Menzerna IP with PC74234 for hair line swirls

[msanta]

Since joining this forum, my vehicles look better and better every day. Thanks to all for your expert advices. My dilema is as follows: I have a 2003 4runner with swirl marks that you can see only with a bright light by looking at the paint from a certain angle. Not bad at all. I got some Menzerna IP that I would like to use with my PC and would like to know if this product is too strong for my swirls, and if it's not what speed would you recommend with the PC. I have PS21 and Klasse products, but I am not sure which ones should I use. I was thinking on using AIO after Menzerna IP, is that a good choice? I plan to clay the truck before doing all this. Thanks again for your comments.

[JustinTRW]

For defect removal with the PC, I recommend 4" spot pads as they have more "juice". Depends on the hardness of your paint, as well as the severity of the swirls, but if they are very fine then I'd go with Menzerna FP, FPII, or PO85RD. When used in conjunction with a 4" polishing pad, some pressure, and speed 5, each of them can remove slight swirls. I use similar settings for IP.

Without seeing the swirls though, it's hard to say if these less aggressive polishes will be sufficient. IP may be overkill, but maybe not. I haven't gotten any marring with IP using the 4" pads, but if you wish to have ultimate gloss, I'd go over the car again with FP, FPII, or PO85RD.

If you only want to use one product, I hear Zaino Fusion (ZPC) starts off fairly aggressive and burnishes quite well. So that might work as well. Not sure if it is as effective as IP at removing defects though.

It's a toolbox out there.

- J

[msanta]

Thanks for the info, are there any notable differences between a 4" and 6" pads other than the size. I was wondering what specific applications the 4" pads can be used for...

[JustinTRW]

You can get them as concave (variable contour) or flat, at least the ones I have anyway. The edges are not rounded like regular pads and it's more of a sharp cutoff. The texture of the white pad is a little different, and all the pads seem more squishy and flexible.

I don't even use 6" pads anymore, they're that good.

- J

[dex]

what counter weight should be used with the 4" pads? or is the one used for the 6" ok

[JustinTRW]

Haven't tried the 6" counterweight, but the 5" one works just fine. I imagine the trick is to not use a counterweight too light for the pad, if it indeed makes a difference. So using a slightly heavier one seems to be okay, but I'm not sure if the 6" is too heavy.

[Rollman]

Who makes these 4" pads ?

[JustinTRW]

I use LC pads, but David has Sonus 4" pads too. I don't know who makes his.

[animes2k]

If the scratches are really really fine, you might try a more gentle approach and hit it with AIO on a polishing pad (Sonus green) at around speed 4. Surprisingly, this has done a good job for me on removing very very light swirls, so it might be worth a try. If that doesn't work, then move up to a polish with light abrasives, as has been recommended.

As an example on a Mazda I did with no abrasive polishes, just the combo I mentioned above (finished with SG):