UPDATED: Lake County vs. Meguiar's Comparison Chart

J

JonB

New member
Last night I was driving '98 Mustang and I noticed that there were hundreds of tiny little white spots in the windshield when light hit it in a certain way. I had used a Miracle Towel to buff once and had tiny fibers that caused this. I had to re-wipe with a lint free cloth which got rid of that problem. But now on close inspection, the windshield has all these itsy bitsy chips on the outside. Some I can feel with my fingernail and some I can't feel.



I just polished with Zaino Glass polish and I applied some Z5 to see if it would fill them in. I will post results later.



To my surprise, when I looked closely at my new '01 330i, I noticed a few similar chips, not as many, but this is a pretty new car! There are also a few spots that look like a tiny little oil drops, but these do not come off with deep cleaning. I am going to try polishing these as well, but I am not sure what this could be.



H
 
One layer of Z5 and one layer of Z2 on windshield.

Noted:



1. Windshield is very reflective almost like a mirror.

2. Super slick surface, I expect wipers to be smooth but have not had time or rain for testing.

3. I don't think that either coat of Zaino had any effect on reducing chip depth or appearance. I am not sure yet, but it may have made the chips slightly whiter and more noticeable, but I will have to take it out tonight to examine the effect more closely.

4. I am not looking forward to spending 12 hours with the Eastwood kit.... :( Lets see, 12 X $40 = $600 Maybe I would be better off having a new windshield installed...



H
 
Well I seem to be talking to myself here, but that is nothing new...



I just took the car out for a spin to see the fruits of my labor today. Well I think I may be somewhat surprised. Although the ride was relatively short, I was able to evaluate the results in oncoming and overhead lighting. Aside from minor refractions from a very few of the larger chips, the windshield appeared to be almost invisible! Way better than before the Z treatment. I still have to check it with the top down, but I doubt that would make much difference (fingers crossed!). I also have to see how it responds in a good Florida downpour and how it holds up to wiper use. I will keep you/myself posted.



H :bounce
 
I look forward to hearing your review after a few more days of the Zaino products on your windshield. I should be getting some Zaino products pretty soon and may very well decide to try some z-2 on the windshield as well. Keep us posted. Laters.
 
I used the Zaino glass polish on my Expedition's windshield last week, followed by Z2 (soon to be two coats). I noticed the same small chips became more noticeable after this treatment. However, the light has to be just right. I am satisfied with the overall appearance of the vehicle, so this really didn't bother me. I have experienced this in the past after just cleaning a windshield well. I also Zainoed my wifes car (93 red Eclipse) - two coats of Z5 so far. It looks awesome! I am going to start on Z2 today for her car, as it looks good enough for me. Before and after shots of her car are pretty amazing, I can post them if anybody cares. This car is almost 9 years old and was never really taken care of - lots of dings and some big scratches from grocery carts or worse. They are much less noticeable now, but I would have to have expensive body work to fix them perfectly. The car isn't worth the time or expense for that. My wife is very happy, and she applied the second coat of Z5 herself! It really is easy - just be sure to use back and forth motions, never circular. I like to go the direction that the wind blows over the car.
 
After Klassing two cars in the last week or so, I will definitely agree that removal of Zaino is easier! The application process is pretty much equal. I was able to finish the Klasse job in 2 days. I think that the Zaino process while being easier, will be drawn out over more time because of the longer wait times for drying and curing.



H
 
lcmegspadchart1200-1.jpg


This chart is for general comparison use in terms of how the foam or wool material of the pad should perform against each other.

Keep in mind that there are many variables when selecting a foam pad.


Pad Diameter: The diameter of the pad controls the total contract surface of the area as well as what speed the pad moves across the paint in a given movement. On a rotary polisher a larger pad will act more aggressive because the outer edge of the pad is moving at a faster rate. On an orbital polisher a larger diameter pad will act less aggressive because of the increased deflection in the pad as well as the increase in friction and mass.

Pad Face Design: In general, flat pads, such as our Hi-Gloss Classic Flat style or Meguiar's SoftBuff 2.0 have the largest contact area against the paint. This makes flat pads more aggressive in polishing action when applied with rotary polisher but may cause random orbital polishers to bog, reducing cut. The increase in surface friction will also increase the amount of defection in the pad.

Pad's that have dimples, pockets, a convoluted 'waffle' patter, or are cross cut will be less aggressive on a rotary polisher and more aggressive on a dual-action polisher for the same reasons.

Helpful links.
Choosing a Machine Polisher
CMA Polish Range Comparison Chart
Meguiars M105/M205 Polish and Pad Comparison Chart
Lake Country/Menzerna Polish and Pad Comparison Chart
Understanding Lake Country Polishing Pads and Foams
Removing Paint Defects
Choosing a DA Backing Plate
 
Great chart! I have some of the LC's in smaller sizes than I do the Meg's. It's good to know exactly where they rate in cut. :thumbup:

Thanks Todd!

Mike
 
Thank you so much Todd, incredible Graphics
I'd put the Edge Black foam alongside or just behind the Solo Polishing wool
Edge Yellow (50 ppi) in between LC's yellow and PFW
Edge Green 60ppi in between the meguiars burgundy and the yellow polish pad
Edge blue next to Solo black and LC black and Edge White directly below the Red pad

Flexipad pink, red and black would also be in between solo black and Kompressor gold
 
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