nasageek
07-26-2010, 03:08 PM
I just detailed my dark 2005 Scion XB. I bought my car used about 2 months ago and it had a TON of swirls. It was HORRIBLE. I used the Menzerna line of products to help take out the scratches and swirls. I just bought a Flex 3401 as my polisher/DA of choice. This was my first time using any industrial grade DA (I’ve used the cheapo autozone/kragen orbitals in the past).
First I used the Menzerna Power Gloss with a yellow pad to take off the majority of the swirls. Next I used the Menzerna Power Finish with an orange pad. To finish off the polishing, I used the Menzerna Super Finish with a blue pad. I then used the Menzerna Power Lock Sealant (more on this later) with a grey pad and topped off with 2 coats of P21S concours-look carnauba wax, applied by hand.
Back to the Menzerna power lock. When I finished detailing my car, I proceeded to wash the pads. I used just regular dishwashing soap (Dawn) which worked great on all the pads EXCEPT the grey pad. The soap would NOT break down the Menzerna power lock. I let it soak for 10 minutes in the soap and hot water and it still wouldn’t break it down. After manually scrubbing/squeezing it out, there was still some sealant left in the pad. Felt very greasy. Keep in mind, I only used a 1-2 quarter sized drops per panel, depending on the size. I then used the Meguiars Super Degreaser and let the pad soak for 5 minutes. It seemed to work a lot better than the Dawn soap. It seems like the power lock sealant is TOUGH, although it is the EASIEST sealant I’ve ever used. One spray of water on the pad, quarter sized amount of the sealant, so easy to apply using the flex and a grey pad, and the EASIEST product I’ve ever used taking off. It leaves a nice soft/slick surface.
In addition, I noticed after I topped off using one coat of P21S, the color of the car looked darker, which I loved. Using 2 coats didn’t seem to make any difference in the color as 1 coat. Reminder, don’t let the P21S haze. It’s a PITA to take off when it hazes.
Even after spending 2 days on the car, there`s still some scratches left, but they`re deep scratches. I`d say I took off 90% of the swirls. Some panels I spent more time on, other panels I got lazy :)
Before:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/015.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/016.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/017.jpg
After:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/055.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/155.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/162.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/057.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/058.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/066.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/096.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/094.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/078.jpg
First I used the Menzerna Power Gloss with a yellow pad to take off the majority of the swirls. Next I used the Menzerna Power Finish with an orange pad. To finish off the polishing, I used the Menzerna Super Finish with a blue pad. I then used the Menzerna Power Lock Sealant (more on this later) with a grey pad and topped off with 2 coats of P21S concours-look carnauba wax, applied by hand.
Back to the Menzerna power lock. When I finished detailing my car, I proceeded to wash the pads. I used just regular dishwashing soap (Dawn) which worked great on all the pads EXCEPT the grey pad. The soap would NOT break down the Menzerna power lock. I let it soak for 10 minutes in the soap and hot water and it still wouldn’t break it down. After manually scrubbing/squeezing it out, there was still some sealant left in the pad. Felt very greasy. Keep in mind, I only used a 1-2 quarter sized drops per panel, depending on the size. I then used the Meguiars Super Degreaser and let the pad soak for 5 minutes. It seemed to work a lot better than the Dawn soap. It seems like the power lock sealant is TOUGH, although it is the EASIEST sealant I’ve ever used. One spray of water on the pad, quarter sized amount of the sealant, so easy to apply using the flex and a grey pad, and the EASIEST product I’ve ever used taking off. It leaves a nice soft/slick surface.
In addition, I noticed after I topped off using one coat of P21S, the color of the car looked darker, which I loved. Using 2 coats didn’t seem to make any difference in the color as 1 coat. Reminder, don’t let the P21S haze. It’s a PITA to take off when it hazes.
Even after spending 2 days on the car, there`s still some scratches left, but they`re deep scratches. I`d say I took off 90% of the swirls. Some panels I spent more time on, other panels I got lazy :)
Before:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/015.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/016.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/017.jpg
After:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/055.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/155.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/162.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/057.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/058.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/066.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/096.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/094.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/snowboardgeek1/Scion%20XB/078.jpg