C63 coupe Spring Detail... picture intensive
#1
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C63 coupe Spring Detail... picture intensive
I will start off with the disclaimer that I'm not a pro detailer nor am I a pro photographer .
For those into detailing, I thought I would share details on my Spring detail. I got the car in December and only applied a sealant to get me through winter (Menzerna Powerlock). Winter here is tough on cars so mine needed some real TLC!
Process:
- Foamed and washed car with Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II
- Applied P21S total auto wash as needed to deal with real dirt/tar
- Sprayed the car with Iron X and agitated
- Clayed the car... boy did it need it.
- Rewashed
- Polished with my Griot's random orbital (Menzerna Power Finish/Orange LC pad followed by a white pad)
- CarPro Eraser to clean up
- 2 coats of CQuartz
I initially was using CarPro Fixer Polish but found that it did not cut as well as the Menzerna. I was actually fairly disappointed. Menzerna has never let me down!!
Total time was about 14 hours. I'm tired today but I'm swirl free for summer!!
A few before pictures... it wasn't in too bad of shape but definitely needed work
After shots in my driveway...
My version of a NON professional photoshoot...
For those into detailing, I thought I would share details on my Spring detail. I got the car in December and only applied a sealant to get me through winter (Menzerna Powerlock). Winter here is tough on cars so mine needed some real TLC!
Process:
- Foamed and washed car with Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II
- Applied P21S total auto wash as needed to deal with real dirt/tar
- Sprayed the car with Iron X and agitated
- Clayed the car... boy did it need it.
- Rewashed
- Polished with my Griot's random orbital (Menzerna Power Finish/Orange LC pad followed by a white pad)
- CarPro Eraser to clean up
- 2 coats of CQuartz
I initially was using CarPro Fixer Polish but found that it did not cut as well as the Menzerna. I was actually fairly disappointed. Menzerna has never let me down!!
Total time was about 14 hours. I'm tired today but I'm swirl free for summer!!
A few before pictures... it wasn't in too bad of shape but definitely needed work
After shots in my driveway...
My version of a NON professional photoshoot...
Last edited by gthal; 05-13-2012 at 11:44 AM.
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2012 C63 Sedan, P31, Magnetite Black
Fantastic! Amazing looking machine. Black cars always look amazing after good detail work.
Only thing else you could do is go over the entire car with ultrafine sandpaper like meguiars unigrit. Sounds horrible but I went through this process with the only black car I ever owned and it removes the orange peel in the clear coat from the factory. The outcome was incredible even when parked at a car club gathering next to the same exact car that was professionally detailed mine looked completely different in full sunlight. I would probably only take this extra step again with a black car.
Only thing else you could do is go over the entire car with ultrafine sandpaper like meguiars unigrit. Sounds horrible but I went through this process with the only black car I ever owned and it removes the orange peel in the clear coat from the factory. The outcome was incredible even when parked at a car club gathering next to the same exact car that was professionally detailed mine looked completely different in full sunlight. I would probably only take this extra step again with a black car.
#6
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Fantastic! Amazing looking machine. Black cars always look amazing after good detail work.
Only thing else you could do is go over the entire car with ultrafine sandpaper like meguiars unigrit. Sounds horrible but I went through this process with the only black car I ever owned and it removes the orange peel in the clear coat from the factory. The outcome was incredible even when parked at a car club gathering next to the same exact car that was professionally detailed mine looked completely different in full sunlight. I would probably only take this extra step again with a black car.
Only thing else you could do is go over the entire car with ultrafine sandpaper like meguiars unigrit. Sounds horrible but I went through this process with the only black car I ever owned and it removes the orange peel in the clear coat from the factory. The outcome was incredible even when parked at a car club gathering next to the same exact car that was professionally detailed mine looked completely different in full sunlight. I would probably only take this extra step again with a black car.
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The PSS are amazing. There is no possible way to go wrong with them IMO. The very best high performance tire (all around) available today.
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#11
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Your car is so shiny, I needed sunglasses to look at your pics.. j/k lol! Nothing beats a freshly waxed black car... good job bro!!
Now, move on to bigger things... drop & spacers! *drool*
Now, move on to bigger things... drop & spacers! *drool*
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(a)'12 C63 P/P, LSD, 19" m/spoke,comfort pack. (b)Astra SRI.
gthal....great post & pictures....I think you're a bit more fanatical than me.....but I do like to keep my car as good as I can.
I have the same wheels & brakes as you......so, how do you clean them....what do you put on the calipers, & also around the wheel hub...pretty difficult to get to those areas....so how did you do it?
Cheers, Pickles.
I have the same wheels & brakes as you......so, how do you clean them....what do you put on the calipers, & also around the wheel hub...pretty difficult to get to those areas....so how did you do it?
Cheers, Pickles.
#14
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gthal....great post & pictures....I think you're a bit more fanatical than me.....but I do like to keep my car as good as I can.
I have the same wheels & brakes as you......so, how do you clean them....what do you put on the calipers, & also around the wheel hub...pretty difficult to get to those areas....so how did you do it?
Cheers, Pickles.
I have the same wheels & brakes as you......so, how do you clean them....what do you put on the calipers, & also around the wheel hub...pretty difficult to get to those areas....so how did you do it?
Cheers, Pickles.
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(a)'12 C63 P/P, LSD, 19" m/spoke,comfort pack. (b)Astra SRI.
I actually only do the calipers twice a year when I change wheels between summer and winter. When I take the winter wheels off, I clean the hub, calipers and wheel wells. I use either CQuartz or Wolf's wheel sealant on the calipers. The rest of the season all it takes is a spray from the pressure washer to keep things reasonably clean.
Cheers, Pickles.
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#19
Just don't get him used to it! You might end up having to shell out more than you would spend on yourself... Haha
And on a side note, any mods planned?
Also I just have to state that the new headlights flow very nicely, as shown by the 2nd last picture.... I might have to trade up... getting me jealous seeing them..
And on a side note, any mods planned?
Also I just have to state that the new headlights flow very nicely, as shown by the 2nd last picture.... I might have to trade up... getting me jealous seeing them..
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SLS Irridium silver,2014 GL350 BT Irridium, 2015 White Dodge RAM Hemi Quad
Nice clean up, 14hrs??? Yikes, that is one hell of a commitment and it shows!! Car looks amazing, sounds like you are lusting after this car, and so does your son, he will be passionate of cars like my 4 1/2yr old....we created little car monsters!