Menzerna Intensive Polish - Short-Setting with Kompressor Pads

[imported_Dave KG]

Having been trying out Scholl S17+ recently, and seen its capability in short sets, I returned to Intensive Polish from Menzerna to see what it would do when used away from its traditional use and short-setted... IP, as will be shown in a future thread, is a very flexible polish with a variety of different applications depending on pad choice and technique of application, so short-setting is just another way of using the product.



The issue with short setting is that the abrasives in a polish may not necessarily be broken down to leave a marring free finish, despite delivering the cut that you desire... however, this is where the Kompressor pads from Lake Country come in, as the polish can "seep" down the flaps of the pad and then when you apply pressure the abrasive is in contact with the paint and cutting to correct and with less pressure, there is less contact with the abrasives which are down the flap of the pad so you get refinement. The general thinking behind the set you are about to see at least



So, take a test panel with some swirls - Gordon inflicted moderate to heavy swirling into the Seat bonnet:























The set shown in video here was used - a short set with Menzerna PO85RD3.02 Intensive Polish in a White polishing Kompressor pad... Set length is 90 seconds give or take, polish spread quickly and worked at around 1800rpm with firm pressure before refining at slower speed and light pressure to aim to remove any marring from the cutting stage of the set...



Menzerna Intensive Polish - Short Set with Kompressor Pad - YouTube



The results from the set, pre-wipedown, are shown below - an impressive level of correction is shown for a short set, and the finish also looks to be hologram free:























Following a wipedown using Panel Wipe (sourced from our friendly neighbour in the bodyshop ), and the finish still looks hologram free suggesting that no masking has taken place from this short set:



















A interesting little experiment this, that highlights that Intensive Polish can also be short setted and deliver good correction and finishing, though part of this will be down to the pad it was used on and the variation of pressure in the set. It is important to note here though, that although Intensive Polish benefits from longer sets in terms of maximising the cutting ability and getting more from the abrasives in terms of finishing down, short-setting it can also deliver acceptable results with changes in technique and pad choice. From heavy correction on wool to short-setting on Kompressor pads, this old stalwart of a polish can still cut it, if you`ll pardon the pun

[Ch96067]

How important a factor do you think paint hardness is in this equation Dave?

[imported_Dave KG]

Paint hardness is of course an important factor, along with others - the Seat paint here is medium to hard paint which will mean correction is more difficult but refining is easier if that makes sense, but it is not a paint that will refine with just anything so does challenge the product combo from both ends

[Ch96067]

Thanks Dave.