My attempt at a polish chart

[TH0001]

I know it needs a little tweaking because it is hard to read, but instead of the predictable charts I tried to add some 'range' to each polish by extending the bar to cover both the potential cut and finish (and everything in between).

SMAT products such as M105 have a longer range then more traditional compounds, while Menzerna polishes tend to sit in the middle. Anyways compliments or critisism is more then welcome.

[Andrew C.]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

Awesome Chart Todd. It actually really makes sense with the SMAT having a longer bar than the others.

Thanks for taking the time to make this!

[RGP]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

That was a lot of work, and I for one, appreciate your time.

It gives a future DA owner such as myself a lot of information.

I'm off of Winter Springs Blvd. in Winter Springs. You???

Go Gators!!!

[TH0001]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

That was a lot of work, and I for one, appreciate your time.

It gives a future DA owner such as myself a lot of information.

I'm off of Winter Springs Blvd. in Winter Springs. You???

Go Gators!!!

Thank you for the compliment!

I am off of Alafaya Trail, near UCF (just North of the Universiaty which gave me a degree besides my terrible ability to spelll

[Zuke]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

Thanks Todd. This will be great to stick on the wall.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

This will be a big help. Thanks for doing this, Todd. It is appreciated.

[Eddie6th]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

Thankyou Todd,for doing this chart. It immediately helps me,as I use 3M products. This is beneficial to so many people. Something like this is a neccessity on this forum!

I didn't have any trouble reading it,so I think the layout is fine,and clear for everyone to understand.

Excellent

[AeroCleanse]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

Menzerna IP is more aggressive than SIP (according to Menzerna)

[TH0001]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

I often find that manufacturers suggestions may not always directly corrulate with the actual appilcation of their products in a dynamic enviroment.

For example Menzerna is first and foremost a developer of OEM (car plant) polishes, so they may use different critera when rating their polishes.

Can IP produce more cutting ability then SIP? Sure. Given the HUGE amount of variables we face applying the products in a dynamic enviroment, anything is possible. In general will it? Not in my experience, although I prefer IP in several circumstances. On softer (filler prone) paint's such as newer Porsches or on oxidized single stage paint's. (The increased dusting helps keep the polishing surface clean by ejecting the spent paint).

Also I have worked personally with the German gentlemen who developed the majority of the Menzerna line (all but two polishes, to my understanding) and have the pleasure of polishing along side of him. SIP features differently milled 'primary crystals' of aluminum oxide which are more aggressive when clustered and should leave a finer finish when broken down.

I feel I have done a fair amount of due diligence in creating these charts, speaking with 15 other detailers and paint experts (including Kevin Brown) as well as the former developer of Menzerna's polishes. Is the chart perfect? Nope, never will be because you cannot account for everything. Is it more accurate and more versatile then other charts? I personally believe so, because it is based on experience and application vs. reading advertisements from the manufacturer's info sheets.

Thanks for all the positive feed back guys!

[Bounty]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

Menzerna IP is more aggressive than SIP (according to Menzerna)

In my experience, Menz SIP cuts better and finishes down finer than Menz IP...

[Murr1525]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

Thats the most wall chart ready looking poster I have seen. Though the product names may need changed from black to really do that.

Just need to get them printed up.

[Bert31]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

I would have guessed Meg's 205 and 151 would have been switched. In other words, 151 having a little more cut than 205. It appears my assumption was wrong.

[the_invisible]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

Awesome chart man. I LOVE the graphics.

You have rated M205 to be more aggressive than SwirlX. This seems to confirm what MeguiarsAsia from youtube is saying. However, according to Mike Phillips M205 is less aggressive than SwirlX.

I am not sure who is correct, but it makes sense that M205 is more aggressive than SwirlX, as M205 is designed to refine surfaces previously prepared by the extremely aggressive M105.

Does anybody know if M205 is in fact more aggressive than SwirlX. Sometimes I am really confused on whether to use M205 or SwirlX after I have prepared the surface with M105. They both seem to yield identical results side-by-side.

[sleepy]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

Good JOB! I LIKE IT!

[TH0001]

Re: My attempt at a polish chart

I would have guessed Meg's 205 and 151 would have been switched. In other words, 151 having a little more cut than 205. It appears my assumption was wrong.

I don't think your assumption was wrong by any stretch. Of all the polishes the Meguiars SMAT polishes are probably the hardest to rate because instead of cutting through a cycle (until the abrasives have broken down and the cut has become next to nothing) you cut over time. M205 could technically be considered a 12 if you can keep the surface wet and run the polish for a long enough time.

I have personally seen M205 out cut and finish the perninell favorite: Menzerna SIP when used on most paints with similar application methods (although the M205 had to be worked slightly longer). BUT (and this is what makes making these charts difficult) Meguiar's markets M205 as a finishing polish (it is much more then that IMO) so I had to take that into consideration when developing the chart. M205 will likely be used with a less aggressive application method (such as a black/finishing pad on rotary) where as Menzerna SIP will be used as a medium cut polish (using a cutting, light cutting, or polishing pad) with more aggressive techniques.

This is why I color coded the polishes as well.
Red- Compound-Heavy Cut Polish
Yellow- Polish
Green- Final Polish
Blue- Polish/Wax all in one

I can see where D151 could be rated much higher, especially if applied in a more aggressive manner. However, if it is applied in a fashion to prevent the creation of swirl marks (used to finish), for example with a finishing pad or a Dual Action Polisher, I find it's cut to reduced. I hope that makes sense?