FR : Menzerna

[Ghoonk]

I've been trying out Menzerna's final polish II, FTG (Finishing Touch Glaze), FMJ (Full Molecular Jacket) and the High Gloss Acrylic Shield. Results have been stunning to say the least.

 

Haven't figured out how to upload pictures to share with you guys on the results, but i've found that menzerna seems to outshine klasse, and it's easier to apply as well (less streaking compared to SG).

 

Here's how it went:

 

1. washed car with NXT Wash, followed by claybar

 

2. checked paintwork for minor scratches and cleared them out using Meg's ScratchX

 

3. applied menzerna final polish II with a damp applicator (goes on like a compound -- trick is to work in small sections of 2 ft by 2 ft, rub until dry, then buff off) -- the paintwork comes off SUPER clean after that, and you can tell from the absolutely smooth and squeaky (literally) feel

 

4. applied FTG -- this one looked like liquid butter and raw eggs. weird consistency, but goes on easy. Seems to bond easily to the FP prep, but have to apply with a dry applicator (I applied with a damp applicator and got some streaking - oops, should have read the instructions!). FTG seems to have micro-fillers, and hides light scratches easily, so you get a mirror-like surface.

 

5. applied FMJ -- this one was like applying butter. Very nice and creamy, but have to apply a thin layer (I've learnt that when it comes to detailing, less is more :)), else it's just a waste. FMJ seems to give the paintwork more depth, and is supposed to form a hard impermeable layer over the paintwork. Unlike Klasse, this one doesn't seem to respond well to WOWO method -- better to let it dry off completely (I did the whole car, before going back to the first panel to buff off) so that it has a chance to bond better (?) and also MUCH easier to buff off (very similar experience to Autoglym's EGP)

 

I didn't get around to applying the High Gloss Acrylic Shield on the whole car (only the bonnet) but was told that it is better used for topping up once every 2 weeks. The Acrylic Shield seems to streak if you apply too much (which I did again) but comes off with QD and light buffing. It's extremely sticky, and seems to be similar in nature to SG, except that it feels much thicker, is clear and not milky, and gives the paint a very VERY hard, deep, glossy look.

 

This was applied on a yellow Evo IX. Took approximately 2 hours.

 

Got the stuff off a local DIY site www.diygurus.com. Cost me a bit more than Klasse, but I felt that the results justified the performance.

 

Products Used:

Menzerna Final Polish II - cannot remember

Menzerna Finishing Touch Glaze - $28.80

Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket - $68

Menzerna High Gloss Acrylic Shield - $29.60

 

Bought from : http://www.diygurus.com

Service comments : Site a bit CMI, but service was good. They called to confirm my order within an hour of placing the order, then delivered it within 4 hours. FMJ comes with a microfibre cloth and a microfibre applicator in the box, and they threw in an extra 2 terry applicators for the FPII and FTG.

 

Final comments on product

Actually, FPII is not a must -- for cars in good condition, used FTG + FMJ is enough. HGAS is good if you don't plan to top with carnauba, and I think a once a month application after every wash is good enough to maintain for at least half a year (maybe even a full year if you're not so hardcore and want to do a full stripdown and reapplication of the system.

 

Note : Just got my Flickr account, so I'll upload pics later today :)

[Lokturne]

Nice write-up.

 

PO85RD is better suited for hand application than FPII but won't remove as many swirls. If you need FPII, I think you're better off with a machine anyway. Otherwise, AIO lays a perfect base for FMJ.

 

I'm not such a big fan of glazes so I've never used FTG.

 

I'm a big fan of FMJ. Slickness and ease-of-use is 2nd only to UPP. Klasse twins have a nice wet-look but FMJ is wetter and more of a liquid shine which I definitely prefer. Durability isn't as good but it's so easy to use and with HGAS it's not a huge problem imo.

 

FMJ, along with UPP and Z2Pro, is one of the few sealants I don't top, despite my heavy preference for carnauba finishes. S$68 isn't a bad price either, but I honestly would recommend people to skip the FTG unless they want to fill in some swirls.

Edited November 29, 2005 by Lokturne

[Ghoonk]

I fully agree. I used FTG because that I what I got. AIO has an ease of use that is hard to beat, though I have found it to be tough to buff off at times. Regardless, AIO remains one of the better products out there, and the value-price-performance is hard to beat.

 

I think FPII is a consumer-range product, and it is hard to compare it against PO85RD which I have found to be an excellent product when it comes to restoring oxidised and marred paintwork. That said, PO85RD can also be hard to remove. The results are good, but effort is required.

 

For new car paintwork, I think a good combination would be AIO/FTG (FTG is slightly cheaper though), followed by FMJ and HGAS. I've found FMJ's durability to be slightly better than SG, but I think this is how it works:

 

FTG/AIO can be used as a base prep. FMJ comes in as another layer delivering that liquid look with superb depth. However, FMJ should be topped with HGAS once cured (24 hours should be sufficient) to lock in the look. I've also noticed that it is not FMJ that gives it that 'hard' look, but HGAS.

 

I'm still a big fan of Klasse though I've found menzerna to arrive at similar results from a different path.

 

With Klasse, my favourite combo is AIO+SG+SG+SG+Pinnacle Souveran for a natural look, but this requires regular maintenance (topping up of Pinnacle once a fortnight) -- Pinnacle can be substituted with soft99 Authentic Premium or Authentic Excellent. I've also found Optimum Car Wax to be good for maintaining the carnauba shine on top of SG

 

For those who do not have the time to spend on maintenance, I'd recommend either of the following:

 

Klasse AIO+SG+SG+SG+ Menzerna HGAS (Klasse Kit = $88, HGAS = $30, Total = $118) - apply HGAS once a fortnight

 

or

 

Klasse AIO+SG+SG+SG+ Optimum Car Wax (Klasse Kit = $88, OCW = $33, Total = $121) - apply OCW once a week

 

or

 

Menzerna FTG+FMJ+HGAS (Menzerna FTG=$29, FMJ=$68, HGAS=$30, Total = $127) - apply HGAS once a fortnight

 

The menzerna option is the most expensive of the lot, but I think I'm sold on the depth and the liquid look which I needed to use Pinnacle on top of SG for :)

 

The fact that it goes on easy, and is durable is also a big plus for me :))