Menzerna announced that they
were revising their labelling scheme (yet again) but this time I think they’ve
finally got it right. The revised product names are all unique and incorporate
cut level information, which makes it much easier to understand the range, and
the newly designed labels (with colour-coding), which makes it easier to pick
up the right bottle in the heat of the moment. This new scheme; formally termed
the Menzerna Polishing Programme has eliminated potential confusion between
similar products and brought the brand image right up to date.
The Menzerna Polishing
Programme comprises four process-based categories, which are colour-coded for
easy recognition: (1) Heavy Cut (Red); (2) Medium Cut (Yellow); (3) Finish
(Green), and; (4) Protect (Blue).
Within each process-based
category relevant products are positioned in one of four descriptive groups:
(A) Standard Products (for all common applications); (B) Alternative Products
(for non-standard applications); (C) Special Products (that cover more than one
process or have special performance characteristics), and; (D) Accessory
Products.
Standard Products and
Alternative Products falling into the Heavy Cut, Medium Cut and Finish
categories have unique names ending in a four-digit number. The first digit in
this number reflects the process category (1 for Heavy Cut, 2 for Medium Cut
and 3 for Finish), while the last three digits reflect the relative cut level
of the product compared to others in the same category (the smaller the number
the more abrasive the product).
https://www.menzerna.com/…/menzerna_Polishing_Programme_ENG…Abrasives
The ability for an abrasive
to "cut" depends on the shape of its crystals or particles, not
necessarily its size. A medium size, spiked abrasive will tumble and dig.
However, a large round crystal won't leave a deep scratch.
A large hard abrasive may
also be brittle. It will cut once and lose its edge, while a softer small
abrasive will hold its edge and keep on cutting. Many smaller abrasives have
wedge shaped edges protruding from triangular crystals. These can easily slice
through an oxidized layer of metal.
Diminishing abrasives require friction - not heat (that is just a by-product of kinetic friction)
to activate and progressively reduce their size until they become a finite
milled dust; they are buffered or cushioned in a lubricating water-based oil
film emulsion, usually in a semi-liquid paste.
Wet polishes eliminate the
friction induced heat caused by buffing; heat causes gloss loss. Some very
abrasive compound polishes don’t feel abrasive to the touch because the
particles are formulated in a solvent or polymer oils in a water-based emulsion
and are not released without friction.
The abrasive starts off as
large particles, which removes the most paint, they are then reduced in size
into finer and finer particles (hence ‘diminishing’) removing progressively
less of the paint surface, by the friction caused by the foam pads contact with
the paint surface. By varying the size of the abrasive a differing cut is
obtained, so the more the abrasives are reduced in size the finer the resultant
finish until the particles are reduced to a very fine powder, which in turn
produces a burnished surface shine.
The amount of size reduction
(diminishing) can be adjusted by the type of abrasive material used (silica and
/or aluminium oxide) allowing some polishes to use for the removal of surface
scratches only, but if required can then followed up with a finishing type
polish that contains smaller abrasives. Were as some polishes will remove
surface scratches and by changing the abrasive ability of the foam pad will
then go on to buff the surface to a shine ready for the application of a last
step product
Grit Numbers
Sandpaper
or finishing paper is the most common item from a larger group of products
known as "coated abrasives" i.e. Aluminium oxide.
When
talking about "grit" is a reference to the number of abrasive
particles per inch of finishing paper (sandpaper). The lower the grit the more
abrasive and conversely, the higher the grit number the lesser (smoother) the
finishing paper
When talking about abrasive
finishing paper, "grit" is a reference to the number of abrasive
particles per inch of paper. It eliminates the risk of deep sanding scratches
by providing a uniform grit size. This makes sense if you imagine how small the
grit particles on a 1000-grit finishing paper would need to be to fit into a 1-
inch square. Grit finishing paper is referred to by the size of its abrasives
(i.e. 1500-grit paper) the grit you use depends on what kind of scratch (i.e. the scratch made by what grit of sandpaper) you are
trying to remove.
Each level of abrasive you use leaves it own scratches, so the method behind polishing is to use a finer and finer grit abrasive until they can no longer be seen by the naked eye
Compound: 1000-1200 grit
Polish: 1500 – 2000 grit
Finishing
polish: 2000 – 400 grit
Materials used - most
good compounds are a combination of both silica and aluminium oxide. The
abrading ability of these compounds can be changed by their application method
(i.e. machine speed and/or pressure used, using wet or dry and/or type of foam
(different foam compositions have a differing abrading ability) Allow
sufficient time for the polish to work, with a more aggressive polish a longer
time period is required (approx. 3 – 6 minutes)
The speed at which the foam
pad travels across a paint surface is also important, moving too fast won’t
allow the micro-abrasive to ‘beak down’, Machine linear speed; machine left to
right movement shown as inches per second (IPS) apply polish at a machine linear
speed (MLS) of 3-inches per second with a rotary polisher (1.0 to 1.5-inch per
second random orbital buffer).
Most abrasives are foam pad
‘dependant’ as far as its paint correction abilities are concerned and they
appear to work better when the foam pad is ‘primed’, I would recommend a two
level foam pad / polish system to really heighten the paints finish shine.
Current Information
A little science
is useful to understand both the How and Why of detailing and to be of
real practical use, a subject like automotive detailing requires a great deal
of research, and updating as new products become available. The advent of
materials like detailing clay, micro fibre technologies and finely milled micro
diminishing abrasives, suitable for ceramic nanotechnology paints are examples
of why it’s so important to monitor the industries new products, chemical
technologies and ideas that are constantly being introduced, as are the
techniques for applying them, hence all of the in-depth articles will be
up-dated and revised on a regular basis
Always be willing to learn;
because the more you learn, the more you’ll realize what you don’t know. You
should never stop learning, and your quest for information should be part of
your everyday process. It
is said that knowledge is power, with the caveat that it includes access to a
reliable information sources. I would
like to think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to
detailing and to professional’s alike, as well as industry experts who seek to
advance their knowledge.
I detailed my first vehicle
at the age of fourteen (1958) forty plus years later I started to write
detailing articles to share my experiences. For about fifteen years or so I
started to contribute to various detailing forums answering questions posted by
neophyte’s, enthusiasts and professionals alike.
My mantra has always been Experience
Unshared Knowledge Wasted.
I purchase all the products
I use, so the endorsement is entirely personal and commercially unbiased, the
product recommendation is based on "Does exactly what it says on the tin"
and it suits my detailing goals. The products mentioned have been personally
subjected to extensive laboratory (using state of the art instruments and
methodologies in some of the world's most prestigious labs) as well as field
testing, and using the methodology and tools cited, which may or may not be the
same as those recommended by the manufacturer.
It has been my experience that
they will perform the task more than adequately, hence the personal
recommendation, as this testing is carried out without sponsorship I have no
intention of publishing any test results. Using the methodology and tools cited,
which may or may not be the same as those recommended by the manufacturer.
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
1.
Eye Protection: I would strongly advise the wearing of safety
glasses or visor (prescription eyeglasses are not a substitute) when operating
any machine polisher. OSHA requires employers to ensure the safety of all
employees in the work environment. Eye and face protection must be provided
whenever necessary to protect against chemical, environmental, radiological or
mechanical irritants and hazards.
2.
Hearing Protection; the constant pitch of a
polishing machine could affect your hearing so wearing ear plugs would be wise
to protect you from hearing loss.
3.
Hand Protection; Gloves- with the verity of chemicals a detailer uses on a daily
basis wearing chemical-resistant gloves resist penetration and permeation, and
will provide protection against dermatitis and chemical burns. Gloves can
provide protection, but they must be chosen with care, the proper selection
matched to the hazard is critical as they offer a much needed protective
barrier when handling cleaning chemicals such as wheel cleaners and
multipurpose cleaners.
Nitrile gloves are made of
synthetic latex. They contain no latex proteins and offer excellent resistance
to punctures and tears. Nitrile gloves are three times more puncture resistant
than rubber and can be used to offer superior resistance to many types of
chemicals.
Chemical-resistant gloves resist
penetration and permeation, and cam protect against dermatitis, chemical burns
and corrosion. Nitrile gloves are three times more puncture resistant than
latex rubber and can be used to offer superior resistance to many types of
chemicals. Unlike other latex gloves, Nitrile gloves have low resistance to
friction and are very easy to slide on –
4.
Respiratory Protection (N95): Materials such as
aluminium oxide (Aluminium oxide is on EPA's TRI list if it is a fibrous form)
or silicon carbide (Nuisance particulate-Accumulation in lungs) used in
polishes and compounds, and powdered fillers
Crystalline silica (polishes and
compounds) poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis and
Isocyanate clear coat residue represent a hazard to your lungs and may cause
respiratory distress. Use a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with a
combination filter cartridge should be worn while using them
Consult the current 3M
Respiratory Selection Guide for additional information or call 1-800-243-4630
for 3M technical assistance.
References
1. Correlation between vibration emission and vibration during real
use - Polishers and sanders. Prepared by the Health and Safety Laboratory
Health and Safety Executive 2007
Related Articles
1. Menzerna Diminishing Abrasives - http://togwt1980.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/menzerna-diminishing-abrasive-polishes.html
2. Paint Thickness Gauge (PTG) Primer - http://togwt1980.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/paint-thickness-gauge-ptg-primer.html
3. Foam Pads, Selection and Use
- http://togwt1980.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/foam-pads-selection-and-use.html
4. The Health Hazards of Detailing - http://togwt1980.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/health-hazards-of-detailing.html
5. The Physics of Polishing
- http://togwt1980.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-physics-of-polishing.html
I would like to think that these articles become an
asset to anyone who is new to detailing and to professional’s alike, as well as
industry experts who seek to advance their knowledge.
I hope the above article was
informative. By having some understanding of the ‘What’ and ‘Why’ as well as
the ‘How’ along with a little science to help you understand how the chemicals
we use react, you can achieve the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you
would share this article as it helps other detailers further their knowledge.
Questions and/ or constructive
comments are always appreciated.
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1980) all rights reserved
