Camron882 -
Thanks for the reply !
You didn't say what size pads you are using on the Porter Cable, so I will assume you are using smaller diameter (5") to get more pad rotation.
You speak of Jeweling - this is usually a 3rd step using a really fine compound - in the Menzerna line it would be PO106FA which has a cut of 2.5 out of 5, or PO85RD which has a cut of 1 out of 5.
In the real day-to-day world of Detailing in my experience, there are not as many times I will be paid to go that extra 3rd step, but, am already getting very close to that 3rd step with the newer products out today anyway..
I get this level of clarity because I am using Rotary Power with a zillion years of practice, so I know that this is not always the norm with the slower rotating, non-forced machine.
What makes/models/years of vehicles are you doing the most? Some products work better on hard or soft paints than others..
Certainly, Menzerna is and was developed years ago to be able to compound the new at the time - cerami-clear paint that Mercedes was using on their cars, and it can totally correct about anything out there in the German car world that I live in, the most..
But, as has already been said by many very knowledgeable people above, there are many options that perhaps can be thought about before you decide to lock yourself into 1 brand for everything..
For example, in my Shop, I have mostly used Meguiars 105/101/205, a few of the Menzerna products, the 3 great Optimum Technology products, and as of the last few months, a really great product from Sonax..
All have their place in my Shop and I will have to use my previous experiences and still run a couple of different products/pads, on every vehicle to determine what will work the best, fastest, and leave as much an LSP ready result as possible, to enable me to over-deliver to the Client, and still come in making good $$$ for the work.
Hope you can find what you like and make it work for your needs !
Dan F