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I decided to try the extra fine menzerna compound from SM and found that it seemed to leave a worse surface than the regular fine polish. I bought a a pair of brand new buffs and did my usual prep sanding and buffed with medium, then fine and got as good a finish as I've ever gotten. Then I put on the new wheel, loaded it up with compound and proceeded to cloud up the finish on this guitar. The bar of compound seems to be very hard so I was thinking that maybe it was old or something. I went back to the regular fine wheel and rebuffed and the guitar looks great. I was just hoping to ad a little more sparkle but it didn't happen. Has anyone else used the extra fine menzerna compound and what were your results.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Is it possible that it was a mislabel? I know the compounds follow a colour gradient (they either get darker or lighter as they get finer...I can't remember which but you'll be able to tell by looking at the fine and medium ones side by side). If the extra fine doesn't follow the pattern then it might not really be extra fine?

If it follows the trend (ie: it's definitely the right stuff) then I've got no good guess.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Yes, I had the same experience. I never called Menzerna to check it out but I assume it's a naming problem. A numeric grading would sure be better. Almost as bad as the 3M sanding sponges (is micro-fine finer than ultra-fine?).

I think Bob is right on though. The extra fine is darker than the fine.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

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I am with Tony here . I use the 2 mezzerna's then use 3m products with one exception. I still like the Maquires swirl remover. Even on the buffer. The one thing I did differently on my buffer is that I have a 16 inch wheel and a 12 inch. This allows me 2 speeds without playing with the machine.
Thanks for passing on the info about the extra fine , I was thinking about it but we all have our techniques on finish and buffing and it takes a lot to get me to change. Once I find a good technique I hate to change.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Is 3M imperial hand glaze something similar to Meguiar’s #7 Show Car Glaze? I was thinking about buying the #7 stuff and try it on my french polish. It is recommended by the Milburns.

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Build log

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Menzerna bars are easy to identify. The higher the number on the little white Menzerna label the coarser the grit. 113 is the coarsest I use, followed by 18 then 16 and finally Menzerna liquid intense polish.

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jw ( o)===:::

I use the medium and fine after sanding to P2000. I never liked the coarse and had a really hard time removing scratches from the coarse out with fine. I too had trouble comparing grits with companies and vendors using different names, so a year ago Chris sent me this to correspond LMI's numbers with Menzernas.


LMI Menzerna
FMEZF 480W
FMEZW 16
FMEZVF ATOL16
FMEZP 18
FMEZM 11362W

Here is a link to a chart that Menzerna publishes for their compounds

http://www.menzerna.de/fileadmin/be_user/Dokumente/E_Festpaste_DB_07.pdf

I also spoke with the regional sales rep for Menzerna last year and he recommended #18 (medium) and #16 (fine), which is what I use. I believe he said that this what most of the larger companies are using. I've tried using various polishes after buffing with #16 on a domet flannel buff, but couldn't see any improvement. Hope this information is useful.

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Randy Muth
RS Muth Guitars Website
RS Muth Guitars Blog
Facebook Fan Page

I've come to realize that there is a point of diminishing returns on buffing and that the Menzerna extra-fine is past that point.
Seems like medium and fine will yield a beautiful mirror finish on nitro at least. Anything beyond that just magnifies any imperfections and the grain lines as the lacquer continues to cure. (forever)
I would rather sand to a finer grit such as P2500 and not have to be so aggressive with the buffing.
Many ways to do it, this is just what I've settled on.

Nelson

Edit: I see, after reading Randy's post above, that I was basically repeating what he had already said.

I have single buffing wheels but the wheels I am using are the 1 1/4 inch arbors. They are thicker , about 2 inch wide.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it