Time to MOP the cab

Post Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:39 pm

Going to tackle mopping the cab tonight,well at least making a start, pictures comming later. Never tried it before but I only paid 1500 for the car so why not. Fingers crossed!

Post Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:55 pm

What products and machine are you using ?

Post Sun Feb 06, 2011 7:19 pm

I mopped my e30 last summer, first time I've used one and its suprisingly easy to do, had great results aswel. Aslong as you keep it moving so you dont burn the paint, if possible use wax, glaze or sealant afterwards to keep it looking fresh.

Heres how my bonnet turned out, looked better in the flesh as the sun went in after I mopped it lol!

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ght=mopped

Post Sun Feb 06, 2011 9:47 pm

The machine and products are a four stage cut then sealent by a company called menzerna.

Slow progress just done half the car with the first compond and it took about 2.5 hours.

Before pics below, doesn't come out too well as the garage is dark and not too much room.

Used a spray bottle full of water and kept it wet whilst polishing. Your right doesn't seem to hard and so far the results are good. Better than paying £300 to get a valeter to do it. Nice job on yours by the way.

It has removed the poor finish on some previous touch up paint on the door really well, could'nt even tell it has been painted so hoping all will look great in about a fortnight by the time I finish it.

Before Pics below

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Post Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:21 pm

Good polishes menzerna, you dont need water with menz and you mean three stage not four, good luck with it any way.

Post Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:54 pm

There's 4 bottles, 3 that have cutting grades then 1 sealant. First step finished tonight hard work but so far the results are worth it. Once it's finished I'll get it off the axel stands and into the sunshine to get better pics.

Post Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:43 pm

I know it,s hard work i detail for living, my mate has just got a 325ix, we finished machine polishing that
about a hour ago finished off with collinite 915 looks pukka, back on track if you are going to go thru every stage be careful not to take to much paint off, what color is your car?

Post Tue Feb 08, 2011 4:27 pm

Don't use water with Menzerna, it's oils are there to lubricate it, all I do is a quick spritz on a new pad just to prime it.

Post Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:01 pm

powelly wrote:Don't use water with Menzerna, it's oils are there to lubricate it, all I do is a quick spritz on a new pad just to prime it.

+ 1 as most know oil and water does not mix so will slow down the polishing process.

Post Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:21 pm

Also, sorry to be a pedantic, but why do people insist on using the term "mop". I use a mop to clean the kitchen floor, I wouldn't dream of dragging one all over my car, I much prefer to use rotary polisher.

Post Wed Feb 09, 2011 8:51 am

For home use i would recomend a DA something like the Kestrel DAS 6, Chemical Guys Wet Mirror Finish Glaze and Pete's '53 paste wax ontop, gives a good and durable finish.

If you have the budget, stick with Wet Mirror Fininsh Glaze but go down the Zymol route ontop of that.

Meguars #83 is a good polish for light cutting, also recommend hex logic pads for the DA too,

Post Wed Feb 09, 2011 12:47 pm

The car is royal blue metalic, my brother checked it with a paint guage before I started and can't remember the values but he said there was plenty there, so far so good but has taken approx 10 hours for the first two coats.

I have been using the water just to damp things up so I don't burn the paint. So many people have conflicting advice on whether to or not. Your right progress does seem slower but as the car is SORN till the weathers better and I've finished the work on it I don't really mind.

Some more pics hopefully next week when finished and if the sun comes out.

Post Fri Feb 11, 2011 7:51 am

Rtaylor2208 wrote:The car is royal blue metalic, my brother checked it with a paint guage before I started and can't remember the values but he said there was plenty there, so far so good but has taken approx 10 hours for the first two coats.

I have been using the water just to damp things up so I don't burn the paint. So many people have conflicting advice on whether to or not. Your right progress does seem slower but as the car is SORN till the weathers better and I've finished the work on it I don't really mind.

Some more pics hopefully next week when finished and if the sun comes out.

If you are using menzerna at the correct speeds you won't burn the paint, it's actually quite hard to burn paint, there is nothing conflicting about it, Menzerna and water are not meant to be used together, it's oil based, once the residue has gone clear the polish is worked so you stop polishing and move on to the next bit, you only risk over heating if you polish for to long and at to high a speed.