Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

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ttrill
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Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by ttrill » Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:18 pm

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).
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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:
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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.
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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

ScooBeeFive
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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by ScooBeeFive » Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:58 pm

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.
Paul

2013 F11 B5 BiTurbo Touring #135 - Alpina Blue
2017 F33 B4S BiTurbo Cabrio #235 - Tanzanite Blue

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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by PhillV8S » Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:09 pm

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.
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ttrill
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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by ttrill » Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:40 pm

PhillV8S wrote:
Fri Oct 02, 2020 1:09 pm
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.

D2E039F1-0B2C-41B5-8B49-9D2D09A5A736.jpeg
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.
Toby

2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe

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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by Fast3000 » Wed Oct 07, 2020 4:26 pm

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!
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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by rc944 » Thu Oct 08, 2020 6:00 pm

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
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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by ttrill » Wed Oct 21, 2020 5:23 pm

Used the products on the B3 this weekend to remove some swirls, pretty happy with the outcome.

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Toby

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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by hap » Wed Oct 21, 2020 5:54 pm

Good correction pic

ttrill
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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by ttrill » Wed Oct 21, 2020 7:46 pm

hap wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 5:54 pm
Good correction pic
Thanks Hap
Toby

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2019 440i Gran Coupe

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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by Bob » Thu Oct 22, 2020 12:11 am

You might've over done it a bit Toby, looks like you've polished through the black, down to the blue layer? :wink:
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ttrill
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Re: Menzerna 400 & 1100 cutting compound review

Post by ttrill » Thu Oct 22, 2020 6:47 pm

CaesarBob wrote:
Thu Oct 22, 2020 12:11 am
You might've over done it a bit Toby, looks like you've polished through the black, down to the blue layer? :wink:
Whoops :lol:
Toby

2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe

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