Dusting with Menzerna IP

M

manuels_madness

New member
Today I washed my car with QEW and clayed it. So I decided to try using my PC and Menzerna IP for the first time. I used an orange Lake Country and after polishing my hood I realized my pad was now grey. Apparently my 04 IS doesn't have clear coat. Once the polish starts breaking down I noticed that the pad was dusting everywhere. Then when I tried to buff off my hood the dust was nearly impossible to remove. Once I do get some of the dust off it seems to reintroduce more swirls. The IP removed a lot of swirls but it looks like I need to do another pass over it. What's the best way to keep the dust from gettin all over my car. The rest of the steps I'm planning are:



One more time with IP

2X FPII - LC White Pad

1-2X AIO - LC White Pad

2X - KSG - By Hand



So if anyone has tips for me it would be great. Also if there is someone here in the Northern California that would be willing to teach me. That would be great.
 
Using a softer pad will reduce dusting, as will using less polish, but I generally do get quite a bit of dusting with IP. I just go top to bottom, then I wipe the car down before the next step with a terry mf and meguiars final inspection (this stuff is great for removing dust/polish).
 
Generally, IP will dust if you use too little and work it too long. If you use too little, the lubricating oils dry up too quickly and it dusts. Same if you work it too long. Polish buildup on the pad can cause it too, so clean or swap the pad frequently. Also, don't prime the pad with anything but IP, and don't re-wet the pad with water or QD. All of these things can cause IP too work unpredictably. Using a less aggressive pad (like a white pad) allows the polish to work longer and dust less.



If you avoid the above, IP is quite easy too use after the initial learning curve.



If this is your first time, describing your process and polish usage can help us determine the cause.
 
You've already receivd good advice here, so I will add what I can. IP will dust however, but it removes defects extremely well. Use Quick Detailer to remove stubbord dust or dried product.



The orange LC pad gums up more than any other pad I've used with IP. If possible, choose another pad - preferably a more porous one when using Intensive Polish or Power Gloss. If your confined to using Lake Country pads, the green ones are the best for IP and PG.



To keep IP dust to a minimum here are some tips:

1) Don't use too much product or it will cake up (but use too little and it will dry too quickly as ALFISTI said)

2) Don't work too long where it starts to dry and dust

3) Choose a porous pad

4) Use a toothbrush to remove excess product fromt he pad after each panel

5) Use 3 or 4 pads to do a car if you have to (once IP dries in the pad, dust will shake out everywhere, especially when you contact an edge...the product will dry out on the edges of the pad)

6) If you don't have numerous pads to work with you have 2 options... you can use QD to keep the edges moist and/or you can wash the pad edges



Lastly, you mentioned not being able to get the "dust off." I believe this is "caking" residue which tells me your main problem is too much product.
 
I'm not confined to the Lake Country pads I can always order new pads. Just wondering what pads you guys recommend? I probably did work it in too long. I spent a lot of time going over the panels since there are so many heavy swirls everywhere. Would the LC white pad work better? Are there other brand new pads that would work well? Should I look for another type of polish in order to get the heavy swirling out or will it just take several passes with the IP? Thanks for all the great advice guys.
 
The white might be a bit better, but will still gum up a bit (don't ge me wrong, via the rotary these are my second favorite pads (second to the Propels)). Try and see how they work out for you using your new-found advice. And don't be afraid to lay down a bunch of pressure on the pad if you are trying to remove a lot of swirls - try one light (pressure) pass to spread the product around, 2 heavy passes, and then one last medium pass...then wipe off.



You will then want to finish with a final finishing polish, as IP will not leave the best possible finish.



Regarding the color coming off on your pads - I've been trying to figure out what the story is on those cars. I've detailed a few lately. Color comes off on the pad but not nearly as much as it would if it were single stage paint. Some of us suspent the clear coat is actually tinted. I've been trying to catch up with my buddy who owns a body shop to see if he knows...
 
Thanks for advice Rag. Are the propel pads that much better than the LC pads? If so which pads would recommend for IP? I'm going to try out the advice given out if I can get out of work early tomorrow.



Rag I'm going to follow the IP with a few layers of FPII, AIO and KSG. But first I need to get rid of the pesky swirls (if possible).



Yea the color coming on my pad had me worried a bit cause the pad went from orange to grey. From what I have heard from some Lexus Reps is that Lexus puts several coats of paint on the car but man the paint is so soft. I have rock chips everywhere, I dont know if a clear coat would help. Some Xpel would have been a good idea when I bought the car. Anyway let me know what you find out from your buddy. Thanks to everyone for their help.
 
The Propel pads aren't better than the LC pads, just cost less, and a slightly different grade - very similar to the Sonus DAS and Megs pads.



IP is water-based and works best with the Sonus SFX or LC DA white pads. They are formulated for this kind of polish which results in longer work time and less polish drying.



http://www.autopia-carcare.com/sonussfxpads.html



http://www.lakecountrymfg.com/foampads_dafoam.html



Black frequently isn't clear-coated as it shows up swirls too easily. Don't let it worry you - its quite normal. Just get the swirls out.
 
I'll try to be brief and respond to the last 2 posts:



-The Propel pads are not cheaper than the LC pads.



-Yes, the Popel pads are the best (I seriously have just about every pad currently made). But their primary benefits are for the rotary IMO - very little heat generation (not a factor with the PC) and their flexibility.



-Since you plan on performing multiple steps, you should try to get a bit more cut on your first step to remove those nasty swirls. I would go with the new yellow Propel II, Sonus SFX Yellow, or the meguiars burgandy pad for you first trip around the car - these are all stiff pads that will cut more and allow you to excert more pressure.



-You can follow IP with FPII and the white LC pad, Meguiard Yellow, SFX Blue, Propel II blue, or any other polishing pad you desire. As far as AIO goes, doen't spend too much time applying this product - your are applyiing it primarily for beauty and not defect removal; otherwise your time is better spent making another round with a dedicated polish like FPII (or IP if needed).
 
Here are some Pictures that might interest you - I just detailed this black Lexus about a week ago for a customer. The pictures were taken with my camera phone, so they aren't very good - it was my first time taking and uploading digital pictures BTW. It was heavily swird as you can see...I think it was an 03 or 04.



Here is a picture of a bird dropping that I had to wetsand out.

lexusfenderetching.jpg




Picture of the dropping sanded:

lexussandedfender.jpg




Trunk before (again, I had to sand some rust out]:

lexustrunkbefore.jpg




Trunk after:

lexustrunkafter.jpg




Rear fender before:

lexusfenderbefore.jpg




Front fender after (this picture was actually taken before polishing, right after compounding with PG!):

lexusfender2after.jpg




Trunk - After. My wife took this picture with her good camera:

trunkreflection.JPG




Owner was blown away - looked bettter than when it was brand new. I told him that was because some lot monkeys had already washed it before he bought it...inducing scratches.
 
BTW, I used Menzerna power gloss via rotary and then #9. PG has a higher concentration of the same abrasives used in IP.



Some color came off on the pads, but nothing like if it were true single stage paint.
 
I started looking for the Meguiars pads and propel pads. Thinking about trying them out and during my search I found the proper auto care website. They have a little write up about IP and they suggest to clean the surface after polishing with Alcohol and water? Is this a good technique? Check out the URL:



http://www.properautocare.com/meninpol.html



I'm just wondering. I plan on posting pictures of my paint condition soon. Thanks for everyone's advice.
 
manuels_madness said:
I started looking for the Meguiars pads and propel pads. Thinking about trying them out and during my search I found the proper auto care website. They have a little write up about IP and they suggest to clean the surface after polishing with Alcohol and water? Is this a good technique? Check out the URL:



http://www.properautocare.com/meninpol.html



I'm just wondering. I plan on posting pictures of my paint condition soon. Thanks for everyone's advice.
Click to expand...



Just depends on what LSP you are using. I have done the 50/50 wipedown both ways with zaino and so far no difference. Some say that FPII has a little bit of oil in it.
 
I too don't really think the 50/50 IH wipedown is necessary - I haven't noticed any difference in durability between when I have and have not done the wipedown after polishing. So I wouldn't bother with it if I were you...focus on keeping it simple for now.
 
Well I promised some pictures of my car. Here is a quick before of how dirty it was, this after a week of driving 80 miles a day to San Francisco for a week of rain.



SideProfile.gif




Here's a pic of the swirling on my hood. The swirls are awful everywhere. I've been polishing with the IP buts so far not all are out (lack of time is sucking going to SF is a long trip). Hopefully this weekend I can spend a good two days and really polish it.



Swirls.gif




Here's a pic of what parking in SF can do to your car. Man I was pissed about this :mad: but what can I do. I've polished the area twice with IP looks less noticable but I doubt I can get rid of that. I'll post some after pictures when I'm done with the whole car.



Served.gif




Anyway gonna order some Propel pads and Meguairs pads like Rag suggested to try out with the IP. If anyone has any other suggestions it would be great.
 
You can't go wrong with the Propel Pads - they are great. BUT, it isn't gonna be a "night and day" difference or anything. Just get a really aggressive pad for your first cut/go-around; with a PC you are limited with how aggressive of a product you can use, in which case you go for a more aggressive pad when you need more cut.
 
Manual, if you're going to get Propel pads, get the orange or yellow for your aggressive pad. Whatever you do, don't use the Megs burgundy pad with a PC. Its far too aggressive and it'll dull the gloss down so far that its nearly impossible to bring it back, especially on dark colours. The burgundy pad works great with a rotary, but I'd stay away from it with a PC.
 
Damn I wish I would have seen your message about the Megs pad earlier Alfisti. I alreay ordered the burgundy pad. Oh well I got the propel pads too. I wanna try out the pads and see which ones work better for me. So I can't use the Burgundy pad at all. Good thing I ordered the Polishing one too from Megs. Can I use a less agressive polish with the burgundy pad? Let me know what I can use it with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top