a coat Pinnacle Souveran for when you really want it to shine). Or if you don't want to polish and wax that often, I did do my wife's Obsidian Black Lexus with CQuartz/ReLoad. I like it so much I'm doing my RAV4 next spring. These new "super sealants" shed dirt and water so effectively the car simply doesn't get that dirty - a quick no-rinse wash every couple of weeks and some QD in between keeps it looking pristine. Plus the super sealants do prevent light scratching and look slick as hell. The only caveat I'll throw in is that CQ has a very hard-glossy look. Some don't like that; on dark colors I definitely do.

I don't find the clear hard at all on my Vette, unless it just SO HARD that the markings on the car were simply laying on the surface. I literally took 15 seconds to remove the light scratching using 3M swirl remover and a black pad on my 849.They are gone..not filled in, but GONE.

I have Pinnacle Souveran I'm going to use. I have used the Colinite and I really like it. I have had great oooo's and awwww's using the Souveran on black, so I generally stay with that.

I appreciate the recommendation on the Megs..but to be honest its just not my favorite stuff. I normally try to stay with 3M or Menz if possible.

I'm wondering if I should go Menz SIP, then use the 106 and 85 like you suggested?

Looking at the chart..it shows that the 106 has more "gloss" than the 85???

[HeavyMetal]

I don't find the clear hard at all on my Vette, unless it just SO HARD that the markings on the car were simply laying on the surface. I literally took 15 seconds to remove the light scratching using 3M swirl remover and a black pad on my 849.They are gone..not filled in, but GONE.

I have Pinnacle Souveran I'm going to use. I have used the Colinite and I really like it. I have had great oooo's and awwww's using the Souveran on black, so I generally stay with that.

I appreciate the recommendation on the Megs..but to be honest its just not my favorite stuff. I normally try to stay with 3M or Menz if possible.

I'm wondering if I should go Menz SIP, then use the 106 and 85 like you suggested?

Looking at the chart..it shows that the 106 has more "gloss" than the 85???

Hey, then go with the SIP. I asked BobbyG to chime in on this too. And yeah, I'd follow with 106FA and then 85RD. I use the Wolfgang Finishing Glaze, which is made by Menz and their "version" of 106FA. I got it BOGO so it was cheaper than going Menz line.

Not sure which chart you're looking at, but the one on AG shows 106FA and 85RD both having a gloss of 5. Are you sure you're not looking at PO85U? That's their Final Polish. The stuff you want is their PO85RD Polish.

[trerc]

First off, I'm an expert with a rotary

Anyways..I finally gave up and grabbed the rotary with a black pad, 1000 rpms, and 3M swirl remover..this removed all the marring and scratching and left a slick finish, but now I have some holograming. Not worried about that.

So why not switch to a less aggressive polish and a finishing pad on the rotary, an "expert" should be able to finish hologram free with a machine...

Also, You say you used a black pad, which brand? And not to question your technique or abilities but why run the machine at such a low RPM for a product like 3M Swirl Remover? Just curious...

[V3AutoDetailing]

An expert with a rotary would just finish the paint down with it. I am in for pics and sun shot.

[rfinkle2]

Sure..I can try that!

Please post whether or not it works for you when you get a chance.

[BLKZ06]

So why not switch to a less aggressive polish and a finishing pad on the rotary, an "expert" should be able to finish hologram free with a machine...

Also, You say you used a black pad, which brand? And not to question your technique or abilities but why run the machine at such a low RPM for a product like 3M Swirl Remover? Just curious...

Because thats all the RPM's I needed to remove the defect. The idea is to not heat up the paint- less is better. You want just enough heat to soften the paint so that the polish works to 100% of its cutting ability..then back off the speed so that the heat dissappates and the remaining abrasives smooth the paint.

I'm also using Buff and Shine pads, along with 3M waffle pads.

Not sure if I should be offended by your little "expert" snippet- but I will point out that I didn't claim to try to finish out the paint with my rotary, did I?

I removed the defects, then switched to the Griots to polish down the paint. I'm sure I could remove holograms, trails, whatever with the rotary because I've done it for 12 years..but anyone familiar with a rotary knows what a tough, tiring job that can be-esp on dark colors.

Thats another reason for the D/A madness these days.

[BLKZ06]

An expert with a rotary would just finish the paint down with it. I am in for pics and sun shot.

Please see my post above.

[BLKZ06]

Hey, then go with the SIP. I asked BobbyG to chime in on this too. And yeah, I'd follow with 106FA and then 85RD. I use the Wolfgang Finishing Glaze, which is made by Menz and their "version" of 106FA. I got it BOGO so it was cheaper than going Menz line.

Not sure which chart you're looking at, but the one on AG shows 106FA and 85RD both having a gloss of 5. Are you sure you're not looking at PO85U? That's their Final Polish. The stuff you want is their PO85RD Polish.

Ahhh..got ya.

I probably looked at the wrong polish.

Menz is getting like 3M..I remember the good ole days when 3M had about 6-8 polishes and 2-3 pads.

Now they have 6-8 swirl removers, 4-5 final polishes, and about 10 different buffing pads.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Power Gloss finishes horrible, IME.

[ScottB]

For a Vette in ok to good shape, SIP and 085rd from Menzerna is all thats needed with a DA. Well that and some Hydro-tech pads.