Polish break down stages

blkyukon

New member
I always get asked, "How do I know if I've worked the polish long enough". So finally decided to document what works for me -

Below are some pictures showing the stages of a polish breaking down (Menzerna Final Polish is pictured below):


Used - PC - Menzerna Intense polish and Final Polish - Meguiars - polishing pad (for both)


1st - before applying any polish
1.jpg



2nd- after spreading it around and working it for about 20 sec. on speed 4.5
2.jpg


3rd- polish has broken down - at this point I slow the speed down and go over it slowly to bring the gloss back to the paint
3.jpg


4th - Here is what it looks like when is finished - almost translucent
4.jpg


5th - the final results, nice spiderweb free finish ready for a wax or sealant
5.jpg


6th - After a coat of Poorboy's EX-P+
(review coming soon)
6.jpg
 
Your work always impresses me :)

Nice picture documentation. I haven't checked Autopia, but I hope this is over there. I know a lot of users looking to try Menzerna via PC.

Can't wait to give EX-P+ a shot as well.
 
djs1967 - I used a Porter Cable Random Orbital


Fallguy - Thanks and yep it's me! :)

GSRstilez - Thanks and I did post it over there too.

I really didn't get a change to evaluate the EX-P+ today...it was ugly outside and I got pulled away after I had put on one coat. I'm going to put a second coat on the tailgate tomorrow and on my wifes car this week and see how it looks on both black and metallic paint. I'll post my results later this week.
 
Nice ride and write up.

I did have one question. I'm interested in the length of time it took to get from pic 2 to 3? I'm not asking so I can use a stopwatch to polish a car. The time will vary depending on product used among other things. It's more of an idea. I'm learning to "see" when the polish has broken down. Just curious.

I like the results with the polish you used.

Thanks!
 
scrub said:
Nice ride and write up.

I did have one question. I'm interested in the length of time it took to get from pic 2 to 3? I'm not asking so I can use a stopwatch to polish a car. The time will vary depending on product used among other things. It's more of an idea. I'm learning to "see" when the polish has broken down. Just curious.

I like the results with the polish you used.

Thanks!

Thanks!

I've always liked FP as my finishing polish, everything I've tried I always end up coming back to it.

As far as time - on average about 1-2 mins between pic 2-3 and the same for pics 3-4..it was cold so it took a bit longer then usual.
 
Got it! Thanks. I'm sure that took you some time to complete the whole vehicle. I use leading brand X for my polishing and wax needs but would like to try Menzerna. Is this available from PAC?

Sorry for the 20 ??s I think i've only got 16 more ??'s to go.

Thanks agian
 
great job, really interestinhg. im just wonderin about a couple things. first, what size pads were you using? and secondly, how slowly were you moving the PC over the paint?

thanks for the help!
 
zesty-man said:
great job, really interestinhg. im just wonderin about a couple things. first, what size pads were you using? and secondly, how slowly were you moving the PC over the paint?

thanks for the help!

Thanks!

They are the 6.5" Meguiar pads

As far as the speed of movement....I can't give you an exact speed, but relatively slow...For a 2x2 section probably about 5-10 seconds for each pass (one way), depending on the stage of the polish, more toward 10 sec. for finishing. If you look at the pics you can gauge the speed to the pattern on the polish.

Hope that helps :bigups
 
Note to self: Have not been working polishes nearly long enough. :)

I've been wondering about that mysterious "breaking down" process myself, thanks for clearing it up with some great pictures!

In general, will most of the other polishes out there go through a similar change in appearance as they break down? How about some of the more aggressive ones, such as SSR 2.5 or 3?

Thanks for a great write-up!
 
kaos said:
Note to self: Have not been working polishes nearly long enough. :)

I've been wondering about that mysterious "breaking down" process myself, thanks for clearing it up with some great pictures!

In general, will most of the other polishes out there go through a similar change in appearance as they break down? How about some of the more aggressive ones, such as SSR 2.5 or 3?

Thanks for a great write-up!


Your Welcome, I hope it helps some people.

They all will go through stages that are similar, but will vary in the way they do it. Some will look like the pictures while others will go on creamy, go clear, then finish with the "holograph look like in the 3rd and 4th picture.

Just practice with the products you have - know that it has to go through stages for it to work properly - be patient and don't rush. :)
 
Ok this was all just one coat of polish that you applied and took off gradually or what? i am just used to applying it and taking it right off. I dont have a real good buffer just one of those average joes ones and im looking into getting one but not off the internet. Do you know where, in like average stores i can get a decent one. I was quite impressed with the finish on the vehicle you did but i just didnt quite follow how u went about it. call me stupid if ya like! What kind of applicator pad did you use to apply and take it off with? sorry for so many Q's. Any info is greatly appreciated, thankyou.
 
That looks great. Nice job. I see that you said you used Menzerna Intense polish and Final Polish and the pictures so you using FP. Why didnt the IP get a lot more of them scratches out?? I just like to know because i think them products will be on my X-mas list.

Thanks,
Mark
 
Shane24 said:
I dont have a real good buffer just one of those average joes ones and im looking into getting one but not off the internet. Do you know where, in like average stores i can get a decent one.

Lowe's has the Porter Cable 7336 for $99. Best deal going. :bigups
 
thank you for the informative thread. have been using the menzerna line and have been satisfied with the products but can see from your pictures that i have a ways to go to get the full potential of the products that i have purchased
 
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