Menzerna FPII and Optimum

metload1 · 03-10-07, 10:48

Hi,

I am going to buy some Menzerna FPII because so many people love it for a final finish, but from what I've read I don't think that it'll be enough to tackle all of my swirls. Some time I'll get some pictures up, but basically I'm wondering, what is the next step up from FPII in terms of Optimum polishes? The word "compound" scares me as my paint is in reletively good condition, just maybe a little too much work for the FPII, but other than Optimum Polish they only have Compound and Hyper Compound, unless I'm missing something. What should I get?

Thanks

docker · 03-10-07, 11:07

Take a look at Menzerna's Intensive Polish. It's a step up in agressiveness from FPII. However, before going up in a more agressive polish, try a more agressive pad.

Nimble · 03-10-07, 02:38

If you already have FP2, opt polish is not needed (much the same). I'd grab the opt compound and a 4" org pad for defect removal.

gthirtyfizle · 03-10-07, 03:31

The FP2 is basically the last step before you put on a seal or wax correct? There is no less abrasive Menzerna polish the this right?

Wise 85 · 03-10-07, 04:14

The Menzerna FP2(PO85U) has a 'cut' of 3 out of 5.If you want to work with something milder, i would suggest FF(PO85RD) 1.5 out of 5,or FF(PO106FF),which is 2.5 out of 5 for 'cut'.

metload1 · 03-13-07, 09:28

Wait, there's a finer Menzerna polish? How come everyone talks so much about how FPII finishes the paint off so well right before your LSP? Do most people even use anything finer than FPII?

Final Polish is kind of a deceiving name for a 3 out of 5 cut...

This stuff is quite confusing for someone who just got a PC and has never used a real polish before.

Accumulator · 03-14-07, 10:07

Noting that the only Menzerna product I've used is FP....

I got a *very* minor improvement by following the FP with 1z Pro MP, used in a very light "burnishing" manner (this was on a silver '01 Audi).

But, having said that, IMO all the recent emphasis on the differences between "finishing polishes" is meaningless to *most* people, even most "Autopian" people. I didn't do such "final polishing" on most of our other vehciles and they turned out fine too. IMO it'll only add another few % and won't make the difference between OK and not-OK. Sorry if that sounded like a rant

but I sometimes worry that we needlessly complicate this stuff and get people focused on the wrong things. Get rid of the visible marring so it looks good under all lighting conditions..that's what makes a vehicle look OK.

Nimble · 03-14-07, 11:30

Agreed. Menzerna IP followed by FP2 on a plishing pad will make most any car look 99% good. Same with Optimum compound and polish. Or 4* medium cut compound and light cut compound...and and, you get the idea. hehe

BigAl3 · 03-14-07, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Sorry if that sounded like a rant

but I sometimes worry that we needlessly complicate this stuff and get people focused on the wrong things.

agreed.....

SpoiledMan · 03-14-07, 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Noting that the only Menzerna product I've used is FP....

I got a *very* minor improvement by following the FP with 1z Pro MP, used in a very light "burnishing" manner (this was on a silver '01 Audi).

The hard silver paint is likely why you only saw a minor improvement. Get some soft black Honda paint and you'll see the greatness of a great finishing polish.

Accumulator · 03-14-07, 05:19

SpoiledMan- Yeah, I specifically mentioned that it was the silver Audi because once you get that paint marring-free any additional improvements are pretty minimal.

Been a while since I tackled something like, say, the ss black lacquer I had for years, but when you have something really soft the less aggressive/finer finishing products are more obviously required all right. I don't envy pros who have to work on everything under the sun, that's for sure. Only soft paint I deal with these days is on the Jag.

I do, however, wonder about the overall, practical wisdom of getting that last 2% on a soft paint though. IMO most (non-Autopian) people will mar it something awful with the first wash anyhow. Maybe I'm just getting cynical about this stuff in my dotage

SpoiledMan · 03-14-07, 05:47

Some of the newer finishes (jet black Bimmers) can be really challenging to finish. My first attempt was frustrating to say the least. I went through 3 different machines, a bunch of pads as well as products. Having just a couple products simply doesn't work in some cases.