CAR WASH/DETAIL PICTURE(S) THREAD
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
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'20 GLC300 SUV
The gentleman that details my car (he is a master when it comes to polishing) told me that Mercedes-Benz and Audi both have some of the best paint out there (in terms of durability/strength).
BMW's paint, on the other hand, is buttery soft. I've seen plenty of BMWs with bad orange peel texture too.
BMW's paint, on the other hand, is buttery soft. I've seen plenty of BMWs with bad orange peel texture too.
Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 125
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From: Toronto, Canada
C63 P31
How does everyone in the north keep their cars clean in the winter? I hate having to go through car washes so often, even if they are touch-less washes. I've tried detailing in my garage but, water plus -15 weather doesn't hold up well and my car ends up being covered in a sheet of ice haha. The salt here really takes a toll on the car and I'm always antsy to clean it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2014
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2010 C63 P30
The paint is so damn hard that FG400 is what you really need to cut with a DA. Rupes or maybe a Flex 3401 could get away with something less, but definitely not a DA. As it is, it takes me about 1.5-2 hrs per panel (door sized) to get all the big swirls and scratches out and leave a slight haze that the 1500 should take care of. The 400 and the MF pad would destroy the paint on my lexus. 1500 with an orange pad cuts really quickly on that car. MB paint is just so hard. I think I'm either going to borrow a Rupes 15 or buy a Flex 3401 to finish this job. It's taking so long with my DA.
yup, my toyota has very very soft paint but i actually saw a guy use fg400 on a toyota he just used a lighter pad and made a lot of passes and it looked great.
big reason i bought menzerna was its what they use in the mb factory (allegedly) and its designed for ceramic coated paints. Hopefully it doesnt take forever with my griots DA, I really dont want to drop the coin on a rupes
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Joined: Nov 2012
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'10 C63
yup, my toyota has very very soft paint but i actually saw a guy use fg400 on a toyota he just used a lighter pad and made a lot of passes and it looked great.
big reason i bought menzerna was its what they use in the mb factory (allegedly) and its designed for ceramic coated paints. Hopefully it doesnt take forever with my griots DA, I really dont want to drop the coin on a rupes
big reason i bought menzerna was its what they use in the mb factory (allegedly) and its designed for ceramic coated paints. Hopefully it doesnt take forever with my griots DA, I really dont want to drop the coin on a rupes
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
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A V8
The gentleman that details my car (he is a master when it comes to polishing) told me that Mercedes-Benz and Audi both have some of the best paint out there (in terms of durability/strength).
BMW's paint, on the other hand, is buttery soft. I've seen plenty of BMWs with bad orange peel texture too.
BMW's paint, on the other hand, is buttery soft. I've seen plenty of BMWs with bad orange peel texture too.
Lexus has really nice, quality paint. I would say out of all the basic manufacturer vehicles, they are the best.
Benz has orange peel, but not as much as BMW.. good lord.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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'10 C63
Toyota/Lexus paint is just so soft. Yesterday my neighbors came back from an automatic car wash that put HUGE scratches in the side of their highlander. 1500 and an orange pad and they were all gone in 20 minutes. I'm talking about a section a foot high and the length of the car. That would have been impossible to take out of MB or Corvette paint without 400 and a MF pad.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2014
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2010 C63 P30
It's going to be pretty much impossible to do with just a 5.5 inch DA. I am using the Griots also. It just wont't cut along edges like the 2 creases that run the length of the doors or the hood strakes. Don't even try the front bumper or trunk. The 3 inch has the same power as the big DA and it takes care of all those areas easily. I'll get some pictures to show what the bigger DA can't reach. That 3 inch is killer!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
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A V8
Toyota/Lexus paint is just so soft. Yesterday my neighbors came back from an automatic car wash that put HUGE scratches in the side of their highlander. 1500 and an orange pad and they were all gone in 20 minutes. I'm talking about a section a foot high and the length of the car. That would have been impossible to take out of MB or Corvette paint without 400 and a MF pad.
I do agree that is soft. But Lexus and Toyota do not use the same clearcoat. Which is important note.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: 🇨🇦
W463 G550 / C190 GTC //prev: W204 C63 507 / R170
I'm getting ready to pickup a brand new 2015- made in January.
Is is good to wait a few months for the paint to "set" before getting the paint sealed with Opti Coat Pro?
Is is good to wait a few months for the paint to "set" before getting the paint sealed with Opti Coat Pro?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,768
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'10 C63
You should be fine to do it right away. Factory paint cures differently than ones painted in a shop such as after a collision. I would do it sooner rather than later.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2008
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'20 GLC300 SUV
I fortunately don't have any orange peel on any of my Benzes but I don't doubt that there may be some cars out there with a subtle case of it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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A V8
the paint will be perfectly fine by the time it leaves the factory, let alone the time it takes to get to your dealer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
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A V8
I actually paint cars so that's why i've become a little overly **** with OP on cars. All cars have OP, to some degree.
Bentley's however, do not. As they get wetsanded from the factory before being delivered. As does Rolls Royce. Your car is silver, so you may not be seeing it, but trust me, it's there.
Lexus' big boy car (LS) also is wetsanded from the factory.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,768
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'10 C63
I actually paint cars so that's why i've become a little overly **** with OP on cars. All cars have OP, to some degree.
Bentley's however, do not. As they get wetsanded from the factory before being delivered. As does Rolls Royce. Your car is silver, so you may not be seeing it, but trust me, it's there.
Lexus' big boy car (LS) also is wetsanded from the factory.
Bentley's however, do not. As they get wetsanded from the factory before being delivered. As does Rolls Royce. Your car is silver, so you may not be seeing it, but trust me, it's there.
Lexus' big boy car (LS) also is wetsanded from the factory.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 8
A V8
Yea, sanding a car is not for the novice detailer. Done wrong it could end up costing you a very expensive paint job. It's actually pointless on light colored cars imo.
But if you do a black car, the results can/will truly be incredible. I did it when i bought my first car (infiniti fx35) i wish i had pics. Came out like a mirror.
If you're interested in seeing Bentley's sanding process, youtube it. Pretty cool stuff. You can see the effort that goes into those automobiles.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: North East
2011 C63 AW
Me personally, I don't like putting in a lot of time on washing waxing my car and I'm too cheap and suspicious to take it someone to do it for me.
But I'll tell ya, I've been using Griots stuff for the past year and it's awesome, I like their car wash, spray on rubber/grime remover, and quick spray wax. You spray the wax on as you dry with a micro fiber towel and dayum, it looks great with only an hour total of work. I like leatherique for the seats too.
But I'll tell ya, I've been using Griots stuff for the past year and it's awesome, I like their car wash, spray on rubber/grime remover, and quick spray wax. You spray the wax on as you dry with a micro fiber towel and dayum, it looks great with only an hour total of work. I like leatherique for the seats too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 3
2010 C63 P30
Me personally, I don't like putting in a lot of time on washing waxing my car and I'm too cheap and suspicious to take it someone to do it for me.
But I'll tell ya, I've been using Griots stuff for the past year and it's awesome, I like their car wash, spray on rubber/grime remover, and quick spray wax. You spray the wax on as you dry with a micro fiber towel and dayum, it looks great with only an hour total of work. I like leatherique for the seats too.
But I'll tell ya, I've been using Griots stuff for the past year and it's awesome, I like their car wash, spray on rubber/grime remover, and quick spray wax. You spray the wax on as you dry with a micro fiber towel and dayum, it looks great with only an hour total of work. I like leatherique for the seats too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 409
C63 AMG
MB Paint is very good. The BMW paint process leaves orange peel all over the car.
I agree with you all when saying our paint is Hard. I have been treating my car with Autoglym products for years and couldn't be happier.
Post wash photo below, I have to spend some time during this cold winter to do a thorough interior detail before spring.
I agree with you all when saying our paint is Hard. I have been treating my car with Autoglym products for years and couldn't be happier.
Post wash photo below, I have to spend some time during this cold winter to do a thorough interior detail before spring.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 6
C63 AMG
MB Paint is very good. The BMW paint process leaves orange peel all over the car.
I agree with you all when saying our paint is Hard. I have been treating my car with Autoglym products for years and couldn't be happier.
Post wash photo below, I have to spend some time during this cold winter to do a thorough interior detail before spring.
I agree with you all when saying our paint is Hard. I have been treating my car with Autoglym products for years and couldn't be happier.
Post wash photo below, I have to spend some time during this cold winter to do a thorough interior detail before spring.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 419
'10 C63
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 8
A V8
[QUOTE=Kriston;6332604]MB Paint is very good. The BMW paint process leaves orange peel all over the car.
I agree with you all when saying our paint is Hard. I have been treating my car with Autoglym products for years and couldn't be happier.
Post wash photo below, I have to spend some time during this cold winter to do a thorough interior detail before spring.
MB has orange peel too, lets not get carried away. These aren't rolls royce vehicles.
I agree with you all when saying our paint is Hard. I have been treating my car with Autoglym products for years and couldn't be happier.
Post wash photo below, I have to spend some time during this cold winter to do a thorough interior detail before spring.
MB has orange peel too, lets not get carried away. These aren't rolls royce vehicles.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
C63
Wow!! Great work man! If only you were located here, I would pay you for your detail.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 352
Likes: 2
From: Montreal, QC
2013 C63 coupe P31
How does everyone in the north keep their cars clean in the winter? I hate having to go through car washes so often, even if they are touch-less washes. I've tried detailing in my garage but, water plus -15 weather doesn't hold up well and my car ends up being covered in a sheet of ice haha. The salt here really takes a toll on the car and I'm always antsy to clean it.
