First time I have washed the car.... properly
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From: New Zealand
First time I have washed the car.... properly
Just thought I would post some pics. I have never known how to properly wash a car or even knew there was a proper way to do it. I have been reading autogeek and the show/shine part of the forum. I now have multiple buckets, wash mits, foam pads, microfibre cloths, several bottles of stuff and and a whole pile of crap I did not know existed.
I used meguires wash and wax for the wheels. I will use it for the whole car next time but for the first time I wanted to use something stronger to get all the crud including any old wax off. Then meguires bug and tar remover. Then mothers 1, 2, 3 system with Carnauba wax. The meguires tyre shine. I think it came out quite well for my first attempt ever.... actually my second, I used the mr2 as a test subject. If you place something on the trunk lid it will slide off.
I used meguires wash and wax for the wheels. I will use it for the whole car next time but for the first time I wanted to use something stronger to get all the crud including any old wax off. Then meguires bug and tar remover. Then mothers 1, 2, 3 system with Carnauba wax. The meguires tyre shine. I think it came out quite well for my first attempt ever.... actually my second, I used the mr2 as a test subject. If you place something on the trunk lid it will slide off.
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From: I liva at da land down under
Porsche 2004 911
Looks very clean.. Nice mate, exactly the same as mine with the plm and flat AMG badge on the hood (except mine is debadged on side markings). Just a hell of a lot cleaner... I am inspired.
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From: New Zealand
Its a 94 JDM turbo. Its nice, I have had it 2 years. Has been a great car but I am selling it since I have bought the C32. I also have a very modified celica gt4 which I will hang on to.
Thanks. I am not pretending it will stay like this but if I can do it every 4-6 months it should protect the paint and make washing it in between waxing a whole lot easier. The finish is now silky smooth which apparently makes it much more difficult for grime, bugs, tar etc to stick.
The hardest part was getting it clean. It has to be spotless before doing the prep, sealing and wax layers. Getting all the tar spots and bugs off was difficult. Petrol is great for getting rid of tar and considering people spill it all over their paint when the fill up, it can't be too bad for it.
The hardest part was getting it clean. It has to be spotless before doing the prep, sealing and wax layers. Getting all the tar spots and bugs off was difficult. Petrol is great for getting rid of tar and considering people spill it all over their paint when the fill up, it can't be too bad for it.
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From: Wappingers Falls NY
1996 S420 2006 C55AMG 2002Mustang GT
i am a detailing fanatic Heidi gets washed every week, interior redone every week the works. and twice a month usually i strip and rewax. its painful but she is my passion
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C63 AMG, P30
What products do you use to correct the paint?
Sealants and waxes?
Also, what do you use for the seats?
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From: New Zealand
That is some dedication. I find it hard to just clean the brake dust from the wheels once per month. Do you have all the mechanical buffing equipment? that would make it a lot quicker.
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
I do have a griots garage dual action polisher for paint correction and applying glaze.
Here's a tip for you OP. If you have a waxed car, you won't want to be using Meg's Wash and Wax because it has fine cleaners in it which will dull down or strip the wax. You are going to want to use a pure car shampoo such as Griots Garage Shampoo. With this, you will see much more durability with your wax or sealant. Also, carnauba wax is among the most non durable waxes out there. High shine, but it will last only a few weeks if that. For real durability, look for a sealant called "Klasse Sealant Glaze". It is one of the best sealants on the market out there and will not break your wallet.
Here's a tip for you OP. If you have a waxed car, you won't want to be using Meg's Wash and Wax because it has fine cleaners in it which will dull down or strip the wax. You are going to want to use a pure car shampoo such as Griots Garage Shampoo. With this, you will see much more durability with your wax or sealant. Also, carnauba wax is among the most non durable waxes out there. High shine, but it will last only a few weeks if that. For real durability, look for a sealant called "Klasse Sealant Glaze". It is one of the best sealants on the market out there and will not break your wallet.
Last edited by AMG3.2; Jan 16, 2012 at 09:15 AM.
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From: Wappingers Falls NY
1996 S420 2006 C55AMG 2002Mustang GT
AMG 3.2 to answer your q's. i usually clay bar and its got just about all the imperfections out. the little scratches and what else stil in my paint i think is too deep for my own skill level so eventually im probably gonna take her in a shop to get repainted. as for waxes im a caranuba man and usually mothers or maguires. mothers sells a prewax stripper to get any old wax off i use that from time to time. in between waxes instant detailer does a good job for me in bringing the shine back out. now for the leather i think its maguires gold class or something leather cleaner and conditioner. i do that to all the leather atleast twice a month and it does a great job for me in keeping it clean and healthy and not cracked out. i put it on witha microfiber and then let it soak a bit then kinda buff it away and work it into the leather. any tips or tricks you have please do share cause im all about finding ways to keep my girl in tip top condition. the shots of your car are flawless what do you use? for the most part for me personally as long as i got a coat of wax on my paint hasnt gotten disturbed to much inbetween the clay barrings. i washed the car yesterday when it was in the 20's and it was a pain cause it was freezing before i could dry it all haha that was a challenge. but i got the wax on and shes happy for the time being. my next claybar session is the first 60/70 weekend in NY that comes haha.
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C55 AMG, E55 AMG
Welcome to the wonderful world of auto detailing!
Do you just detail by hand or use a machine polisher? I have been detailing cars by hand for the longest time. It was a tedious process, but manageable when working with Japanese paint. Then I encountered MB's ceramic nano clear coat. It took forever just to get swirl marks out even with the supposedly aggressive Meg Ultimate Compound (by hand).
So because of this, I decided to give machine polishers a try (Porter Cable 7424XP to be specific) in tandem with Menzerna polishes. It was one the best moves I made in my life and I just wish that I should have done it sooner!
Menzerna products works so well with MB paint. The Super Intensive Polish and Super Finish corrects the paint in no time and their Power Lock Polymer Sealant is my all time favorite. It just makes the finish so slick that insects couldn't even stand on it, they slide right off! LOL! Just search Menzerna and Mercedes nano paint and you'll see what I mean.
Do you just detail by hand or use a machine polisher? I have been detailing cars by hand for the longest time. It was a tedious process, but manageable when working with Japanese paint. Then I encountered MB's ceramic nano clear coat. It took forever just to get swirl marks out even with the supposedly aggressive Meg Ultimate Compound (by hand).
So because of this, I decided to give machine polishers a try (Porter Cable 7424XP to be specific) in tandem with Menzerna polishes. It was one the best moves I made in my life and I just wish that I should have done it sooner!
Menzerna products works so well with MB paint. The Super Intensive Polish and Super Finish corrects the paint in no time and their Power Lock Polymer Sealant is my all time favorite. It just makes the finish so slick that insects couldn't even stand on it, they slide right off! LOL! Just search Menzerna and Mercedes nano paint and you'll see what I mean.
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
AMG 3.2 to answer your q's. i usually clay bar and its got just about all the imperfections out. the little scratches and what else stil in my paint i think is too deep for my own skill level so eventually im probably gonna take her in a shop to get repainted. as for waxes im a caranuba man and usually mothers or maguires. mothers sells a prewax stripper to get any old wax off i use that from time to time. in between waxes instant detailer does a good job for me in bringing the shine back out. now for the leather i think its maguires gold class or something leather cleaner and conditioner. i do that to all the leather atleast twice a month and it does a great job for me in keeping it clean and healthy and not cracked out. i put it on witha microfiber and then let it soak a bit then kinda buff it away and work it into the leather. any tips or tricks you have please do share cause im all about finding ways to keep my girl in tip top condition. the shots of your car are flawless what do you use? for the most part for me personally as long as i got a coat of wax on my paint hasnt gotten disturbed to much inbetween the clay barrings. i washed the car yesterday when it was in the 20's and it was a pain cause it was freezing before i could dry it all haha that was a challenge. but i got the wax on and shes happy for the time being. my next claybar session is the first 60/70 weekend in NY that comes haha.
For my leather I use pinnacle leather cleaner and conditioner as well as leatherique pristine clean. This works great for me and won't harm the stitching over time.
I also use 303 aerospace protectant for the dash and all vinyl or plastic surfaces.
Windows are always cleaned with an ammonia free, tint safe window cleaner such as invisible glass.
Wheels are cleaned with griots garage shampoo, and my beloved swissvax wheel brush. Then they are glazed and sealed just like the paint. Brake calipers as well.
If you have any questions at all regarding detailing or product choice, feel free to ask !
Last edited by AMG3.2; Jan 16, 2012 at 11:17 AM.
Senior Member
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From: Wappingers Falls NY
1996 S420 2006 C55AMG 2002Mustang GT
AMG3.2 many thanks for all the info ill have to try that out, i do love invisible glass thats all i use myself for the glass. ive never really touched sealants i guess thats my next step haha.
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but it ends up being approximately $5-10 each time I do the car which I am not planning on being any more frequent than 4 monthly.The initial outlay is about $150 for all the buckets, towels, mits, products etc but it all lasts a very long time.
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Check out this link for more info about Klasse.
http://www.autogeek.net/klashiggloss.html
It depends how intensive you want to go. These guys ^ must spend a fair bit. I am still a noob to car detailing buying my simple "products" from "shops" but it ends up being approximately $5-10 each time I do the car which I am not planning on being any more frequent than 4 monthly.
The initial outlay is about $150 for all the buckets, towels, mits, products etc but it all lasts a very long time.
but it ends up being approximately $5-10 each time I do the car which I am not planning on being any more frequent than 4 monthly.The initial outlay is about $150 for all the buckets, towels, mits, products etc but it all lasts a very long time.
But like you said, the products do last a very long time.
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It depends how intensive you want to go. These guys ^ must spend a fair bit. I am still a noob to car detailing buying my simple "products" from "shops" but it ends up being approximately $5-10 each time I do the car which I am not planning on being any more frequent than 4 monthly.
The initial outlay is about $150 for all the buckets, towels, mits, products etc but it all lasts a very long time.
but it ends up being approximately $5-10 each time I do the car which I am not planning on being any more frequent than 4 monthly.The initial outlay is about $150 for all the buckets, towels, mits, products etc but it all lasts a very long time.
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C55 AMG, E55 AMG
You don't have to spend $50 per application though. Well, the initial investment could be around $50 to a few hundred, depending if on the quality of the stuff you are getting (and if you're getting and DA polisher). But once you have everything, it's just mostly time you're investing. Your initial supply should last you a very looong time. If you're doing it properly, you don't need to apply excessive amounts of polish/wax/sealant. "The more the better" doesn't apply here, it just goes to waste.
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From: bay area, california
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But it's our black cars that need it the most -- minor swirls show up easily at the proper lighting angle, minor dust/dirt makes the car look really filthy compared to other colors.
You don't have to spend $50 per application though. Well, the initial investment could be around $50 to a few hundred, depending if on the quality of the stuff you are getting (and if you're getting and DA polisher). But once you have everything, it's just mostly time you're investing. Your initial supply should last you a very looong time. If you're doing it properly, you don't need to apply excessive amounts of polish/wax/sealant. "The more the better" doesn't apply here, it just goes to waste.
You don't have to spend $50 per application though. Well, the initial investment could be around $50 to a few hundred, depending if on the quality of the stuff you are getting (and if you're getting and DA polisher). But once you have everything, it's just mostly time you're investing. Your initial supply should last you a very looong time. If you're doing it properly, you don't need to apply excessive amounts of polish/wax/sealant. "The more the better" doesn't apply here, it just goes to waste.
Last edited by MIKESV8; Jan 16, 2012 at 05:26 PM.
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From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
Hey guys, if you just wanna go to the store and pick up some shampoo buy Meg's Gold Class. It offers great lubricity and its a very decent over the counter product. Also, make sure you are using the two bucket method and rinsing off your sponge every half panel or so. You don't want to be smearing dirt on your paint...
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From: Wappingers Falls NY
1996 S420 2006 C55AMG 2002Mustang GT
after ive washed and dried the car i use the claybar with instant detailer as the lubricant( it was a mothers claybar kit so it all came in the package)
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From: bay area, california
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