Protection from the sun and other stuff! HELP!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
Protection from the sun and other stuff! HELP!
Today I washed my car for the first time after a week of ownership. The car was slowly becoming gray (it started as Arctic White), and especially with the bird poo on my pano roof from two days ago, I was anxious for some alone time with the car.
After the wash it looked so pretty I had to choke down tears. It took a little over 2 hours, inside and out, and I consider it a Sunday afternoon very well spent.
The rims especially came back alive without all that brake dust. 
All I have to do now is vacuum the inside carpeting.
But the problem remains: I not only park in an outside parking lot at work but also park outdoors at home. I have no garage.
What can I do to somehow lessen the inevitable fading and paint damage from the constant exposure to the sun?
I also have an added bonus of living on a street lined with trees of all types.
They spray pollen and seeds and all kinds of bs all over the car. as;dlfkja;sldkjf;alskjd;lfkajsd;ljf;alskdjf;lasjd; lfkja;sldjf;alskdjf;!!!!!!!! Wow. The frustration kills me every day as I look at the growing buildup. What to do? Any tips? 
I promise to move to a place with a proper garage ASAP. 
After the wash it looked so pretty I had to choke down tears. It took a little over 2 hours, inside and out, and I consider it a Sunday afternoon very well spent.
The rims especially came back alive without all that brake dust. All I have to do now is vacuum the inside carpeting. But the problem remains: I not only park in an outside parking lot at work but also park outdoors at home. I have no garage.
What can I do to somehow lessen the inevitable fading and paint damage from the constant exposure to the sun?I also have an added bonus of living on a street lined with trees of all types.
They spray pollen and seeds and all kinds of bs all over the car. as;dlfkja;sldkjf;alskjd;lfkajsd;ljf;alskdjf;lasjd; lfkja;sldjf;alskdjf;!!!!!!!! Wow. The frustration kills me every day as I look at the growing buildup. What to do? Any tips? I promise to move to a place with a proper garage ASAP.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 3
From: Ohio
X3 and 2012 C coming soon
You'll need clay bar to remove the tree sap and pollen and other contamininants. I would get some sun shades (those silver screens that go in the windows) to keep the UV light from fading the interior.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 0
From: N. California
2008 Arctic White C300 Sport 6M
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Clay bars are abrasive and you wouldn't want them on brand new paint that hasn't been really contaminated yet. I would recommend a good paint sealant (Wolfgang or Klasse) at least twice a year and regular waxing, every 2 months or so. Contaminants have to be removed as soon as possible and car has to be washed regularly with a good car shampoo.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: New York
'08C300 White w P2,MM,Pano
How long is a safe/good amount of time after getting your car to start:
1)waxing the exterior?
2)Conditioning the leather and dash?
3)what do you condition MB text and the dash with?
1)waxing the exterior?
2)Conditioning the leather and dash?
3)what do you condition MB text and the dash with?
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
2. Right away.
3. I never condition MBtex or dashboard, just wipe it clean with a distilled water dampened cloth.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
2008 c350
Today I washed my car for the first time after a week of ownership. The car was slowly becoming gray (it started as Arctic White), and especially with the bird poo on my pano roof from two days ago, I was anxious for some alone time with the car.
After the wash it looked so pretty I had to choke down tears. It took a little over 2 hours, inside and out, and I consider it a Sunday afternoon very well spent. The rims especially came back alive without all that brake dust. All I have to do now is vacuum the inside carpeting.
But the problem remains: I not only park in an outside parking lot at work but also park outdoors at home. I have no garage. What can I do to somehow lessen the inevitable fading and paint damage from the constant exposure to the sun?
I also have an added bonus of living on a street lined with trees of all types. They spray pollen and seeds and all kinds of bs all over the car. as;dlfkja;sldkjf;alskjd;lfkajsd;ljf;alskdjf;lasjd; lfkja;sldjf;alskdjf;!!!!!!!! Wow. The frustration kills me every day as I look at the growing buildup. What to do? Any tips? I promise to move to a place with a proper garage ASAP.
After the wash it looked so pretty I had to choke down tears. It took a little over 2 hours, inside and out, and I consider it a Sunday afternoon very well spent.
The rims especially came back alive without all that brake dust. All I have to do now is vacuum the inside carpeting. But the problem remains: I not only park in an outside parking lot at work but also park outdoors at home. I have no garage.
What can I do to somehow lessen the inevitable fading and paint damage from the constant exposure to the sun?I also have an added bonus of living on a street lined with trees of all types.
They spray pollen and seeds and all kinds of bs all over the car. as;dlfkja;sldkjf;alskjd;lfkajsd;ljf;alskdjf;lasjd; lfkja;sldjf;alskdjf;!!!!!!!! Wow. The frustration kills me every day as I look at the growing buildup. What to do? Any tips? I promise to move to a place with a proper garage ASAP. Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Clay bars
<<Clay bars are abrasive and you wouldn't want them on brand new paint that hasn't been really contaminated yet.>>
Baloney. Clay bars are not abrasive. There comes a time when they have picked up so much crap that they must be replaced.
Baloney. Clay bars are not abrasive. There comes a time when they have picked up so much crap that they must be replaced.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Why do you have to use a lubricant with clay bars then?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Polish
<<It should be polish, then wax/seal, right? >>
No. Polish to remove swirls if needed. Then paint sealant followed by wax.
My car has been washed about sixty times since mid-October and so far no swirls. It's beginning to pick up something on the lower parts of the doors so I will be claying those areas soon.
It has not been polished so far and now I have been told by a detailer that nano-particle clear coats do require different polishes than I had been using on my C320 but I don't know the brand names as yet.
Out here in the West, we like Griot's Garage products. Can be a bit pricey, but high quality.
>>No. Polish to remove swirls if needed. Then paint sealant followed by wax.
My car has been washed about sixty times since mid-October and so far no swirls. It's beginning to pick up something on the lower parts of the doors so I will be claying those areas soon.
It has not been polished so far and now I have been told by a detailer that nano-particle clear coats do require different polishes than I had been using on my C320 but I don't know the brand names as yet.
Out here in the West, we like Griot's Garage products. Can be a bit pricey, but high quality.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 6
From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Lubricant
<<Why do you have to use a lubricant with clay bars then?>>
Because it sticks to the surface (and your hands) otherwise. All of them require a lubricant. I use Griot's and lubricate with their Speed Shine. I spray the paint and my hand with it and then just glide it back and forth and all the surface schmutz is picked up. Tree sap, bits of road tar, stuff like that. Ends up smooth as glass.
The whole idea is to take the real work out of keeping the car looking good and eventually, after trying all kinds of potions and lotions, you find something that you don't dread using.
Because it sticks to the surface (and your hands) otherwise. All of them require a lubricant. I use Griot's and lubricate with their Speed Shine. I spray the paint and my hand with it and then just glide it back and forth and all the surface schmutz is picked up. Tree sap, bits of road tar, stuff like that. Ends up smooth as glass.
The whole idea is to take the real work out of keeping the car looking good and eventually, after trying all kinds of potions and lotions, you find something that you don't dread using.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
<<Why do you have to use a lubricant with clay bars then?>>
Because it sticks to the surface (and your hands) otherwise. All of them require a lubricant. I use Griot's and lubricate with their Speed Shine. I spray the paint and my hand with it and then just glide it back and forth and all the surface schmutz is picked up. Tree sap, bits of road tar, stuff like that. Ends up smooth as glass.
The whole idea is to take the real work out of keeping the car looking good and eventually, after trying all kinds of potions and lotions, you find something that you don't dread using.
Because it sticks to the surface (and your hands) otherwise. All of them require a lubricant. I use Griot's and lubricate with their Speed Shine. I spray the paint and my hand with it and then just glide it back and forth and all the surface schmutz is picked up. Tree sap, bits of road tar, stuff like that. Ends up smooth as glass.
The whole idea is to take the real work out of keeping the car looking good and eventually, after trying all kinds of potions and lotions, you find something that you don't dread using.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: nyc
528i, GLK
clay works differently... Its not abrasive and I'm not sure what you mean by "abrasive by definition" now if you improperly used your claybar (dropped, not folding, overused), that's different story.
google clay bar? Have you actually used one?
edit: oh as for whether to clay a new car, it really depends on your paint surface condition. Check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI
and +1 for polishing/waxing. new car paint curing rule is a thing of the past.
Last edited by webada; Mar 11, 2008 at 02:54 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: East Bay, CA
MB w204 C300 Sport, Audi B7 A4 2.0TQ, Porsche Cayman 981
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: nyc
528i, GLK
Unlike some people, I don't argue when my proof is "because I say so" or "because I used one and I say so." I also don't contradict myself in the same sentence. How can you apply anything to any surface without friction?! May be you meant pressure? What chemical composition? It's the PHYSICAL attributes that decide if a product is abrasive or not. What is a clay bar made of and what are the physical properties of the ingredients? A clay bar is a mixture of fine clay (minerals) and OTHER ADDED ABRASIVES. Do you have any idea what you're talking about?
wow, i think we have a genius here.
edit: oh and by the way, I don't think you mean pressure, force is the porper term here. also, incase you didn't know, its the chemical composition that makes the physical attributes....
Last edited by webada; Mar 11, 2008 at 04:27 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Moron.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: nyc
528i, GLK
wow, you are really a "big picture" type of guy....
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,414
Likes: 6
From: West Michigan
2007 E63
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area, USA
08 C300 Sport
<<It should be polish, then wax/seal, right? >>
It has not been polished so far and now I have been told by a detailer that nano-particle clear coats do require different polishes than I had been using on my C320 but I don't know the brand names as yet.
Out here in the West, we like Griot's Garage products. Can be a bit pricey, but high quality.
>>It has not been polished so far and now I have been told by a detailer that nano-particle clear coats do require different polishes than I had been using on my C320 but I don't know the brand names as yet.
Out here in the West, we like Griot's Garage products. Can be a bit pricey, but high quality.
