Problem with Menzerna products. Need resolution.

I just finished doing a detail on a 2005 Mazda3. I used to use CarQuest store brand polishing products which are basically 3M products IIRC, but I've recently moved on to Menzerna - which I used for this paint correction. I have never had so much problems with product drying out.

First off:

Power Gloss Compound (used with yellow CCS pad)- It's so thick, it won't even come out the squeeze-bottle top. I have to remove the cap and swing it REALLY hard to get anything out. Once I do manage to get it out, I'm lucky if I get 10 seconds work time with it.I also didn't get the cut I wanted with it. Is it a bad batch or is this normal?


Intensive Polish (used with white CCS pad) - While this product wasn't thick at all and came out of the squeeze top very easily, it would dry up very quick if the pad was not BRAND new/freshly cleaned. Bad batch or normal?


If this is normal for these products to react this way, I'm thinking about moving to Megs 105/205 as I've heard a lot of good about them.


Opinions and solution welcome. Thanks!




Cheers.

 

i believe theres another thread about it drying out, I believe from what i remember reading from that thread is squirt some QD on the pad or smfin along those lines.

 

I actually did that a few times today, it would only help stretch it out to maybe 20 seconds of work time. I mean I'm not expecting 10 minutes of work time, but I'd at very least like one.

I also tried drenching the pad in water and keeping it moist for a while. This didn't really do much unless I applied more pressure to let out the water/products...but this would dilute the product and dry up just as fast when using the appropriate pressure.

I'm personally out of ideas with Menz...

 

I've never worked on a mazda, but it sounds like the problem might be sticky clear coat. I'm assuming you were using a rotary? Have you tried a DA polisher?

 

Also, what size pads are you using and how much polish are you using? Are your work areas roughly 2x2?

 

Thats's funny, i wouldnt be suprised if it depended on where you get it from. The last time i bought menz i had to get it from drivers seat cuz i needed it that day. (quarts) The Powergloss was thick and the superfinish was runny. i just ordered gallons directly from menz usa in new york. (Gallons) The powergloss seems runny compared to the last batch i got, and the superfinish is like toothpaste, the rest seem about normal. No problems with drying out though. (Could be the pads your using but not likely) i did have a long chat with the guy from menz, he said they are doing alot of work to simplify their lineup, as they used to carry too many different polishes. So could be new formulations or something. I have to order more on monday and ill see what i can get out of him about the inconsistencies.

 

Actually, it may be the clear coat, I worked on a Mazda RX8 for Sevenstock 2 months ago, and the clear coat was sticky and unpleasant to work with, it reminded me of Infiniti clears.

 

How fast were you spinning when using these two polishes? I tend to work PG at low rpms, and yes, mine is very thick as well and I always have to poke a screwdriver through the spout to open it up each session I use it for.

 

i have 203 and 106 and both have very long work times. Im using a PC tho with LC 5.5 inch pads.

 

What you are experiencing with Power Gloss is normal. It dries out quickly because it has fewer lubricants which serves to increase cutting ability.

 

FWIW Power Gloss (PO S100) has more lubrication oils than Power Gloss (PO S34A), which may help if you are dealing with 'stcky' paint.

As an alternative you could try Gloss- it Pad Prime to add some extra surface lubrication or you can apply polish with an orbital polisher.

 

Yes, I use a rotary (that's why my avatar is a rotor from a rotary engine, to refer to the car I drive and the tool I polish with ) When we did our test spot, I got to upset with it so we decided that Phil would do the Power Gloss step on the PC.

I'm using 6.5" CCS pads. Since Phil was doing it, I didn't monitor every time he would put some on, but I'd say he was using about a 1" blob for a 2' x 2' square.

I doubt it's because of where I got it from. I've never had any issues with products I've purchased from eShine.

That's what I thought at first, but I've had his issue with a Honda and a Hyundai as well. I've also worked on an RX-8 a few weeks back and had no problems. ?confused:?!

I was using about 1200 rpm for the powergloss, and about 1700 for the Intensive polish

I may give these a try, but that only fixes my Intensive Polish issue. I still need a replacement/solution for the Power Gloss Compound.

(Note: I know I may sound bitchy in this response, but I'm not. I just don't know how else to write it ) So what you're saying is that it's normal for this to dry out that fast and that all I can do about it is add more very often to continue getting cut? I'd rather find another product.




Now, about the Megs 105/205 combo: Does anyone have recommendations about it? Results? Work time? Any info compared to the Menz is appreciated.

 

I looked on 3 different sites, and couldn't find it. Where can I get this PO S100?

 

Power Gloss (PO S100) is a UK only product and is not available in north america so there is no point in looking into that unless you are going to get it shipped over. Perhaps you did get a bad batch or something. I have personally never used PG but M105 has one of the shortest working times of most all compounds. Also Menzerna polishes are very sensitive to temperature and humidity.

 

Really?! So does the fact that it was left out in my car a few summer nights were it falls to 15*C (~60*F). I figured that wouldn't be an issue since that is still roughly room temperature.

Or could it just be a mix of these things together?

 

What I ment was menzerna polishes are sensitive to temps and humidity when you are using them and not storage wise. That goes on to saying you shouldnt expose your polishs to extreme temperatures either.

 

Right. It wasn't too clear right away. I didn't think 15*C was cold enough to affect them either. I normally store them at 20*C, so it's not a big difference. So I'm back to wondering what happened.

 

like i said before, id say it sounds like the clear coat is the issue, not the polishes. have you had the same problems using these polishes on other cars? how did everything go when you used the DA polisher?

 

just an idea that I use with Megs 105 to keep the dusting down and extend it's working time is a little spritz of baby oil or mineral oil. It keeps the dusting down and enables you to work the product for up to 5-10 minutes. And it really doesn't effect the product at all just gives it more lubrication.

 

is powergloss diminishing?