Polishing - Menzerna Polishes
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Contents
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Menzerna Polishes
- Coating Repair Product Summery -[2]
- Material safety data sheet (MSDS) - [4]
Some methods described may be beyond the capabilities of the average detailer or enthusiast; in this case we strongly encourage the reader to consult a professional detailer or body shop concerning the matters discussed herein.
The writer assumes no responsibility, expressed or implied, due to misuse or misinterpretation of the information or Methods used, or for any vehicle damage or injury that may occur due to the suggestions and information offered.
A sound understanding of the proper technique and the correct process will produce excellent results even with a mediocre product. A quality product used without the proper surface preparation or application technique will never obtain a satisfactory result. Using the proper methodology (surface preparation, using a quality product, along with the correct application technique) will ensure an excellent result.
Some methods described may be beyond the capabilities of the average detailer or enthusiast; in this case we strongly encourage the reader to consult a professional detailer or body shop concerning the matters discussed herein.
The writer assumes no responsibility, expressed or implied, due to misuse or misinterpretation of the information or methods used, or for any vehicle damage or injury that may occur due to the suggestions and information offered.
Proceed with this in mind; the products you use constitute a very small factor in the equation. Methodology and technique constitute 95%; the reasoning behind the choice of quality products is to eliminate any limiting factors, thus enabling you to place emphasis on technique used.
CeramiClear
PPG Industries CeramiClear is a binary clear coat composition designed to offer long-term gloss and durability. Formulated for use by Mercedes-Benz and first used on their 2005 Maybach According to PPG engineers, this is the first automotive clear coat to use Nanoparticle technology. CeramiClear can still be damaged by keys but most day-to-day use including degradation from ultraviolet radiation, acid rain and salt is eliminated. Additionally, reported test results show that it holds onto more than 80 percent of its gloss appearance after several months of weathering and being run through the car wash. This process results in an extensively cross-linked, very hard paint finish that stands up better to mechanical car washes and day to day abuse. This clear coat from PPG is the only nanotechnology clear coat used on Mercedes production lines and is approved for the repair of Mercedes and Nissans.
On the assembly line, vehicles are painted by robot sprayers, proceed to an oven where the finish is baked and travel about 100 yards to a “finessing” area. Here, while the paint is still warm, inspectors walk around the vehicles and mark paint defects with a grease pen. Still in the finessing area, paint technicians then go to work on the vehicle, repairing the defects marked by the inspectors. Technicians are given a certain amount of time to correct all the paint defects. If a vehicle can not be completed, it must be shunted off the line to another staging area until all the defects are corrected.
The problem with the ceramic clear coat is that it is harder to correct than the comparatively soft clear coats used by most other car manufacturers. Ceramic paint can still scratch; just not as easily. When a scratch does occur, not all the polishes on the market are capable of removing it from the new, hard-as-a-rock clear coats.
Menzerna Polishes
Working with both BASF and Mercedes Benz, Menzerna has developed special polishes for use on CeramiClear for removing scratches, swirls and paint defects Beyond superior abrasives, Menzerna has pioneered the development of polishes designed specifically for the hard clear coats, like those used by GM on the Corvette and CeramiClear being used by Mercedes Benz. Super Intensive Polish and Nano Polish are currently used by Mercedes - Benz in Germany on their production line to remove swirls and over-spray incurred during the painting process. A unique family of abrasives developed by Menzerna allows these polishes to remove defects, even on brand new paint finishes, with no loss of surface gloss and no micro-marring.
Why Menzerna
What sets Menzerna apart is quality. Their plant in Germany has some of the strictest quality control standards in the industry. They mill their own abrasives, rather than buying them from abrasives distributor, which allows them to control the size and uniformity of the abrasives used in each polish. Uniform abrasives give the end user consistent, dependable results. They are the most technologically advanced polishes created to date; each of Menzerna's superior emulsions is water-based, silicone-free, and easy to clean up.
Beyond superior abrasives, Menzerna has pioneered the development of polishes designed specifically for the hard clear coats, like those used by GM on the Corvette and CeramiClear being used by Mercedes Benz. Super Intensive Polish and Nano Polish are currently used by Mercedes - Benz in Germany on their production line to remove swirls and over-spray incurred during the painting process. A unique family of abrasives developed by Menzerna allows these polishes to remove defects, even on brand new paint finishes, with no loss of surface gloss and no micro-marring.
When a silicon-free polish is used to eliminate surface scratches it works on the surface of paint using aluminium oxide spheres, suspended in water and hydrocarbons and a mechanical process to abrade the surface of the paint down to the level of the bottom of the scratch. As enthusiasts become more sophisticated in their knowledge and use of car care products, they demand better products. They want to use the same products used by the car manufacturers.
If you have a need to remove blemishes, swirl marks, spider webbing, or any nasty paint problem, and / or require a superior gloss finish the Menzerna polishes will become your go-to polishes.
Menzerna’s polishes and compounds are used by so many European vehicle manufacturers because they get a premium product that allows them to produce consistent results on their vehicles. Consistency is the ultimate goal of mass production. Many over the counter (OTC) products use sub par abrasives, i.e., they’re chunky or irregular. Menzerna has some of the strictest standards in uniformity, size, and shape of their abrasives. All milling is done in house so they can maintain total control over their polishes from start to finish. That’s how you know you’re getting a superior product.
Menzerna polishing compounds are capable of removing grit sanding marks with minimal or no loss of surface gloss. Besides being exceedingly surface friendly, the polishes are water-based and silicone-free. They are ideal for use on new paint finishes in a body shop or manufacturing environment. Menzerna polishes are formulated for quick and clean defect removal with minimal finishing work. Often you can go from compound polishing to wax (LSP) application without additional polishing.
The Advantages of using Menzerna Polishes
•Water-based
•Contains no fillers (developed for the OEM market where a filler is prohibited)
•Safe on all types of paint, including clear coat, lacquer, nano technology ceramic, and acrylic
•Little or no loss in surface gloss
•Uniformly sized abrasives
•Safe on new paint and factory cured paint
•Clean, often one-step defect removal
•Low or no dusting
•Superior gloss on any colour paint surface
•Minimal polishing required to restore gloss to dark paints
Not only does Menzerna mill abrasives as fine as 0.3 micron, they have developed some of the tightest quality control procedures in the industry. Menzerna polishing compounds are TUV approved (the German Automotive Safety Council) and meet or exceed ISO 9001 standards, the highest in the world. These polishes are water-based; technically, they're an oil-in-water emulsion. They do contain a petroleum distillate (mineral oils) a lubricant, not a solvent. They do not contain any filler, glaze or silicones.
These diminishing abrasive polishes are foam pad ‘dependant’ as far as its paint correction / renovation abilities are concerned and they appear to work better when the foam pad is ‘primed’ (a very slightly distilled water dampened foam; do not use a quick detailer (QD) as most are formulated with either a wax or a polymer; however they are not easily adaptable to a spray formula.
To be efficient they need to be emulsified to work as a spray, to facilitate this they need to use an emulsion of silicone oils and water. The wax will reduce the friction heat, negatively impacting the diminishing abrasives; silicon-based products can also have a negative effect on the surface / polish lubrication oils used by Menzerna causing surface smearing. (See also Silicone Removal, surface preparation)
Menzerna has customized many of the formulas in the consumer line to allow the enthusiast to polish cured paint. Slightly increasing the amount of lubricating oils already in the formula gives the consumer the extra time needed to polish cured paint before the polish starts to dry These are Germany's best polishes and are used at Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Audi, VW and Porsche plants in Germany, Volvo in Sweden, Renault in France, Fiat in Italy and here in the US at Daimler-Chrysler and General Motors Corvette.
Surface Evaluation
Diagnosis is the key, not guess work; examine the vehicles bodywork, a ‘bag-test will ascertain the need for detailer’s clay, and a 3M Sun Gun or a Brinkman light will help you find any evidence of surface blemishes i.e. swirl marks and scratches. The paintwork should be evaluated with a paint thickness gauge to see what thickness of clear coat remains before you decide how much paint renovation can be safely carried or wither paint preservation would be the appropriate option, before you proceed
Surface preparation is one of the most important steps when polishing to achieve a flawless finish
Always use the least abrasive product / foam pad combination before ‘stepping-up’ to something more aggressive. The most important first step in the process of paint surface detailing is diagnosing the paint surface; density of clear coat (hard or soft) or single stage paint, surface condition; ascertain the severity of the surface blemishes with an inspection light and the paint thickness available, measuring with a paint thickness gauge will dictate the choice and abrasiveness of polish / compound for correction or renovation level required or indeed possible.
Assess the correction level working through the range of polishes from the lightest abrasive upwards until the desired level of correction is reached. Selecting the correct pad / polish combination for the vehicles paint / defects can take just as long as the paint correction process
Compounding, polishing and finishing are different polishing methods that do not necessarily have to be applied consecutively. The appropriate combination of polishing steps depends on colour and quality of the coating as well as on the required quality of the surface.
Never mix polishes on a foam / wool pad and never use a pad that been used for compounding for polishing unless it’s been washed as there may be compound polish residue that will be too aggressive for polishing
Paint System Thickness
Most modern vehicle paint film systems comprise; Primer coat of 2Mils, Colour coat of 1-2Mils, Clear coat 2-3Mils. Removing more that 0.5 mil 0.0005") of clear coat will cause premature paint film failure. As a point of reference two sheets of Saran wrap placed on top of each other measure 1.5Mil (0.0015") a surface scratch that will `catch' your fingernail is approximately 0.004" deep will usually require wet sanding and refinishing. There comes a point when you must judge wither removing a scratch will compromise the clear coat and if so you’ll have to ‘live’ with the imperfection
Painter’s Tape (Masking Tape):
Use to mask around windows, badges, vinyl or rubber trim, can also be used to mask panel edges to avoid thinning the paint surface
3M Scotch® Safe-Release TM Painters' Masking Tape, this tape removes cleanly from a paint film or glass surface without adhesive transfer or surface damage for up to 14 days - even when exposed to direct sunlight. It is a medium adhesion tape with a flexible crepe backing allows for exceptional conformability to semi-smooth surfaces.
No matter what product is used it can only reflect what in underneath it;
CCS Foam Pads - patent pending, Closed Cell Structure (CCS) Technology™, from Raisins Schaumstoffe, Gmbh., Germany developed for and used by Mercedes-Benz These pads are manufactured from thermally reticulated, urethane foam with an open cell structure, with a layer of engineered, instant rebound foam between the pad and the backing plate to absorb off-axis movements while keeping the pressure of the pad on the surface constant.
The newer, harder, scratch-resistant clear coats require longer polishing times to remove swirls, spots and defects improves polish performance by slowing and controlling the rate of polish absorption. Quality foam pads used for detailing are manufactured from specially engineered European foam, a blend of thermal reticulated polyurethane with a 90% open cell structure, created specifically for compounding, polishing and finishing vehicle surface paints. This type of foam allows air to circulate through the pad to reduce spot heat build-up.
In September of 2006 this foam was introduced with Closed Cell Structure (CCS) Technology at Automekanica in Frankfurt, Germany. It produces less spot heating and has a unique compression/load/deflection ratio which means it conforms quickly to contours
This advanced, closed cell structure uses constant pressure technology utilizes a layer of engineered, instant rebound foam between the pad and the backing plate to absorb off-axis movements while keeping the pressure of the pad on the surface constant, these foam pads were specifically developed to polish the new, harder, scratch-resistant clear coats.
A Unique System Approach
For the first time a consortium of German and American companies have cooperated to enable a unique solution for the care and maintenance of Nanotechnology surface coatings; an American coatings manufacturer (PPG) a German abrasive compounds company (Menzerna Polishing Compounds) and an American specialist manufacturer of Engineered foam (Lake County Mfg)
Nanotechnology ceramic clear coats
DuPont's SupraShield™, PPG's Optech™ and CeramiClear™ clear coats and the new, Nanotechnology ceramic clear coats being used by Mercedes Benz
Menzerna’s polishes and compounds
Super Intensive Polish (SIP), Power Finish (PO203S) and Nano Polish (106FF) these polishes contain nano ceramic particles, these micro diminishing abrasives are milled finer and much harder, and also contain a higher abrasive content, 7% were as the other polishes contain 3% abrasivive
Lake County Manufacturing
Closed Cell Structure technology engineered foam pads CCS Orange and Green Foam Pad, these pads removes sanding traces, swirls and paint defects with minimal or no surface dullness or haze. The diminishing abrasives allows these polishes to remove defects, even on brand new paint finishes, with no loss of surface gloss and no micro-marring
These products were specifically formulated to polish out any defects found on Nanotechnology ceramic clear coats, along with a high speed rotary polisher on the OEM production line of vehicle manufacturing plants, utilizing friction to break-down the diminishing abrasives, while in the controlled temperature / humidity environment (working temp range 60 – 80.oF (15-26.oC) of a vehicle manufacturer’s paint shop finishing line.
The newer, harder, scratch-resistant clear coats require longer polishing times to remove swirls, spots and defects. The longer you polish with conventional foam pads, the less effective they become because polish migrates below the working surface of the pad; the pad dries out. Closed Cell Structure technology solves this problem using strategic patterns of partially closed foam cells. These cells slow the rate of polish absorption, gradually releasing polish as needed by the operator. CCS pockets reduce surface tension, prevent pad skipping and allow the operator to run the pad flat on the working surface.
These foam pads provide ample surface contact to effectively work the paint. The pockets are small so they don't affect the amount of foam continuously touching the paint during operation. Standard foam pads are flat-cut, CCS foam pads have the top edge rounded over because it prevents pads from snagging while working in tight spaces. Note: you should always be able to clearly see the (open/unclogged) pores of the CCS; pads or you’re using too much product
Use
Apply the polish to the surface and spread the polish using the foam pad with the machine off. This coats the pad and the surface being polished with product to prevent scratching or hazing the finish. Work the polish onto the paint surface at low speed 600 RPM – then using a light pressure begin working polish at 900 - 1000rpm – increase the speed to 1500 – 1800 RPM were most of the polishing work is done, until the diminishing abrasives have broken down, then reduce the speed to 1200rpm and finally burnish the paint surface at 900 RPM.
A rotary polisher should ‘glide’ across the paint surface, if the polish is clogging up the pad, clean the pad with a spur and reduce the speed, maintain this speed until the polish has spread, then steadily increase the speed as the lubricants can have different reactions to differing paint types, so your technique needs to be adjusted accordingly (see also
Diagnosis is the key
The speed at which the foam pad travels across a paint surface is also important, moving too fast won’t allow the micro-abrasive to ‘beak down’, Machine linear speed; machine left to right movement shown as inches per second (IPS) apply polish at an MLS of 3-inchs per second with a rotary polisher (1.0 to 1.5-inch per second random orbital buffer). The use of a duel level foam pad / polish system (by changing the way each polish works in accordance to which pad and polish you use) will really heighten the paint finish shine. Remember to use the least abrasive first before ‘stepping-up’ to the next abrasive level. Remember to use the least abrasive first before ‘stepping-up’ to the next abrasive level. Diminishing abrasives - require friction to activate them; they should not finish up dry (dusting) but will always have a hazy film to them. Wet polishes eliminate the friction heat caused by buffing; heat causes gloss loss. Polish to a haze- when a polish "flashes" from a liquid paste to a light semi-dry haze; its color changes from the polish color to almost transparent; the polish has then broken down and is ready for removal.
It is important to know when a polish has broken down because if you take it too far you (dry polishing) will re-introduce surface marring conversely if you don’t work diminishing abrasives sufficiently they will cause surface marring (this is due to the size of the abrasive and its cutting ability, once an abrasive has broken down it will burnish the surface as opposed to cutting it)
When the polish is broken down properly you should have a clear surface, the polish will become clear but still barely visible on the pant surface. If it is oily ( Menzerna uses both oil and wax for paint surface lubrication) then either too much polish was used or the diminishing abrasives were not sufficiently broken down, if you don’t allow the polish to haze as it diminishes the abrasives, stopping to soon, is like rubbing sand paper across the paint
These polishes were designed to work with high speed rotary polisher’s, utilizing friction to break-down the diminishing abrasives, while in the controlled temperature / humidity environment (working temp range 60 – 80.oF (15-26.oC) of a vehicle manufacturer’s paint shop finishing line.
Note that silicone has an adverse effect on the oils used for surface lubrication and can cause the polish to smear, also be aware that working outside you may have issues like excess humidity, heat, cold, etc that will affect there performance especially with the Nano polish (105FF) as it uses wax as a lubricant (colder temps may cause the wax to harden)
It should also be noted that these polishes use oil in water emulsion or wax for lubrication; if you are using a polymer after polishing it will be necessary to wipe-down the paint surface with Menzerna Top Inspection, or a 1:1 solution of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and distilled water or DuPont’s Prepsol solvent.
The appropriate combination of polishing steps (Compounding - Polishing - Finishing) depends on the color, quality of the paint surface and the desired finish quality of the paint surface.
Polish Cutting Ability Guide (1/10 high to low)
PO 34A Power Gloss (9/10)
PO 85 RD 3.01- Super Intensive Polish (6/10)
PO 203 S - Power Finish (5/10)
PO106FF - Final Finish Polish (4/10)
PO 106 FA - Final Finish Polish / Super Finish) (3/10)
Menzerna Professional Polishes
Key - Name / Reference Number / Formula / Polish Type (H) Heavy, (M) Medium, (L) light, (F) Finishing / Cut / Gloss
1. Power Gloss (POS 34A) 22984 Compound (H) will remove 1000 grit, cut 5.0 - gloss 1.5, 1500 – 1800 RPM - LC Purple Foamed Wool, Yellow (A hard / dense foam composition (40 PPI) abrasive cutting action) or Orange (mid range, high density foam (60 PPI) medium abrasive cutting action) CCS foam pads
2. Final Polish (PO85RE) Finishing 22923 (M) will remove 3500 grit, cut 2.0 - gloss 5.0, 1200 RPM -White (softer less dense foam (70 PPI) with a light abrasive cutting action) or a Blue (finessing) LC CCS foam pad
3. Super Intensive Polish (PO83Q) Polish 22923 (F) - will remove 2000 grit, cut 3.5 – gloss 3.0, 1300 RPM - primed Orange (mid range, high density foam (60 PPI) medium abrasive cutting action LC CCS foam pads SIP followed by 106FFP then 85FP for an amazing finish on a black car
4. Power Finish (PO203S) - (M) this is a one-step scratch remover polish that will remove 2500 grit, cut 3.0-gloss 3.5, is made for the OEM market as a quick way to polish out light flaws and amplify the paint’s gloss. This polish will remove moderate to mild swirls, water spots, and light scratches. then it burnishes the paint to an ultra high gloss, like you’d expect from Nano Polish (for black or dark coloured paint surfaces use as part of a duel level foam pad / polish system PO 85 RD 3.01 Super Intensive Polish) 1500 RPM - primed LC Orange / Green (mid range, high density foam (60 PPI) medium abrasive cutting action) and a White primed (softer less dense foam (70 PPI) with a light abrasive cutting action) to finesse the finish
5. Nano Polish / Super Finish (106FF) 22865 (F) - will remove 2500 grit, for light surface marring and / or surface finishing, cut 2.5 - gloss 5.0 This polish is formulated with much smaller diminishing abrasive particles that are hardened and undergo an insignificant reduction in size during the polishing process. Nano Polishes utilize the sheer number of particles in conjunction with the properties of the polishing pad to control the amount of cut, they don’t require much friction to ‘breakdown’ and won’t cause surface marring, for LSP ready use a primed White polishing (softer less dense foam (70 PPI) with a light abrasive cutting action) followed by a Blue finishing LC CCS foam pad - 1100 RPM
6. Final Finish Polish / Super Finish (PO106FA) 22911 (F) the up-rated version of P0106FF, this polish is formulated with very finely milled micro diminishing abrasives that don’t require much to ‘breakdown’ and won’t ‘dust’ or cause surface marring. It will remove 2500 - 3000 grit, for surface finishing, cut: 2.5 – gloss 5.0 contains very finely milled micro diminishing abrasives that have a sharp edge that can cut ceramic clear coats as well as the more conventional clear coats, for LSP ready use a primed White (softer less dense foam (70 PPI) with a light abrasive cutting action) followed by a Blue finishing LC CCS foam pad - 1100 RPM
7. Finishing Touch Glaze (PO115CQ) - is a water-based emulsion comprising glycerine, mineral oils and kaolin (China clay). The mineral oils enhance the wetness and depth of the finish, particularly on darker coloured cars, while the kaolin fills and masks minor swirl marks and other flaws. It does not contain any abrasives or cleaning agents. It is designed to improve the brilliance and clarity of painted surfaces, and mask or visually reduce the extent of any imperfections for use in the event that by removing very deep scratches, or when a paint gauge indicates a very thin clear coat paint surface, further use of abrasives would compromise the clear coat
8. Top Inspection (PP95) – use to inspect your work, use this water-based cleaner that removes dust left by compounding and any lubricating oils so you can see the real results of your work. There are no silicones or fillers, just gentle cleaning agents to uncover the real condition of your vehicle’s paint. However this is not the product you want to clay with or use to wipe down the car with after a wash, or use as a quick detailer (QD) as it will remove your wax / sealant (See also
Good Silicone, not so good Silicone Silicone Removal, Surface Preparation
9. These 5" Menzerna Polishing Pads offer amazing performance and fantastic value. These pads are approved by Menzerna the manufacturer of undoubtedly the world’s finest polishes. That means you get a pad that is guaranteed to finish with a brilliant high gloss and a pad that offers superior performance.
- (Orange) polishing pad - used at OEM levels by many major automotive manufacturers offers a softer less dense structure over that of the compounding pad. What that means is you have a pad that has enough cut to remove surface oxidisation and swirls whilst at the same time allowing polishes to break down perfectly to a bright glossy finish. It is therefore the ideal pad for use with finishing polishes and one step products to remove less severe surface defects and restore amazing levels of clarity and gloss
- (White) compounding pad - is very firm and has a aggressive cutting action which will remove even deep scratches and severe oxidisation. It is the most aggressive pad we stock so you need to use this with caution and will likely need following up with the lighter polishing pad.
Notes - Menzerna’s polishes can be used on any isocyanate polyurethane (conventional clear coats) these polishes are very intolerant of silicone oils as they will cause surface smearing. (I use Optimum- Hyper Compound, and Hi Temp - Heavy when in sun (but not direct sunlight) (See also Surface Preparation)
The non-CeramiClear polishes abrasives breakdown relatively easily, but should not be subjected to too much downward pressure as this will decrease the abrasiveness (less cutting ability) on the plus side it will increase the surface burnishing (shine)
Conversely the CeramiClear polishes work more efficiently with medium downward pressure as this helps the abrasives breakdown
Super Intensive Polish (SIP), Power Finish (PO203S) and Nano Polish (106FF) these polishes are formulated for scratch resistant clear coats (i.e. CeramiClear, etc) , which contain nano ceramic particles, these micro diminishing abrasives are milled finer and much harder, and also contain a higher abrasive content, 7% were as the other polishes contain 3% abrasives.. Menzerna Nano Polish is currently used in Mercedes plants in Germany and in auto plants throughout the U. S. to create the reflective gloss on brand new scratch resistant paint finishes
Menzerna Intensive Polish may eliminate the need for a compound. This polish is safe and effective enough that you can remove paint flaws with little or no loss of surface gloss. Normally, you would have to compound, and then follow up with a swirl remover, and then a finishing polish to remove 2000 grit sanding scratches. It would take at least three steps. But with Menzerna Intensive Polish, you can often use it as a single step and go straight to wax application after polishing.
Specific Paint types / Polish and Foam Pad Combinations
a) Dark or Soft Paint Finishes - PO 85 RD 3.01 Super Intensive Polish (F) black or dark coloured paint surfaces, and 'soft' paint - 1200 RPM -White primary (softer less dense foam (70 PPI) with a light abrasive cutting action ) LC CCS foam pad followed by a secondary Blue finishing (very soft 100 PPI) LC CCS foam pad - 1100 RPM
b) Light / Medium Paint Correction - Power Finish (PO203S) and PO 85 D3.01 polishes (LC CCS Green / LC Blue foam or Micro Mesh TufBuf ® black lamb’s wool pads 1500 - 2000 RPM) should be all you need.
c) Paint Renovation - PO S34A Power Gloss (LC Purple wool pad 1500 – 1800 RPM) it has a short work time slow cut but tends to ‘dust’
Slow Hand Polishing Method
Using a random orbital polisher, Menzerna Final Finish (PO 106 FA or Nano Polish 105FF) and a LC White VC or CCS foam pad - this polish is formulated with very finely milled micro diminishing abrasives that allows for a consistent breakdown and thus a consistent micro marring free finish when used - Start at speed # 4, move the pad slowly across the area, then speed # 5, without any pressure, when the polish starts to go clear, spray the pad with distilled water, reduce to speed # 4, then spray pad again, and then increase to speed # 5 and apply pressure.
Apply polish at a machine linear speed (MLS) of approximately 0.25 to 0.5-inch per second. Regardless of the polish you choose, ensure that you keep your work area small, around 18- Inch by 18-inch panel (hence ‘slow hand’) Finely burnish paint surface using an ultra-fine (100 PPI) finishing, primed foam pad (LC Black Finessing CCS Foam pad) this method is time consuming but the results are well worthwhile.
Wipe-down after Polishing/ Compounding
This allows you to inspect the surface to determine if the surface is defect free or if further work is required. When polishing or compounding to remove fine swirls or holograms, it's easy for residues to settle in the swirls, hiding the true paint finish. Wiping the finish with a Micro fibre cloth you may feel that the swirls have been removed, only to have them reappear when applying the final wax or sealant. After polishing a section, mist and wipe to fully remove residues and reveal the true paint finish.
1.Polymer sealants will not form a proper monocular bond with a paint surface if there are any oils present and it will affect durability.
2.Silicone will cause surface smearing and will affect durability
a)Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) - fill a fine misting spray bottle with a 8:1 ratio of Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) / distilled water solution spray the paint surface, leave it to dwell for 30-45 seconds, agitate before wiping the paint surface with a clean, dry 100% cotton towel
b)Menzerna Top Inspection (PP95) – use to inspect your work, use this water-based cleaner that removes dust left by compounding and any lubricating oils so you can see the real results of your work. There are no silicones or fillers, just gentle cleaning agents to uncover the real condition of your vehicle’s paint.
c) Hi-Temp's Prep Wash - to prepare a paint surface for polishing, compounding, wax and / or polymer sealant application (especially if changing from a wax to a polymer product) this is a water-based paint cleaner designed to remove all traces of silicone, oil, and buffing residue from any exterior paint surface
d) DuPont PrepSol II™ - http://www.xurex.com/products.html) spray onto a 100% cotton or a micro fibre towel and clean the surface
The Removal of Silicone - polishing is a mechanical process, silicon is a product that has been designed not to be removed by mechanical abrasion. When using Menzerna, to polish surfaces which have been previously treated with silicon, a smear may result. It is important to understand why this occurs.
- Cause - There are lots of silicon oils on the market. The properties that make silicon so popular with car detailers, and some auto manufacturers, also make it a very difficult product for the polisher to remove. During polishing, the silicon mixes with the excess paint that is being removed from the surface to form a smear.
- Can you remove silicon from a clear coat completely? It is impossible to remove silicon from a painted surface without using a chemical process so aggressive that it dissolves the paint. Wax and grease removers will chemically remove one layer of silicon off at a time but are unable to completely remove all the silicon. Tests by Dr Michael Hauber at Menzerna using a spectroscope showed the layers become thinner but the silicon remains. Removing silicon completely can take place over time and involves a lengthy process of oxygen, chemicals, time and sunlight.
- Preparation- If the car has been treated with silicon, use a wax and grease remover to remove as much of the silicon as possible before polishing. You will not be able to remove it all but it helps.
When a silicon-free polish works on the surface of paint it uses aluminium oxide spheres, suspended in water and hydrocarbons and a mechanical process to abrade the surface of the paint down to the level of the bottom of the scratch. Silicon cannot be removed this way. Silicon is removed by a chemical means and is designed to resist being removed by mechanical means. Instead the silicon mixes with the blend of paint dust and polish powder and it creates a smear on the paint.
We should differentiate between swirl marks in the silicon layer and swirl marks in the paint underneath. Some polishes may appear to remove the swirl marks in the paint but are really only working on the layer of silicon. So the swirl marks in the paint itself remain unaffected by the polishing and reappear after a few weeks, as the silicon is being removed by time.
A mild Chemical process - use Hi-Temp's Prep Wash a water-based paint cleaner designed to remove traces of silicone, oil, and buffing residue from any exterior surface (especially if changing from a wax to a polymer product). Residues from these formulas accumulate in crevices, around handles, wiper arms, on trim, luggage racks, and aerodynamics. Hi-Temp's Prep Wash flows into these hard-to-reach areas and dissolves the build-up.
Used before polishing / levelling applications to remove silicone that will negatively affect the polish. When used after polishing it will remove any residue (oils, wax, etc) it also prepares the surface for the proper bonding of waxes, glazes and paint sealants. If this is not done properly, waxes may not bond, which will cause heavy streaking. Mist a micro fibre towel and wipe over the surface. Wipe dry with a clean micro fibre towel.
Alternative polishes
3M has upgraded its Perfect-It Paint Finishing System product line to better work with the harder clear coats of today.
3M™ Perfect-It™ 3000 Extra Cut Rubbing Compound, 06060
3M™ Perfect-It™ 3000 Ultrafina™ SE (US) 06068 / Ultrafina SE (UK) 50383
3M specifically recommends starting at 1000 rpm, working it in at 1800 rpm and finishing at 1000 RPM.
Information resource
1. Automotive Detailing Inside & Out, A Knowledge Base for the Perfectionist– by Jon Miller
2. Lake County Manufacturing (LC) website
3. Proper Auto Care website
