What is your goof proof pad/machine/polish combo for soft paint?

**Junebug** · 01-14-2008, 01:02 PM

Another happy 3M user, and I got a decent deal on it at a Carquest "Paint" store.

**Wren** · 01-14-2008, 01:05 PM

How would you compare Menz Final Polish to Ultra fina?...(for those of you that have used both)

**maesal** · 01-14-2008, 01:49 PM

PO85RD and Ultrafina are very similar and both have great (but diferent) finish, the one from Menzerna, clearer.

**wannafbody** · 01-14-2008, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Scottwax

I usually use Z-PC with an orange light cutting pad on harder paints, usually leaves a really good finish. BTW, my customer has tried Z-PC using the PC and a Griot`s red finishing pad and it was the same deal, lots of buffer haze. First time I`ve had a problem with Z-PC. Guess I will stick with using it on harder paints.

ZPC with a red finishing pad is a mismatch. I`ve read other posts and my experience is that ZPC, swirl removers and finishing pads don`t work together well on a PC. A rotary is a different story. The UF sounds as if it`s a great choice for finicky paints.

**Scottwax** · 01-14-2008, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by wannafbody

ZPC with a red finishing pad is a mismatch. I`ve read other posts and my experience is that ZPC, swirl removers and finishing pads don`t work together well on a PC. A rotary is a different story. The UF sounds as if it`s a great choice for finicky paints.

The Meguiars pad wasn`t working and I used the pad he had used with ZPC on his car. I guess that is why he gave up?

**Junebug** · 01-14-2008, 07:31 PM

Menz Final Polish to Ultra fina - used both, like both - I think Ultrafina may work a little bit better - especially by rotary.

**gmblack3** · 01-14-2008, 07:56 PM

Scott, Get the 3M blue foam pad too. Like Ryan and Rick said this combo is my favorite now for finishing. They can only be had in a 8" but I adjusted to them quickly after the first detail. Never a hologram with a rotary.

3m blue foam pad link

Rick, Glad to hear how it worked on the hard CC on your Z06! Where are the pics?

**imported_rydawg** · 01-14-2008, 10:45 PM

I have every Menzerna product and love them a lot. I would not be without them at all and are some of the best out there. SIP is still in a league of it`s own. Menzerna works great on hard clears. The harder, the better they work.

However on some stubborn paints, Ultrafina just finishes off way better if used correctly via rotary. For PC users, Menzerna will suite you very well and you may not need Ultrafina. I have heard it does work good with a PC though.

3M also has a SRC polish that does work great. The smell is very strong and does give me a headache though.

3M does need to work on their Swirl Remover Polish. Gives a really nice final gloss, but does nothing for swirl removal at all and the spatter is leathal. SIP blows it away.

3M 3000 series Extra Cut compound 06060 is a superb compound. It`s works like SIP with a kick and removes a great deal of defects.

A great one step correction polish is 50-70% Menzerna IP/30-50% Ultrafina polish mixed together. Keeps the dust down and leaves a great finish. Also increases the work time a lot more.

**imported_rydawg** · 01-14-2008, 11:12 PM

Here is the Video

Logging in

**P1et** · 01-14-2008, 11:51 PM

I have found the paint of a black G35 I recently did to be quite soft. A white pad and 85RD was all that was needed to correct.

**Rickrack** · 01-15-2008, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

Scott, Get the 3M blue foam pad too. Like Ryan and Rick said this combo is my favorite now for finishing. They can only be had in a 8" but I adjusted to them quickly after the first detail. Never a hologram with a rotary.

3m blue foam pad link

Rick, Glad to hear how it worked on the hard CC on your Z06! Where are the pics?

What I love about polishing with UF using the blue UF pad is that it is very soft which allows to you to apply a good amount of pressure on the pad without it skipping or jumping around and it really seems to contour to curvy body panels. Unlike a harder pad that will stay flat and not allow you to get in those harder areas. You can really work the UF forever too, which I love.

The 3M Extra Cut worked amazing on my Corvette which has really hard paint. It`s got some more bite than SIP and left only minor hazing, which might be due to the hard clear coat. I did some testing with the UF on a few spots and it seemed to remove all of the hazing and left a swirl free finish. I was not able to bring it out in the sun to check for any swirls/buffer trails, so I ended up 106ff after the Extra Cut and finished off with the UF to make sure. I still need to do some more testing on some softer paint, but so far I am really loving both produtcs!

Bryan, I will hopefully have some pictures up of the Z06 soon. I spent the entire weekend working on it and I must say that it looks absolutely insane! I have a couple late day shots from Sunday, but would like to get a few more maybe today. We just got a foot of snow here yesterday (Mon), so I have it tucked away nicely in the garage. I think I can hear it begging for another coat of Zaino!

**Rickrack** · 01-15-2008, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by rydawg

I have every Menzerna product and love them a lot. I would not be without them at all and are some of the best out there. SIP is still in a league of it`s own. Menzerna works great on hard clears. The harder, the better they work.

However on some stubborn paints, Ultrafina just finishes off way better if used correctly via rotary. For PC users, Menzerna will suite you very well and you may not need Ultrafina. I have heard it does work good with a PC though.

3M also has a SRC polish that does work great. The smell is very strong and does give me a headache though.

3M does need to work on their Swirl Remover Polish. Gives a really nice final gloss, but does nothing for swirl removal at all and the spatter is leathal. SIP blows it away.

3M 3000 series Extra Cut compound 06060 is a superb compound. It`s works like SIP with a kick and removes a great deal of defects.

A great one step correction polish is 50-70% Menzerna IP/30-50% Ultrafina polish mixed together. Keeps the dust down and leaves a great finish. Also increases the work time a lot more.

Ryan, I`ll have to try IP/UF mixture on the next "quicky" I do. Do you mean regular IP or SIP?

Now that my car is done, we should tackle the black beast together sometime soon!

**Todd@RUPES** · 01-15-2008, 08:59 AM

I have been using 3M ultra fina for a while, and I am IN LOVE with the product. On soft paint you need a pad with little to no mechanical action and a polish with a very fine abrasive. On soft paint, 106ff can act up, some times it grabs and bites the finish.

**Rickrack** · 01-15-2008, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by TH0001

On soft paint, 106ff can act up, some times it grabs and bites the finish.

Todd, that`s what I have experienced as well. The Ultrafina is nice because it stays wet and you can work it forever, unlike 106ff. It`s like buffing with cooking oil in a way. It`s also unique because you can apply a surplus amount of product and it doesn`t gum-up the pad at all. 3m did a great job pairing the UF with the blue UF pad. It has just enough cut for removing swirls, etc without leaving any hazing whatsoever. Just a perfect swirl free finish!

I LOVE this stuff! :woot2:

**imported_Jakerooni** · 01-15-2008, 09:21 AM

Again with products that most on here have never heard of but my goof proof system that has never let me down is "Saftey Kleen Cut -n- Glaze" go through it with the 3 steps starting with cutting wool then finishing wool then finishing pad. This stuff is amazing in it`s abilities. finish it off with wax of choice and you have one goof proof system right there.