AhmedEssam

I wanted to ask for help regarding ways of cleaning my soon expected W205 and save it from swirls and paint messes done during the normal car wash. Car washes tend to do a very lousy job in cleaning the car and don't use the best material cloths nor soaps.

I live in Egypt and the cars here tend to get dirty very quickly and might need a wash on a daily basis to keep clean.

Moreover, we do have Xpel coating here but costs a ridiculous 2,000 $ to get on the full car. Is it worth it?

Any advice would reallllly be appreciated.

jcbutta

You can get all the information you need here:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/

NYC-Style

I wouldn't do the whole car...but I did do the front, mirrors, headlights, and behind the wheels. There is a lot of information out there in regards to how to wash and maintain your car in order to reduce swirl marks. You can research "two bucket" method of washing...good luck and congrats on the car.

AhmedEssam

I am not a fan of doing half the car only as that would show clearly after the car is say 1 year old and all the swirls can be seen very clear on the paint. I would do the whole car or non of it. The thing is that we do not have the mentality of washing our own cars only like 1% in the country do so and the others just go to petrol stations to get it washed or even by the building keeper, which of course always does a lousy job. Anyways would love anymore input on this. Thanks a lot in advance.

Glyn M Ruck

In my experience, application new of long life polymer sealants like Auto Armor drastically reduce clear coat swirls. I do all my cars new & again at 5 years. In SA the price is however reasonable.

In Egypt's dusty/sandy conditions (I have spent a reasonable amount of time there in my global job) you really need to hose down the car very thoroughly or pressure wash it first before touching the paintwork to get the worst of the muck off or micro scratching is likely

Also select a light colour or one of the metallic Silvers like Palladium that do not highlight swirls like the dark colours do.

AhmedEssam

Unfortunately, I ordered the black color for the W205 But I think its one of the best one for the car. We do wash down the dust and all but when water is a problem at certain locations then the car gets the swirls I think. I will take your points and recommendations into consideration and hope all goes well.

NYC-Style

Having owned a black car...if you find yourself where water is a problem...do yourself a favor...just leave it until you can actually get to some water. Better to have a dirty car than one with swirls and scratches. The Xpel does help protect the paint...but it will also scuff/scratch as well...so it does require some care in order to keep it looking good. In any case good luck!!

c4004matic

Black is the most beautiful color but its slavery to keep up white is another pain. I promised myself to never get neither one again.

DBOC205

Check out the stuff from Chemical Guys. Their M-Sealer in is a fantastic product with plenty of reviews to back it up (http://www.chemicalguys.com/M_Seal_P...wac_113_16.htm) .. it'll be the first thing I put on my C Class when I get it. I've used it on my current vehicle and quite honestly hardly anything sticks to that stuff - it's incredible and keeps your car much cleaner. Lasts about a month or two (sometimes longer) but is very easy to apply and maintain.

AhmedEssam

I think I have a lot of great input from you guys, appreciate it...
One last thing, does anyone here have any recommendations how to maintain the cleanness of the center black glossy console and at the same time save it from wipe scratches and all. I have a bad experience from my previous Peugeot 508 which also had a relatively glossy center piece and that didn't hold up very well from towel scratches. Is there anything i can apply on it like Xpel to protect?

Glyn M Ruck

Once again apply long life polymer sealant. Brush dust off with a static duster. Wipe with a damp Chamois leather ~ Synthetic OK.

AhmedEssam

Glyn M Ruck thanks for your continuous support and prompt assistance.
Any video you think explains and describes what you recommended up there?
I am a real dummy when it comes to this, I think a lot of people are the same due to the culture. I am planning of purchasing a Karcher high pressure washer too and getting all the needed kit for doing my car myself. Need loads of education. Thanks...

Glyn M Ruck

I don't know of a video that covers my methods. There are plenty of detailing videos out there.

The Karcher is a fine idea.

http://www.autoarmor.co.za/paint-interior-protection - see paint shield.

Static Dusters.

https://www.google.com/search?q=stat...utf-8&oe=utf-8

Chamois Leathers

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/cle...leather--large

http://www.shieldchem.co.za/index.ph...mois-a-sponges

Glyn M Ruck

I don't know of a video that covers my methods. There are plenty of detailing videos out there.

The Karcher is a fine idea.

http://www.autoarmor.co.za/paint-interior-protection - see paint shield.

Static Dusters.

https://www.google.com/search?q=stat...utf-8&oe=utf-8

Chamois Leathers

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/cle...leather--large

http://www.shieldchem.co.za/index.ph...mois-a-sponges

coladin

I've had black cars and yes, beautiful when clean but definitely more time consuming to keep up appearances. My 2011 C63 was Obsidian Black and while living in a construction zone of new housing, the dust most likely mimics what you live in! If you can garage it, I would recommend, on top of seasonal high quality wax jobs, I would always after garaging the car pull out my California Duster to wipe off the dust. This prolonged the washing cycle for me significantly.