SSR2.5/SSR1 vs. IP/FPII

T

TGates

Active member
How do these polishes compare? Right now I have the SSRs and I really like them but am running a little low on 2.5 and am either going to order more of it, or the Menzerna polishes. Will I be able to tell much of a difference between them?



Is there something else from Menzerna I should consider along the lines of the recently discontinued polish? What was the difference between it and its brother product (106 I believe) and the IP/FP polishes?
 
You can probably switch out FPII for 106FF when it's restocked. They seem to fill the same capability criteria from what I've read (though I've only used FPII, so i can't say this from personal experience). SSR2.5 has more cut than IP IMO. FPII I feel has more cut than SSR1.
 
I like SSR2.5 so much because it is aggressive enough for swirls yet finishes out cleanly on my dark blue. It seems like IP would need to be followed with FP.



Is 106 returning or is a new product replacing both it and the 85?
 
Try the Menzerna IP just once and you will see for yourself - it finishes equally well as 2.5 and is stronger IMO. I have both, but will not be buying any more 2.5 after using IP. As far as cut, put some of each of the products on a pad and rub it into the paint by hand and listen to the "grit"...IP has more abrasives than 2.5, yet you will find that they finish down equally well (acutally, I like the finish of IP better too). Per ounce, price is comparable too.



Everybody has their favorites...but I think you will like ALL of Mernzerna's abrasive prodcuts.



BTW, if you plan on (or are willing to) perform a 2-step process, use Menzerna Power Gloss followed by FPII (or any other light polish). PG dusts quite a bit, but is absolutely amazing in regards to how well it finishes down considering it cuts heavily. Just last night I did a black SUV that was JACKED up so I knew I would be performing a 2 or 3 step polish process. Under 2 1000 watts lights I tested Optimum Hyper Compound, PB 3, and PG head to head using a rotary and a medium polishing pad. Both PG and PB 3 cut better than Hyper, but PG finished down better (less rotary holagroms) than PB 3, making PG the clear winner. I was able to remove most heavy swirls and scratchs and yet the holagrams were light enough that I was able to follow with #9 and a finishing pad and be done - 2 steps where normally 3 would be required - I'll pay extra for that :) Also, though Hyper Compound does not cut as heavy as claimed, this will be by go-to compound for medium defect removal because it is very easy to use, does not dust, finished down very well, wipes off easy, and it's relatively cheap.
 
I had over a gallon of 2.5 and have traded it off mostly for Menzerna polishes. If you buy IP and FPII or whatever combination and don't like them compared to what you're using now I'll happily send you in trade the equivalent amount of the SSR's. Sound good??
 
The 106 is FP with a little better finish. The difference shows best on dark cars and with the use of a rotary polisher or Cyclo. If you'll be using the PC, I'd stick to FP.



Also, do *us* a favor and just get the 32 ounce bottles. You'll thank me later.:D
 
SpoiledMan said:
The 106 is FP with a little better finish. The difference shows best on dark cars and with the use of a rotary polisher or Cyclo. If you'll be using the PC, I'd stick to FP.



Also, do *us* a favor and just get the 32 ounce bottles. You'll thank me later.:D
Click to expand...



I have a dark blue (midnight blue metallic) and silver metallic car, so I've got both ends of the spectrum covered, but I will be working with a PC. I also only polish each car about once every six months so I think the 16 ouncers will be fine for me... I'll be using up the Optimum Polish on customers cars. I just can't get it to work well for me.
 
BlackSunshine said:
I like SSR2.5 so much because it is aggressive enough for swirls yet finishes out cleanly on my dark blue. It seems like IP would need to be followed with FP.



Is 106 returning or is a new product replacing both it and the 85?
Click to expand...



You can see here where I went from IP to a LSP on dark blue.
 
RAG said:
Try the Menzerna IP just once and you will see for yourself - it finishes equally well as 2.5 and is stronger IMO. I have both, but will not be buying any more 2.5 after using IP. As far as cut, put some of each of the products on a pad and rub it into the paint by hand and listen to the "grit"...IP has more abrasives than 2.5, yet you will find that they finish down equally well (acutally, I like the finish of IP better too). Per ounce, price is comparable too.



Everybody has their favorites...but I think you will like ALL of Mernzerna's abrasive prodcuts.



BTW, if you plan on (or are willing to) perform a 2-step process, use Menzerna Power Gloss followed by FPII (or any other light polish). PG dusts quite a bit, but is absolutely amazing in regards to how well it finishes down considering it cuts heavily. Just last night I did a black SUV that was JACKED up so I knew I would be performing a 2 or 3 step polish process. Under 2 1000 watts lights I tested Optimum Hyper Compound, PB 3, and PG head to head using a rotary and a medium polishing pad. Both PG and PB 3 cut better than Hyper, but PG finished down better (less rotary holagroms) than PB 3, making PG the clear winner. I was able to remove most heavy swirls and scratchs and yet the holagrams were light enough that I was able to follow with #9 and a finishing pad and be done - 2 steps where normally 3 would be required - I'll pay extra for that :) Also, though Hyper Compound does not cut as heavy as claimed, this will be by go-to compound for medium defect removal because it is very easy to use, does not dust, finished down very well, wipes off easy, and it's relatively cheap.
Click to expand...





Been using IP and FPII on about 8 details so far w/ a PC. I like it alot. Don't get just 16oz of the IP as it might be your most used product if you use it on customers cars. I'm ordering more IP due to this reason.



RAG, Is PG a rotary only product? I do have a CE rotary from HF, but have only tried it once so far on a small section. Its feels much different then a PC to me, but I guess more time with it will help.



TIA!
 
Polishing pad is fine for IP - it is what I use mostly.



Regarding PowerGloss - it is the same thing as IP, only it has double the concentration of abrasive particles. Rather than going with bigger and more solid particles, Menzerna simply uses more of the same (small) abrasive particles - this is far superior. Because of this, it is fine to use with a dual action polisher. PG is a little tricky in that it is a thick paste (because it is made of so many small abrasives), but the results are worth it. And it goes a long, long way.



I often use PG with a firm polishing pad. I'd rather use PG and a polishing pad than a "medium" compound like #83 with a cutting pad; though these combinations will cut relatively equally, the PG and polishing pad will finish down much nicer, usually only requiring a very quick and light final polish (actually, I can finish with PG on light colored cars and you'd never be able to tell my last step was compound).
 
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