Menzerna PO-85RD and PO-106 Ceramiclear Polishes
Before I begin the review, I just want to say that the reason I am reviewing the two polishes together is 1) They are the only Ceramiclear Polishes in Menzerna’s line (currently) and 2) they behaved the absolute same way other than cutting ability and viscosity.
PO-85RD = 1.5 of 5 in cut (similar to Poorboys’ SSR1, Meguiar’s #82 Swirl Free Polish)
PO106 = 2.5 of 5 in cut (similar to Poorboy’s SSR 2, Meguiar’s #80 Speed Glaze)
Packaging : I cannot not comment on this area as I received the product as a sample from an Autopian member (Thanks Dino).
Smell : They both had virtually no smell, however when worked in they took on a slightly ‘mineral’ smell. Sort of like a Metamucil or vitamin scent.
Viscosity : They are both relatively thin liquids. PO106 is slightly thicker only because the abrasive content is higher.
The way I worked the polishes : I worked in 2’x 2’ sections with my Makita Rotary Polisher using a Lake Country White Polishing Pad @ 1500 rpm. I laid two beads of product 6� long each and equal distance apart. I primed the pad with a couple spritz’ of Poorboy’s Spray and Wipe. I started by smearing the polish in with the pad/polisher before activating the polisher. I worked the polishes in with medium pressure, overlapping each pass, then breaking to a lighter pressure, again overlapping each pass, and finally a very light pressure, overlapping each pass. This method proved to fully exercise the fine abrasives in these polishes. After the passes were complete there was virtually no residue. I wiped clean with a Viper MF and moved to the next section.
Thoughts: I like the polishes a lot. They are very easy to work with on the rotary polisher. They are also both versatile enough to be worked in completely with ZERO buffer marring, leading to a direct application of an LSP (last step product). The gloss level is 5 of 5 and I will agree with Menzerna on that. It is of the highest I have experienced among polishes. It left a slightly wet, very glossy, clear, and reflective finish with ZERO milkiness (cloudy/milky look on paint). The feel they left was not very smooth but a slight squeak to it letting you know that there are no fillers/oils in these polishes.
Pics:
Notes:
- Menzerna recommends only using rotary polishers for these polishes, but due to the ‘wet’ consistency and showing they didn’t gum up, I believe using a PC will work too, but probably not as well.
- On a couple rare occasions, I had a slight product build up on the surface due to not cleaning the pad often enough. With a quick sprits of Poorboy’s Spray and Wipe, I was able to effortlessly remove the residue.
- I cleaned the pad after completing every 2 panels. To do this, I took a hard bristled nylon brush and while the polisher was operating (pad facing the sky), I ran the brush gently over the entire surface as the built up product cleaned out of the foam pores.
Purchasing
- www.menzernausa.com (Polish)
- www.poorboysworld.com (Spray and Wipe)
- www.classicmotoring.com (Viper MF)
Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket (FMJ) Sealant
Packaging : I can not comment on this area as I received this product as a sample from a member on DetailCity (Thanks Charles).
Smell : It smelled like I forgot my laundry in the washing machine. It was that of a mildew-y smell that I did not care for.
Viscosity : FMJ is a very thin creamy red liquid. Looks almost like Thousand Island Dressing. A little goes a very long way ( .25 - .5 ounces per vehicle).
How I applied : As with most sealants, I applied FMJ with a yellow circular foam applicator. I applied it to the foam applicator in a very thin bead straight across covering from one side to the other of the applicator. I applied in a back and forth motion (how the wind flows of the car) to minimize any possible surface marring. The FMJ goes over the surface very easily. I applied extremely thin coats…so thin that you see them go on initially but they disappear by the time you come back with your stroke. If I doubted the sealants presence on the pad, I added a little more. I applied FMJ to the entire vehicle, then removed with a PAC Arctic White MF. FMJ came off with the greatest of ease. There were no problems at all removing this product.
How it looks: FMJ proved to have excellent depth/reflectivity to it’s shine. The shine glowed as well. It was more of a ‘glossy’ look with the first coat than a ‘wet’ look. However, with a 2nd coat applied 2 weeks later, the wetness seemed to increase a touch leaving a more vibrant red. After the second coat, reflectivity increased a touch.
Short Term Thoughts: I had FMJ on my car for 2 weeks, all of those in direct outdoors. It has gone through 2 heavy rainstorms (more than 12 hours each) and a few light rainstorms (spotty rain). The area I am in is very dewy in the morning as well leaving a lot of dew/moisture that bakes in over the day. I have noticed that the finish cleans up very easy. After rainstorms, it seems as though it was just washed the surface got so clean. The surface has remained very slick over the past 2 weeks with clean-ups done with Poorboy’s Spray and Wipe every 4-5 days.
Purchasing
- www.menzernausa.com (FMJ)
- www.poorboysworld.com (Spray and Wipe)
- www.premiumautocare.com (Foam Applicator and MF)
Pics
Any questions, feel free to post back!
Before I begin the review, I just want to say that the reason I am reviewing the two polishes together is 1) They are the only Ceramiclear Polishes in Menzerna’s line (currently) and 2) they behaved the absolute same way other than cutting ability and viscosity.
PO-85RD = 1.5 of 5 in cut (similar to Poorboys’ SSR1, Meguiar’s #82 Swirl Free Polish)
PO106 = 2.5 of 5 in cut (similar to Poorboy’s SSR 2, Meguiar’s #80 Speed Glaze)
Packaging : I cannot not comment on this area as I received the product as a sample from an Autopian member (Thanks Dino).
Smell : They both had virtually no smell, however when worked in they took on a slightly ‘mineral’ smell. Sort of like a Metamucil or vitamin scent.
Viscosity : They are both relatively thin liquids. PO106 is slightly thicker only because the abrasive content is higher.
The way I worked the polishes : I worked in 2’x 2’ sections with my Makita Rotary Polisher using a Lake Country White Polishing Pad @ 1500 rpm. I laid two beads of product 6� long each and equal distance apart. I primed the pad with a couple spritz’ of Poorboy’s Spray and Wipe. I started by smearing the polish in with the pad/polisher before activating the polisher. I worked the polishes in with medium pressure, overlapping each pass, then breaking to a lighter pressure, again overlapping each pass, and finally a very light pressure, overlapping each pass. This method proved to fully exercise the fine abrasives in these polishes. After the passes were complete there was virtually no residue. I wiped clean with a Viper MF and moved to the next section.
Thoughts: I like the polishes a lot. They are very easy to work with on the rotary polisher. They are also both versatile enough to be worked in completely with ZERO buffer marring, leading to a direct application of an LSP (last step product). The gloss level is 5 of 5 and I will agree with Menzerna on that. It is of the highest I have experienced among polishes. It left a slightly wet, very glossy, clear, and reflective finish with ZERO milkiness (cloudy/milky look on paint). The feel they left was not very smooth but a slight squeak to it letting you know that there are no fillers/oils in these polishes.
Pics:
Notes:
- Menzerna recommends only using rotary polishers for these polishes, but due to the ‘wet’ consistency and showing they didn’t gum up, I believe using a PC will work too, but probably not as well.
- On a couple rare occasions, I had a slight product build up on the surface due to not cleaning the pad often enough. With a quick sprits of Poorboy’s Spray and Wipe, I was able to effortlessly remove the residue.
- I cleaned the pad after completing every 2 panels. To do this, I took a hard bristled nylon brush and while the polisher was operating (pad facing the sky), I ran the brush gently over the entire surface as the built up product cleaned out of the foam pores.
Purchasing
- www.menzernausa.com (Polish)
- www.poorboysworld.com (Spray and Wipe)
- www.classicmotoring.com (Viper MF)
Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket (FMJ) Sealant
Packaging : I can not comment on this area as I received this product as a sample from a member on DetailCity (Thanks Charles).
Smell : It smelled like I forgot my laundry in the washing machine. It was that of a mildew-y smell that I did not care for.
Viscosity : FMJ is a very thin creamy red liquid. Looks almost like Thousand Island Dressing. A little goes a very long way ( .25 - .5 ounces per vehicle).
How I applied : As with most sealants, I applied FMJ with a yellow circular foam applicator. I applied it to the foam applicator in a very thin bead straight across covering from one side to the other of the applicator. I applied in a back and forth motion (how the wind flows of the car) to minimize any possible surface marring. The FMJ goes over the surface very easily. I applied extremely thin coats…so thin that you see them go on initially but they disappear by the time you come back with your stroke. If I doubted the sealants presence on the pad, I added a little more. I applied FMJ to the entire vehicle, then removed with a PAC Arctic White MF. FMJ came off with the greatest of ease. There were no problems at all removing this product.
How it looks: FMJ proved to have excellent depth/reflectivity to it’s shine. The shine glowed as well. It was more of a ‘glossy’ look with the first coat than a ‘wet’ look. However, with a 2nd coat applied 2 weeks later, the wetness seemed to increase a touch leaving a more vibrant red. After the second coat, reflectivity increased a touch.
Short Term Thoughts: I had FMJ on my car for 2 weeks, all of those in direct outdoors. It has gone through 2 heavy rainstorms (more than 12 hours each) and a few light rainstorms (spotty rain). The area I am in is very dewy in the morning as well leaving a lot of dew/moisture that bakes in over the day. I have noticed that the finish cleans up very easy. After rainstorms, it seems as though it was just washed the surface got so clean. The surface has remained very slick over the past 2 weeks with clean-ups done with Poorboy’s Spray and Wipe every 4-5 days.
Purchasing
- www.menzernausa.com (FMJ)
- www.poorboysworld.com (Spray and Wipe)
- www.premiumautocare.com (Foam Applicator and MF)
Pics
Any questions, feel free to post back!
