Menzerna SF4000 or Megs M205

**Irishwoodchuck** · 11-12-2013, 04:13 PM

Toyota blk question about menzerna what do you recommend for a panel cleaner. I've never polished before and am trying to do it right. I ordered the menzerna intro kit and am getting a g garage polisher Black Friday but just need reccomendations for a great cleaner.
11 blk Toyota Camry le

**Tresca** · 11-12-2013, 07:56 PM

How do the LC HT pads work with these two polishes? Or is one of the other LC lines more suitable?

**cardaddy** · 11-12-2013, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tresca

Are these two products roughly equivalent in correcting level?

No, not at all!

M205 will cut better throughout the working cycle. Where SF4000 will finish better, AFTER it's been broken down. (see below)

SF4000 imho wouldn't cut near as good, not even with the first pass (before it starts to break down). Although DAT products (if they were both starting as the same cut level of product) do tend to cut better right there, first pass, then they start breaking down.

This however is what makes them finish better.

I'd say to get one that has similar cut and finish to 205 you'd look more at IP2000, or MAYBE, just maybe PF2500. They are more of the 'polishing' compounds rather than 'finishing' compounds.

**Tresca** · 11-13-2013, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by cardaddy

No, not at all!

M205 will cut better throughout the working cycle. Where SF4000 will finish better, AFTER it's been broken down. (see below)

SF4000 imho wouldn't cut near as good, not even with the first pass (before it starts to break down). Although DAT products (if they were both starting as the same cut level of product) do tend to cut better right there, first pass, then they start breaking down.

This however is what makes them finish better.

I'd say to get one that has similar cut and finish to 205 you'd look more at IP2000, or MAYBE, just maybe PF2500. They are more of the 'polishing' compounds rather than 'finishing' compounds.

It appears that M205 is not really a finishing polish as the name implies, at least in comparison to the Menzerna products. I went ahead and purchased both. I'll start with the SF4000, and if not strong enough I'll use the M205 and then go back to the SF4000 if necessary.

**jankerson** · 11-13-2013, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Tresca

It appears that M205 is not really a finishing polish as the name implies, at least in comparison to the Menzerna products. I went ahead and purchased both. I'll start with the SF4000, and if not strong enough I'll use the M205 and then go back to the SF4000 if necessary.

M205 is a finishing polish..

The abrasives are very fine and it will finish out extremely well with a polishing pad giving that WET LOOK. I would say either speed 3 or 4 for finial polishing, most likely 4.

However I have used M205 on 5 for minor to moderate swirl removal with a polishing pad making 4 section passes and found it still produced an incredible finish. So there was no need to slow it down and go back over the sections at a slower speed.

Also it works great with a finishing pad on speed 4 for just buffing out the paint to increase DOI.

It can be as aggressive or refined as one would want just by changing pads and speed.

I have found M205 to be extremely versatile and that's the main reason why it's the 1st product that I grab, even when I had other products around. Although i do have D151 around also and UC and UP.

M205 was designed to be a followup to M105 and those who use M105 know how well that finishes out.

There are a lot of different products out there, better or worse perhaps, but that will depend on the variables.

**KillaCam** · 11-13-2013, 10:19 AM

I like M205. It's cheap and very versatile. Although I've never used SF4000, I have used a variety of pads with 205 and it can finish very well depending on the pad used.

**Tresca** · 11-13-2013, 05:16 PM

I know it varies given a multitude of conditions, but how long can M205 be worked on average at about 75 degF for a 2'x2' section? I found some recommendations on a web search that says 20-30 seconds in 2-3 passes, but some Youtube videos show working it much longer on the order of 75-100 seconds with 6-8 passes.

**HateSwirls** · 11-13-2013, 06:38 PM

I only have experience in using the 205 of the two mentioned.
I'll say this, on my 09' black RAV over the weekend I saw light swirls on the car, nothing bad , anyway I used an orange pad, 205 and my GG6, I was so happy with the results, the swirls were gone, great shine and it wipes off with ease.

At some said they both work well, see which one you prefer, who knows, you may love both being the two are great products.
I just love the 205 and have no plans to try another finishing polish.

**Success** · 11-13-2013, 07:41 PM

Same finish imo. Very hard to tell the difference. However one is dat and the other is smat.

**CM8 6MT** · 11-13-2013, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Tresca

I know it varies given a multitude of conditions, but how long can M205 be worked on average at about 75 degF for a 2'x2' section? I found some recommendations on a web search that says 20-30 seconds in 2-3 passes, but some Youtube videos show working it much longer on the order of 75-100 seconds with 6-8 passes.

Tresca, something you saw online about a product might not work for you. Why? Someone elses defenition of a "pass" differs from person to person. Also, their paint type & defects their trying to remove will differ from you. It all really depends on what your trying to acomplish. Like others have stated, it all depends on pad, pressure but most importantly your ultimate goal. Ultimately, this is why a test spot is so important. You also stated earlier that M205 isnt really a finishing polish, I disagree. Heres an article I wrote a long time ago on the versatility of M205: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...potential.html