Menzerna FMJ Updates?

**stilez** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½01:16 PM

Well, I had my first run in with Menzerna polishes and absolutely love them. I feel like they are in a league of their own.

But anyways, I will be stripping down my Poorboy`s layers and doing a Menzerna job very soon. I will also be doing a bunch of wetsanding. So I will follow up with Powergloss, IP, then FP.

Before FMJ, should I do something like AIO?

Also, the main topic of this thread, how is FMJ holding up?

Please list how you applied it, with or without a prep (AIO, etc), what kind of weather it sees, how often it is washed, and how it still looks/beads...Pics would be great as well.

Thanks in advance.

**Dave N** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½01:31 PM

I did a side-by-side comparison of FMJ and 4-star UPP on my hood (sorry, no pics). I prepped with #80 and an orange power pad, then taped off half the hood and applied FMJ by hand, moved the tape over, and applied UPP by hand.

To be honest I really couldn`t tell any difference by looking. The UPP side was noticeably slicker though. Both are very easy to work with. I went ahead of put one coat of FMJ on the rest of my truck (after #80), and it held up fine for 2 months or so with good beading. All this time, the beading/sheeting was identical on both sides of the hood. My truck sits out at night, is in an open parking garage during the day, and is driven 95 miles per day total commute so you can see it takes some punishment.

I really can`t compare the look of FMJ to anything else, because this is a new truck and FMJ is the first thing I`ve used on it. I wasn`t bowled over with it`s looks, but it`s probably comparable to UPP.

A couple of weekends ago I put some NXT over everything on a whim, so my FMJ test is over. Zaino is next, for winter.

**stilez** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½05:05 PM

Dave N: Thanks for the nice little report

**chevyguy28** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½06:57 PM

I really hope FMJ isn`t close to the same thing as UPP...

Blackfire, UPP, and Wolfgang scenario. FMJ is supposed to have longer durability, but the problem is that these tests take a long time to complete. I suppose if FMJ can make it past three months, I`ll be satisfied.

**Bill D** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½07:12 PM

I`m taking these reviews and impressions to mean that Zaino and Klasse don`t have to worry about being bumped by FMJ :nixweiss

**l33** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½07:18 PM

I`ve had it on a little over 4 months, before i stripped it down. It didn`t show any signs of letting up, still was bedding very well, I just polished it to remove some marring. Unfortunately my car is parked on the side of the road.

Cars drive by, kick up dust and whatever else. Recently in Rockland County NY (45min~1hr N from LI) Its been raining or hot. Last week has been nice. The car goes 30 miles over the TZ bridge every week day.

I use FPII or FTG before FMJ, it goes on with absolute easy on a just prep`d car. I like to apply by hand, i get a more even application, PC tends to lay to thick in certain areas.

I wash it weekly at the coin-op, been using 1z perls with it and it does return some slickness.

This stuff beads like crazy. This is about the 3 month mark -

**l33** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½07:24 PM

Originally posted by Bill D

I`m taking these reviews and impressions to mean that Zaino and Klasse don`t have to worry about being bumped by FMJ :nixweiss

I`ve heard both sides on these products as well. Really haven`t seen a review by someone who has tried it and not liked it. Really doesn`t seem like too many people have used it, just some discussion about it. .:nixweiss

The one above put NXT over which probably stripped most of it. The first time you use it i would definitly suggest a polish (FP or FPII)

**NavindraLR** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½07:31 PM

Originally posted by Bill D

I`m taking these reviews and impressions to mean that Zaino and Klasse don`t have to worry about being bumped by FMJ :nixweiss

after using fmj, i would say it is 100% easier to use than klasse... not being as tempermental, or smearing... also, i think the shine is better, but i have to do a side my side comparison to confirm... i absolutely love menzerna, so i guess i would be kinda biased towards it anyways. but it has been lasting forever (3 months and still going) on the family daily beater. and believe me, this car sees everything... 150000 miles on it...

not to go off topic but how would u compare 1z to menzerna (polishes)? u can send a pm... (open to anyone, gsr? billd?)

**chevyguy28** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½08:41 PM

Just used the FPII. Easily my new reference polish and such a breeze compared to 3M FI-II Finish polish that I used to remove some swirls/scratches beforehand. The stuff just keeps taking passes and passes without drying up. Then it wipes off in a breeze.

After seeing how it worked, I had no desire to apply AIO over it before FMJ and have another panel tested. In fact, the only reason to apply AIO now is to either increase gloss or add a little protection. The surface was fresh as can be.

I might note that I have been frustrated as of late with my german black paint, but Menzerna seems to be designed for it.

Tried not to be too enthuisiastic, but this was a breath of fresh air. Now if FMJ lives up to the hype, I`ll really be happy.

**stilez** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½08:44 PM

Thanks for the updates

I may or may not use it for winter.

I`ll probably hit the Zaino theme for then, but we will see

**Deanski** · 08-31-2004,ï¿½09:37 PM

I might note that I have been frustrated as of late with my german black paint, but Menzerna seems to be designed for it.

Menzerna polishes were designed along with MB and other Tier1 OEM Mfgs. MB uses it not only on that production line, but the Maybach as well. Menzerna is and always has been the world leader in abrasives used in polishes (vehicle, jewelry, plastics etc) and several polishes have their abrasives in them, just which grade is the key. They kept their best for themselves!

If used correctly, FP or Micro Polish will bring a black finish to a mirror. It takes time and correct application. FP/FPII (Micro Polish) was designed for spot polishing, not the entire vehicle. It was when it found it`s way here in several body shops when someone ran out of their 3M. They never went back to 3M after that!

They developed polishes for the harder clearcoats and even these polishes rate a very high gloss level. Just more Aluminum Oxide in them than normal, and type of abrasive makes it also more expensive.

After doing one of the first V12 SL600 that arrived with that hard clear that also had small marks on it, it came out like a rolling mirror! Dealership management was just stunned as to the result and shine. I told him I`ve yet to apply the sealer and Souveran.

I`ve yet to try FMJ as I`m still happy with EX-P and Natty`s. Just can`t beat the price and results for so little money!

Oh yea, Santa Deanski`s elves are busy getting some Menzerna out. Good thing they remembered to order lots of 8oz squeeze bottles! Now if they can only hold the damn thing steady long enough so more gets in the bottle than elsewhere! Gotta cut their coffee intake.

Remember to VOTE on election day!

Lord of the Right Wing

Regards,

Deanski

**chevyguy28** · 09-01-2004,ï¿½06:17 PM

Hi Guys,

I need to make an amendment to my previous statement, where I said that I had no desire to apply AIO after FPII.

This was true in terms of the conditon of the paint, however FMJ without AIO under it feels slightly less slick. Not sure if the final look is changed a lot of not, but the improvement is worth applying AIO and it might provide some more protection.

Do you guys think AIO provides a significant amount of protection? I wonder if, in order to get protection, you need to let it cure for 24 hours to let the solvents evaporate or something like that. It`s probably minimal protection.