Question for owners of Black CLK's

Jul 18, 2003 | 08:33 PM

cl_kruisin

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 230

Likes: 0

From: WA

2000 CLK430 & 2000 Expedition on 22's

Question for owners of Black CLK's

This is a question for all of the owners of dark colored or black rides. How do you get rid of the damn swirls? It was swirl free off the lot but after the first time I washed it, they showed up. What products (soap, rag, wax, etc) do you guys use? Any suggestions?

Thanks

Tom

Jul 18, 2003 | 10:19 PM

ELENI

Senior Member

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 452

Likes: 2

From: FLUSHING, NY

2006 E350

I have a black 99 430. I got my car used so it had swirl marks when I bought it. But I've been able to control it by hand washing, using a chamois to dry and using Meguiar's SCRATCH X. It works great. I think the Scratch X has actually made a big deal in decreasing the visibility of the swirl marks. I also recommend any other Meguiar's products. Any one I've tried has worked great.

http://www.autogeek.net/megscratxfin.html

Jul 18, 2003 | 10:36 PM

cl_kruisin

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 230

Likes: 0

From: WA

2000 CLK430 & 2000 Expedition on 22's

Thanks I'll have to try that.

Does anyone know a good rag/wash mit or spronge to wash with?

Jul 18, 2003 | 10:47 PM

FrankW

MBworld Guru

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 22,058

Likes: 18

From: Diamond Bar, CA

W206 PHEV AMG

I've tried Meguiar Gold class, it sort of cover the swirl mark, but it leaves oily swirl on the car. Zymol is what I use now, but they are expensive at $13 bucks for a fairly small bottle.

I just use a real wool wash mit that I got from Kragen.

Jul 19, 2003 | 02:32 AM

mmgrad

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 5,289

Likes: 9

From: So Cal

W213 '17 E43 ///AMG - W211, W208 no more

i wash with a wool mit, dry with a chamois... car gets a complete buff/wax/detail every 3-4 mths... that helps on the swirls too...

Meguiars SCRATCH X helps remove swirls... but those aren't very good on scratches...

Last edited by mmgrad; Jul 19, 2003 at 02:36 AM.

Jul 19, 2003 | 02:52 AM

cl_kruisin

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 230

Likes: 0

From: WA

2000 CLK430 & 2000 Expedition on 22's

What about removing small pitch spots? Is there any good product for that?

Jul 19, 2003 | 04:25 AM

FrankW

MBworld Guru

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 22,058

Likes: 18

From: Diamond Bar, CA

W206 PHEV AMG

i use turtlewax's color wax for chips...wax the chipped area and then use zymol over it.

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

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Verdad Gallardo

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Verdad Gallardo

Aug 4, 2003 | 07:08 PM

redbrick

Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 73

Likes: 0

There was a post on this site way back when this site was exclusively CLK's, and the guys advice was:

Wash with striaght strokes in the direction of the wind, and work from top to bottom, change rags for every panel, do not use those power washers, use used and cleaned baby diapers.

If the swirls are already there, as you pointed out, then it's really too late...there's really nothing out there that can fix it up other than cover it up or fill in the grooves temporarily.

This all has to be taken cared of from the day it rolls off the train/boat....not off the lot...cause the dealers they can sometimes screw it up as well dolling it up just to make the sale.

Lastly, don't let the dealers wash your car when they service it...cause it's just a cheap water rinse with their stupidity rubbing the crap out your paint.

Aug 7, 2003 | 10:15 AM

#10

waterford5301

Junior Member

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 73

Likes: 1

From: Pittsburgh, PA

'02 CLK55 and Hummer H2

Go over to the detailing forum and read the post about washing. Use the 2 bucket method (especially on black cars). It cuts down on the amount of small debris on your chamois that causes swirl marks in the first place. NEVER let the dealer wash your car! Also, use Zaino to wax your car. It is, in my opinion, the best stuff out there. Good Luck!