Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
The paintwork has been bugging me on my car as the passenger doors have been reprayed poorly in the past, as you can see below they are very hazy and feel slightly matte to the touch (not that I caress my car but it’s enough to notice when cleaning).
The 1100 should be used with a wool pad but when used with a dual action is still very safe and and does not work too fast. After a few passes over the reprayed area I could see a small difference but was happy with the progress made. It also left no buffer trails either. I used the compound on the bonnet, roof and boot lid as they were quite heavily swirled and had some random deep scratches, I think at some point during the cars life a cat has been on the roof judging by some of the light scratches to it. I was able to remove the swirls from the panels but some of the scratches remain but are incredibly hard to see (I’m very picky about paint so most people don’t even notice).
Here is a midway photo of the panels: The 400 can be used to cut and gloss so is a good step from the 1100 and the quality of the paint left afterwards is so high I went from the 400 straight to wax. I found it removed the last few blemishes left on the paintwork and left it feeling like glass.
I am pretty impressed with the way the paint has turned out and I’m happy to leave the doors now without wanting to respray them.
I have included a link to a video of the panels and the bonnet (Only 1/3 of it completed).
https://youtu.be/XcqraWH7eeY
For reference I used a Dual action polisher with RPM’s set between 4700 and 6200 depending on the panel and level of cut desired. I am not a professional at this and have self taught so this is purely my experience of this and I cannot guarantee it will work the same for everyone.
I decided to get the Menzerna products based on the clear and easy to understand technical sheets available online for each product. The 1100 should be used with a wool pad but when used with a dual action is still very safe and and does not work too fast. After a few passes over the reprayed area I could see a small difference but was happy with the progress made. It also left no buffer trails either. I used the compound on the bonnet, roof and boot lid as they were quite heavily swirled and had some random deep scratches, I think at some point during the cars life a cat has been on the roof judging by some of the light scratches to it. I was able to remove the swirls from the panels but some of the scratches remain but are incredibly hard to see (I’m very picky about paint so most people don’t even notice).
Here is a midway photo of the panels: The 400 can be used to cut and gloss so is a good step from the 1100 and the quality of the paint left afterwards is so high I went from the 400 straight to wax. I found it removed the last few blemishes left on the paintwork and left it feeling like glass.
I am pretty impressed with the way the paint has turned out and I’m happy to leave the doors now without wanting to respray them.
I have included a link to a video of the panels and the bonnet (Only 1/3 of it completed).
https://youtu.be/XcqraWH7eeY
For reference I used a Dual action polisher with RPM’s set between 4700 and 6200 depending on the panel and level of cut desired. I am not a professional at this and have self taught so this is purely my experience of this and I cannot guarantee it will work the same for everyone.
Toby
2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe
2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe
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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
That's a great result. It was definitely worth a try, as you were considering a respray anyway - you had nothing to lose.
I love cleaning/detailing my car (although I have much less time these days with 2 kids) and have used the usual clay bars etc for surface decontamination along with a variety of polishes (including Menzerna products) and waxes. However, I've always been too nervous to have a go with a machine polisher.
Was there much of a learning curve when you started? It would be a big leap of faith to have a first attempt on your pride and joy Alpina.
Thanks for the review though - it's really good to see what you have achieved.
I love cleaning/detailing my car (although I have much less time these days with 2 kids) and have used the usual clay bars etc for surface decontamination along with a variety of polishes (including Menzerna products) and waxes. However, I've always been too nervous to have a go with a machine polisher.
Was there much of a learning curve when you started? It would be a big leap of faith to have a first attempt on your pride and joy Alpina.
Thanks for the review though - it's really good to see what you have achieved.
Paul
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue
Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
It’s really not too hard to machine polish your car.
Watch lots of YouTube videos first to get a good idea of what you need to do. Just make sure your paintwork is nice and clean with and use clay bar and a good iron fallout remover and off you go. Very rewarding and will make your car look great. Another plus is it’s much easier to keep clean going forward.
If you have a less loved car maybe practice on that first but in reality you would have to do something pretty catastrophic to damage the paint with a DA polisher.
I hadn’t had too much experience before this photo was taken, really takes the shine to another level.
Watch lots of YouTube videos first to get a good idea of what you need to do. Just make sure your paintwork is nice and clean with and use clay bar and a good iron fallout remover and off you go. Very rewarding and will make your car look great. Another plus is it’s much easier to keep clean going forward.
If you have a less loved car maybe practice on that first but in reality you would have to do something pretty catastrophic to damage the paint with a DA polisher.
I hadn’t had too much experience before this photo was taken, really takes the shine to another level.
Range Rover SDV8.
E64 B6s #100 Cabriolet (Now Sold)
Maserati Gransport
E64 B6s #100 Cabriolet (Now Sold)
Maserati Gransport
Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
Exactly what Phil has voiced, BMW paint is typically hard so don’t loose faith if it doesn’t seem like you aren’t making much progress compared to a tutorial video it probably isn’t you. One of the most important factors I’ve found is having clean pads, I have 2 sets and alternate whilst polishing with one set drying as dirty pads will only send you backwards or they won’t be as effective as clean ones.PhillV8S wrote: ↑Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:09 pmIt’s really not too hard to machine polish your car.
Watch lots of YouTube videos first to get a good idea of what you need to do. Just make sure your paintwork is nice and clean with and use clay bar and a good iron fallout remover and off you go. Very rewarding and will make your car look great. Another plus is it’s much easier to keep clean going forward.
If you have a less loved car maybe practice on that first but in reality you would have to do something pretty catastrophic to damage the paint with a DA polisher.
I hadn’t had too much experience before this photo was taken, really takes the shine to another level.
D2E039F1-0B2C-41B5-8B49-9D2D09A5A736.jpeg
Toby
2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe
2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe
Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
Very nice write up Toby. I have heard Menzerna products are some of the best out there. I would agree most BMW paint does tend to be softer especially on the more modern stuff post 2012....but Z4 paint a lot harder I was told by a detailer I used, and just the way the scratches were harder to level out! Anyway its a fantastic hobby and wish I had more time to do!
Current
2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
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2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2011 BMW Mini Cooper (Great fun, Solid)
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2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
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1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Rare fun car)
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2004 BMW B3S #156 (Keeper)
2015 BMW 320d F30 ED Sport (70mpg)
Previous
2011, 2016, 2018 - Kia Sportage (Rolls Royce customer care)
2011 BMW Mini Cooper (Great fun, Solid)
2007 BMW Z4M E86 Coupe (Animal)
2006 Audi A4 B7 2.0T (Good car)
2001 VW Golf GTI MK4 (Meh)
1994 Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec (light n dandy)
1992 Fiat Tipo GT (Rare fun car)
1991 Ford Orion 1.6 Ghia (beefy engine)
1984 Ford Fiesta 1.1L (Audio more expensive then car)
Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
nice work
i happily used a menzerna selection of products some years back when doing a light correction of my guards red 968 cs using my kestrel das
patience is a virtue in the detailing game and i have less than i used to
i happily used a menzerna selection of products some years back when doing a light correction of my guards red 968 cs using my kestrel das
patience is a virtue in the detailing game and i have less than i used to
Porsche 997.1 GT3 CS I Alpina E46 B3s Coupe I Alpina E46 B3 3.3 Touring I Ducati 749S Mono I Ducati 748R I Ducati 749 Track Bike I Ducati 916S
Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
Used the products on the B3 this weekend to remove some swirls, pretty happy with the outcome.
Toby
2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe
2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe
Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
Good correction pic
Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review
You might've over done it a bit Toby, looks like you've polished through the black, down to the blue layer?
B3 3.2 TOURING #062