FG400 Finishing Ability

**JVD** · 10-06-2015, 10:32 AM

Just wanted to see what the guys who have used this compound extensively have to say...

I know from experience I have reached LSP ready finish on numerous paints with FG400 and Cyan Hydro Techs.

Anyone else getting results like this? Have I just been lucky with the paints I`m working on? Am I just less critical?

**RaysWay** · 10-06-2015, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by JVD

Am I just less critical?

There`s no doubt that FG400 finishes down great, especially when compared to compounds with similar levels of cutting ability. But in my experience with black paint under super bright LED lights or the sun, you`ll get a better finish if you follow up with a less aggressive finishing polish. I`ve seen the benefits of a lighter finishing polish on everything from super hard paint, to super soft paint. If you`re not being critical of the paint and it looks good enough to you, then by all means skip the finishing polish and apply your LSP.

**Stokdgs** · 10-06-2015, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by JVD

Just wanted to see what the guys who have used this compound extensively have to say...

I know from experience I have reached LSP ready finish on numerous paints with FG400 and Cyan Hydro Techs.

Anyone else getting results like this? Have I just been lucky with the paints I`m working on? Am I just less critical?

Been achieving those results for years (since they first came out) using all of all Menzerna products and other brands using the Lake Country Hydro-Shreds ( mostly the Cyan color pad), and a Makita 9227C Rotary..

No, you are not Just lucky, you must have acquired a great process and try to improve on it each time you go out there to work..

I found out early when they first came out that the Hydro-Shreds ( as I lovingly refer to them as..) had the ability to correct AND finish down really, really, smooth, clear, and glossy...

One of my tests to grade clarity is to put a newspaper or magazine up to the paintwork and see if I can clearly read the little print in the paint - if the print is clear and sharp, then the clarity is at a very high level..

These pads are very smooth running, dont complain, they dont soak up the product but keep it on the outside so it can be worked, they clean up really good with Snappy Clean Powder, and they will go until I literally wear them out...

All I ever do while working with them is take a small white towel and wipe off the faces to remove spent dead paint, embedded gunk and left over if any compound....

Great job ! Keep it up !! Bet your vehicles look stunning !!
Dan F

**JVD** · 10-07-2015, 01:18 PM

Thanks for your input, gentlemen!

There`s been a couple cars where I`ll run over a finished section with SF4000 and noticed little enhancement from it. Nothing to warrant going over the whole car again.

What pads do you use, Vega?

I know Dan swears by the Cyan HT which is what I switched to after using a bunch of different pads and reading his posts.

**RaysWay** · 10-07-2015, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by JVD

Thanks for your input, gentlemen!

There`s been a couple cars where I`ll run over a finished section with SF4000 and noticed little enhancement from it. Nothing to warrant going over the whole car again.

Are you inspecting the paint with a good light source at multiple angles? Sometimes those small imperfections are hard to find. But then again on some paint systems, FG400 is all you need.

Originally Posted by JVD

What pads do you use, Vega?

I know Dan swears by the Cyan HT which is what I switched to after using a bunch of different pads and reading his posts.

Makita 9227c: Lake Country HydroTech or Hybrid Pads. I started using the HT pads after Stokdgs recommended it too and I learned he`s absolutely right. The HT Cyan pads cut and finish down AMAZING. But I`ve been using the Hybrid pads recently because I think they`re easier to control on a rotary for me. The beveled edge design makes them easier to handle. I`d like to eventually try the HT pads in 5.5 inches, but at the moment I only have them in 6.5. Once I start needing to replace pads, I`ll pick some up in 5.5 inches. Also, 4 inch LC Wool Pad for headlights and Scholl Concepts Wool Pads for the heavy stuff.

Flex 3401: Lake Country Hybrid Pads

Griot`s Garage 6 inch and 3 inch: Buff and Shine Foam pads. Meguiars Microfiber. And I have a couple of the Griot`s new BOSS thin foam pads I`ve enjoyed using. I`ll be adding more of those soon.

**Ronkh** · 10-07-2015, 02:01 PM

I did Roshan`s Camaro with him. He used 400 and it finished down GREAT!

I was beside myself, and tried it, and same result.

**JVD** · 10-07-2015, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Vega@Autopia

Are you inspecting the paint with a good light source at multiple angles? Sometimes those small imperfections are hard to find. But then again on some paint systems, FG400 is all you need.

Usually inspecting with both a Brinkmann and an LED work light. Also sunlight if it`s available.

Makita 9227c: Lake Country HydroTech or Hybrid Pads. I started using the HT pads after Stokdgs recommended it too and I learned he`s absolutely right. The HT Cyan pads cut and finish down AMAZING. But I`ve been using the Hybrid pads recently because I think they`re easier to control on a rotary for me. The beveled edge design makes them easier to handle. I`d like to eventually try the HT pads in 5.5 inches, but at the moment I only have them in 6.5. Once I start needing to replace pads, I`ll pick some up in 5.5 inches. Also, 4 inch LC Wool Pad for headlights and Scholl Concepts Wool Pads for the heavy stuff.

Flex 3401: Lake Country Hybrid Pads

Griot`s Garage 6 inch and 3 inch: Buff and Shine Foam pads. Meguiars Microfiber. And I have a couple of the Griot`s new BOSS thin foam pads I`ve enjoyed using. I`ll be adding more of those soon.

Awesome. Thanks for the info. I also like the Hybrid pads. Only using a Rupes Duetto though...

Hopefully you weren`t thinking I was disregarding your input. I don`t have enough experience to do so.

Originally Posted by Ronkh

I did Roshan`s Camaro with him. He used 400 and it finished down GREAT!

I was beside myself, and tried it, and same result.

Still followed up with a finishing polish I`d assume? Needed, or just because?

**The Driver** · 10-07-2015, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by JVD

Just wanted to see what the guys who have used this compound extensively have to say...

I know from experience I have reached LSP ready finish on numerous paints with FG400 and Cyan Hydro Techs.

Anyone else getting results like this? Have I just been lucky with the paints I`m working on? Am I just less critical?

I have achieved the same, my basic take is orange or above on medium paints you can. Also working with a good amount of water will help on keeping haze away. It`s really the water/polish ration that helps.

**Ronkh** · 10-07-2015, 03:58 PM

Nope
No finish polish

**RaysWay** · 10-07-2015, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by JVD

Usually inspecting with both a Brinkmann and an LED work light. Also sunlight if it`s available.

Ok cool just making sure. Some detailers only inspect for swirls with their cell phone light or overhead fluorescent light.

Originally Posted by JVD

Awesome. Thanks for the info. I also like the Hybrid pads. Only using a Rupes Duetto though...

Hopefully you weren`t thinking I was disregarding your input. I don`t have enough experience to do so.

Not at all! The thought never even crossed my mind. I just figured you were curious on which pads I use. But I do have a box full of random pads I`ve acquired over the years that I`ll try every once in awhile. But the pads I`ve listed are the ones I`ve purchased so far. If I had a Duetto, I`d try the new thin Meguiar`s DA Foam Pads.