Finding correct pad / polish combination

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Funny you should mention this. I pulled the car out of the garage to get the lawnmower out earlier. In brilliant sunshine I could see some very slight swirls which seemed to be induced from the polishing. (could tell by tight circular shape).

Now these swirls / micromarring is not visible no matter how hard I look under the halogens! I used the Menzerna finishing polishes on Menzerna polishing pads (which are harder than all other polishing pads - could be compared to some compounding pads I think).

Fortunately the 2 Megs polishing pads I ordered have arrived which are much softer than the Menz polishing ones and I plan to polish again with Menz FF to hopefully properly correct. All a bit of a game this - when I saw these marks it was almost the straw which broke the camels back! Will I ever get the full correction done!! Started thinking about employing a pro but then that's no fun is it!

I guess the micromarring / polishing swirls have come from either the pad or not breaking down the polish sufficiently. I doubt the latter given my attention paid to this.

I have read that others seem to prefer Megs polishing pads and Menz polishes for both cutting and final finishes.

I tried a megs finishing pad with Menz FF polish when I started and it offered no correction but provided shine. I think Megs polishing pads must be the way to go. Roll on Sunday and I'll report back.

Edited April 22, 2009 by Tarmac_Terrorist

[steelwind101]

Hi TT

You got the polisher repaired or replaced? Thats good news.

Yeah sunlight can be a killer! As for your reasons, i always like to go in with a little more grunt then might be required, not over kill just to ensure i hit the target well. I often confident as my cars are always almost new so paint thinness isnt so much of a worry.

Hope you get it sorted!

Geoff

[wyliss]

Funny you should mention this. I pulled the car out of the garage to get the lawnmower out earlier. In brilliant sunshine I could see some very slight swirls which seemed to be induced from the polishing. (could tell by tight circular shape).

Now these swirls / micromarring is not visible no matter how hard I look under the halogens! I used the Menzerna finishing polishes on Menzerna polishing pads (which are harder than all other polishing pads - could be compared to some compounding pads I think).

Fortunately the 2 Megs polishing pads I ordered have arrived which are much softer than the Menz polishing ones and I plan to polish again with Menz FF to hopefully properly correct. All a bit of a game this - when I saw these marks it was almost the straw which broke the camels back! Will I ever get the full correction done!! Started thinking about employing a pro but then that's no fun is it!

I guess the micromarring / polishing swirls have come from either the pad or not breaking down the polish sufficiently. I doubt the latter given my attention paid to this.

I have read that others seem to prefer Megs polishing pads and Menz polishes for both cutting and final finishes.

I tried a megs finishing pad with Menz FF polish when I started and it offered no correction but provided shine. I think Megs polishing pads must be the way to go. Roll on Sunday and I'll report back.

Hi TT,

So basically maybe steer clear of the Menz pads because they are too coarse and go for the Megs Soft Buff 2.0 ?

I'm planning on going for the new Menz polish 203S. It has a 6/10 cut and 10/10 gloss....................

I hope you sort the micromarring out. There is nothing worse when you've spent best part of days trying to sort the problem.

[wyliss]

Hi Dibbs

It all depends really on what brand of polishes you intend to use.

When i have used Menz in the past i have used the Megs Polishing pad with FFII and SIP. The Red megs pad is very aggressive, and i would say use with caution. Worth having one, does anyone use the weaker Menz polishes with a cutting pad?

Aggresive pads tend to and/or aggresive polishes tend to leave alot micro marring. As long as your swirls are not deep you should be ok with the polishing pad combo.

I just have things in my mind such mild swirls the odd nasty bit:

Step 1) Medium cut polish on polishing pad

Step 2) Finishing/weak polish on the polishing pad.

I would test everything first as each car is different. I have always thrown caution to the wind "a bit" knowing all my cars will only get "maintence" polishing once they have been corrected. Id rather get them sorted then go around the car seeing bits here and there that mean a whole panel needs to be polished again. Im sure thats bad, but i dont think im the only one!

As for the finishing pads, they would be for the LSP and some glazes. Some glazes and paintwork cleaners also go on with polishing pads.

Geoff

Cheers Geoff for the info. It sounds as if TT is having problems with the Menz pads, possibly being quite aggressive. How do you rate LCC pads that Polished Bliss sells, any experience of them with the Megs G220?

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Dibbs - Menz also now do some finishing pads designed for their finishing polishes. To be honest, I prefer the smaller Menz pads but I think perhaps the polishing pad is possibly best suited to more of a cutting polish than the finishing polishes.

Geoff - polisher was repaired -new shaft & backing plate. They suggested old backing plate was to blame

[steelwind101]

Hi Dibbs, i have only used the small LC (lake country) ones before and they were very good. LC seem to do a HUGE variety of pads "finishing", "finnesing" so there are plenty of combos. Though i only ever the polishing and finishing.

One thing they do offer is CSS which means the product/polish will get obsorbed less and should give you a much strong polishing action as less is escaping and its keeping the pad more focused on the paintworked. I think its marmite thing to be honest, i love hand CSS applicators never went back to the machine pads.

TT: Great to hear its back!