Newcomer saying hello and requesting tips with Menzerna

M

mattl31

New member
Hello everyone, I'm Matt. I've been a long time autopia surfer and I have learned everything I know about detailing from this forum. I felt that it was about time that I became an official member so I can both ask for and receive advice from such a great online community. Anyway, enough introduction...I have a few questions for you pros.



I have been using menzerna polishes, lake country pads and a Porter Cable since I bought my Navy Blue Metallic 2001 Trans Am WS6 in February of 2007. I love the shine I get, and currently my car has zero defects. Initially I had been topping my freshly polished surfaces with cheap wax, but have recently upgraded to Menzerna FMJ sealant, as well was Menzerna Finishing touch glaze.



My questions are as follows:



1. IP/Orange Pad, FPII/Green Pad, FMJ/Red Pad, Glaze/Hand Applicator......Is this the proper order/application methods?



2. Also, being that my car is for fair weather only, it has been spending a lot of time in the garage this winter. Right now is a perfect opportunity for me to be doing my detailing in the garage, but its still about 40 degrees at best. Is it possible to use FMJ at this temerature? If so...share your suggestions on cure time...etc.



I think thats about it for right now guys. I appreciate the help in advance, and plan to share pics of my progress! :buffing:
 
Welcome...



when you use the IP, try hitting it with a white pad first and decide if you need an orange from there. If you have zero defects in the paint, skip the IP and go to the FPII with a finishing pad. The best thing you can do is try a product with a different combination of pads - this will yield the best results for you and help decide what looks best.



Good luck...
 
Matt, let me add my welcome also! I believe it's a good practice to start with the least agressive combination first and see what happens. And don't forget, you can use a more aggressive product and a less agressive pad (IP with Orange pad) to find the combination that works for you. But, test a section of the car with FP and an Orange pad and see what the gets you.
 
Matt, many times we believe that because a manufacturer makes a great product then all of their product line must be good. Well, this certainly is not the case with FMJ. Menzerna makes great polishes but there are far better LSP's out there than FMJ which has almost no durability IMO. I was an FMJ user before I found this forum. Most of my info came from CMA (classic motoring accessories) who champions FMJ. When I found Autopia, my eyes were opened and I tried other products like Zaino, Clearkote and others. I QUICKLY returned my FMJ. Do yourself a favor. Spend fifteen bucks and buy a bottle of either Z-2 or Z-5 by Zaino depending on the color of your car and you'll find that there are better products out there just waiting for you to discover. By the way, the Menzerna glaze goes down BEFORE the FMJ as the FMJ is an LSP (last step product). Hope this helps. :xyxthumbs



Welcome,



Patrick
 
Definitely use the glaze before the FMJ. I would use the rest of the FMJ, it's not a bad product it's just not terribly durable. When the FMJ runs out I would use Opti-seal with (or without) a carnauba topper, such as Clearkote Carnauba Moose.



I had the Menzerna glaze and didn't find it did anything for me.
 
I just love it when you talk Zero Defects!



I am also a Menzerna user as a result of my exposure to the board and have been quite pleased with the results of FPII, FTG, and FMJ on my black BMW 540i. After each wash I finish with a quick once-over w/ HGAS. Previously I had been using Klasse AIO and SG.



I haven't noticed a durability issue w/ the FMJ as others have mentioned, but then I am usually refreshing it every six weeks or so in good weather. That hasn't prevented me from also considering other LSP's; this spring I will be trying Blackfire's sealant after the FTG. Or I may even try topping the FTG w/ Poorboy's EX-P (apparently a sealant with carnauba if I understand it correctly).



Rather than settling on "the perfect shine", it's occasionally more fun to play with various combos suggested by others, time permitting of course.



Have fun,

Nick
 
ZeroDfx said:
I just love it when you talk Zero Defects!



I am also a Menzerna user as a result of my exposure to the board and have been quite pleased with the results of FPII, FTG, and FMJ on my black BMW 540i. After each wash I finish with a quick once-over w/ HGAS. Previously I had been using Klasse AIO and SG.



I haven't noticed a durability issue w/ the FMJ as others have mentioned, but then I am usually refreshing it every six weeks or so in good weather. That hasn't prevented me from also considering other LSP's; this spring I will be trying Blackfire's sealant after the FTG. Or I may even try topping the FTG w/ Poorboy's EX-P (apparently a sealant with carnauba if I understand it correctly).



Rather than settling on "the perfect shine", it's occasionally more fun to play with various combos suggested by others, time permitting of course.



Have fun,

Nick
Click to expand...



EXP is just a sealant...you are thinking of Poorboy's EX, which is a sealant with carnauba, and by the way have heard great things about it. I use EXP and am very pleased with it but i must warn you both are very hard to track on your paint..so a bad habit of mine is putting it on too thick because i literally cant tell where i have been...and it is a real **** to get off as well...but durability and looks are great IMO
 
jordanrossbell said:
EXP is just a sealant...you are thinking of Poorboy's EX, which is a sealant with carnauba, and by the way have heard great things about it. I use EXP and am very pleased with it but i must warn you both are very hard to track on your paint..so a bad habit of mine is putting it on too thick because i literally cant tell where i have been...and it is a real **** to get off as well...but durability and looks are great IMO
Click to expand...





Jordan:

Thanks for straightening me out on my acronyms re EXP and EX. So it's the sealant EXP that I'm about to try this spring.

Nick
 
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