Alternative to System51?

[LeMarque]

Recently completed a project on a black Jeep that was badly scratched. The process was:

1. Wash
2. Clay (sponge)
3. 105 with Polishing Wool (Could have gone cutting wool but the paint was thin)
4. System 51 with Orange
5. 205 With Green
6. 205 With Blue
7. Menzerna Micro Polish With Blue
8. Rejex sealer With Black
9. 3D Poxy With Black

I didn't care for the System51. Looking for alternative suggestions .

Also, heard Micro Polish is being discontinued - any replacement suggestions?

 

[mjlinane]

Not familiar with System51 but from, where you used it, it appears to be a mid-level polish. My go to mid-levels are Menz 203 (now PF2500) and Optimum Polish II. Finishing polishes are Menz 85RD (now UF5000) and Opti Finish Polish. With those, I think you can cut out a few steps.

 

[classofshine]

Have you tried any of the new Microfiber pads? I have yet to but people seem to really like them. Meguirs has then and OPT is already updating theirs and should be out soon. I like the LC hydro tech pads and get good results with them.

 

[mjlinane]

Have you tried any of the new Microfiber pads? I have yet to but people seem to really like them.

I'm one of those people. Was also going to suggest but his set-up is at least a rotary (I assume) and he doesn't make mention of a DA. Once the new Opti MF pads release, it won't matter.

Since I started using MF pads (with M105 and Opti Compound II), I normally need only 2 steps from correction to finish. My rotary is used only for jewelling soft, dark paints.

 

[rzatch]

I had never heard of it either but this is what their web site has to say about it. Also it's endorsed by Jay leno so it has to be good!


System 51

SYSTEM 51 is a one step, high tech auto polish for removing properly color sanded scratches, swirl marks and other paint imperfections.

SYSTEM 51 uses the nanotechnology of engineered microscopic particles to safely polish paint to a perfect finish – with one simple, water-based product. No burn through. No swirls. Just flawless results. It’s easy and it’ll save you time and money. Try it and you’ll never put yourself through the old, multi-step process again.

 

[mjlinane]

Sounds a little like Carpro Fixer. Hmm.... Before I used Fixer, I'd read that it works best on slower speeds. Wonder if this is the same. Not enough to actually buy it, though. I have way too much polish.

 

[LeMarque]

Not familiar with System51 but from, where you used it, it appears to be a mid-level polish. My go to mid-levels are Menz 203 (now PF2500) and Optimum Polish II. Finishing polishes are Menz 85RD (now UF5000) and Opti Finish Polish. With those, I think you can cut out a few steps.

Thanks - I was thinking Menz

System51 took a whole lot of elbow grease to remove

I'm one of those people. Was also going to suggest but his set-up is at least a rotary (I assume) and he doesn't make mention of a DA. Once the new Opti MF pads release, it won't matter.

Used a 3401 - still need more practice with the rotary

Since I started using MF pads (with M105 and Opti Compound II), I normally need only 2 steps from correction to finish. My rotary is used only for jewelling soft, dark paints.

Worked a bit with MF and found them to grab a bit. But again, I'm still learning.

Any quick techniques for using the rotary for jewelling?

 

[mjlinane]

Thanks - I was thinking Menz

System51 took a whole lot of elbow grease to remove



Worked a bit with MF and found them to grab a bit. But again, I'm still learning.

Any quick techniques for using the rotary for jewelling?

Try this with the System 51. After you've finished your system pass, do a couple more at low speed with virtually no pressure. You should see the polish appear (regenerate) on the work area. You should be able then to remove easily. I found this to work with Fixer.

Soft, no-cut pad (black, blue, gold) and superfine polish. If you use the apex method, work up to 1100-1300 rpm and work until looks like you've poured oil on the paint and work back down. Very slow arm movement.

Todd has a thread on jewelling.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

Recently completed a project on a black Jeep that was badly scratched. The process was:

1. Wash
2. Clay (sponge)
3. 105 with Polishing Wool (Could have gone cutting wool but the paint was thin)
4. System 51 with Orange
5. 205 With Green
6. 205 With Blue
7. Menzerna Micro Polish With Blue
8. Rejex sealer With Black
9. 3D Poxy With Black

I didn't care for the System51. Looking for alternative suggestions .

Also, heard Micro Polish is being discontinued - any replacement suggestions?

Was the paint on this particular vehicle really hard or finicky?

You should have (at the least) been able to go from M105/wool right to M205 on a green pad, then finish with Menzerna (if needed). It seems like a lot of polishing steps were done that may have not been needed.

Each subsequent polishing step (passed the first cut) should be powerful enough to remove the existing defects while leaving a higher quality finish.

Instead of System One, you can use M105, just use a shorter work time and a finer pad.

 

[LeMarque]

Was the paint on this particular vehicle really hard or finicky?

You should have (at the least) been able to go from M105/wool right to M205 on a green pad, then finish with Menzerna (if needed). It seems like a lot of polishing steps were done that may have not been needed.

Each subsequent polishing step (passed the first cut) should be powerful enough to remove the existing defects while leaving a higher quality finish.

Instead of System One, you can use M105, just use a shorter work time and a finer pad.

Thanks Todd -

This was part of my 'training'. Some of it had bondo and some just repainted; bird etchings and water stains, etc.. It was really in bad shape.

My take was that he wanted me to see how each step could remove finer and finer scratches and the like. But I'll get back to him and ask.

But glad to hear your take on the process. It sure would save a lot of time.
There's a neighbor's truck in similar condition and I'll give your suggestions a try and post back in a few weeks.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

Thanks Todd -

This was part of my 'training'. Some of it had bondo and some just repainted; bird etchings and water stains, etc.. It was really in bad shape.

My take was that he wanted me to see how each step could remove finer and finer scratches and the like. But I'll get back to him and ask.

But glad to hear your take on the process. It sure would save a lot of time.
There's a neighbor's truck in similar condition and I'll give your suggestions a try and post back in a few weeks.

Yes please keep us in the loop!