It is with much shame... but I must admit. My precious E has suffered over a year of neglect.. so I need you help. It's been a long 12+ months and due to personal reasons beyond my control... I am only now getting around to restoring the beauty of my E class.... and need your help with some answers. I have long been a member of mbworld.. and have posted much (though mostly in the W211 forum).. but (sign).. here's where I'm at....

* car is Obsidian Black
* hasn't had a "real" wash in over a year
* has many "sap droppings" stuck to the pain (little slivers of sap I guess)
* has a couple of "white paint marks" on the doors from disrespectful non-mb owners

I have been a fan of the 3 bucket method of washing the car (from the sticky here), and have used Gold Class shampoo.. and the Gold Class liquid wax. I used the "Absorber" to dry the car after washing.. and use chenille mits in a uni-direction motion (frnt to back). I have never gotten around to do any claying or anything.... Here's my gameplan... (and some questions)

step1: wash the car with the Gold Class (though I bought the NXT recently and may try that)
** Do I need to "dawn" the car.. surely there's little if any wax left on it..hasn't been waxed in probably 14-18 months.

step2: Clay the car (I had a Mothers clay bar that's been in my garage and now is 'messed up.' So I bought a Meguiars Smooth Surface clay kit and will use that.
** It comes with Cleaner wax... what the heck is that??? Is that a "paint cleaner and wax all in one?? IN essence combining 2 steps in 1??

Step3: Rewash the car again?? I assume if I don't wipe the clay residue off the car in step 2.. I do another wash with the soap of choice... or if I wipe the car down with the clay and detailer/lubricant.. then I can just proceed to the next process right? ANy benefit either way?

Step4: polish the car? I think at this point the car needs a polish yes? I was thinking of using the MEguiars Showroom glaze #7?? Or should I stick to the regular Meguiars polish? Or even a Mother's polish?

Step5: Wax: I am planning to apply the GOld Class Liquid wax.... or perhaps a nice Carnanuba wax....I want protection from the elements and longevity... the polish should deepen the look.. and the wax should protect...

All this is to be done by hand... no machines, buffers, etc. And I don't have really any swirl marks to speak of... just the surface contiminants.. and the marks on the doors.

* What do I use to remove the paint on my doors from other cars??? Would the clay knock it out.. or a paint cleaner... or do I need to use something like ScratchX?

Thanks guys for your assistance.... I hope to get started on this later today when it cools down some and then finish up tomorrow. I will take before and after pictures. and post them.

Thanks
Peter

 

First, I would reccommend you investigate Zaino products. But to answer your questions:I would. Dawn will help remove any grease and grime along with any old wax.

Yes, absolutely clay the car. Make sure you use PLENTY of lubricant. I normally use a heavy concentrate of car wash soap and water.

Not sure about the all in one question.

Yes, you need to re-wash the car. You do not need to use dawn for this. Your normal high quality car wash soap will be fine.

These all depend on what products you use. Follow the directions on the products and you should be fine.

You should apply the wax or polish by hand, but you can use a good buffer to remove (if you know how). Just be careful not to burn through.

If the clay bar does not remove it, then you may need to try something with more abrassives. As aways, start from the bottom and work your way up.

Looking forward to the pictures.

 

Thanks for the info.. I will post what I actually did later on after baby is asleep and try to get some pics up of BEFORE... Its dark and was out all day 2day in the R so I have no AFTER pics yet... though she looks SWEET!!!!

How do I post a pic?? Duh!!!

 

Two ways: You can upload the picture to a server and then link the picture here using the IMG tags (you can use this button up above and just paste in the address.

Or (normally) you can upload your picture to MBWORLD and then attach it to your post. However, because of server upgrades and testing going on right now, this has been shut off. Normally there is a "Manage attachments" section below the reply box.

 

I agree with everything "Rev" said, however , be prepared to "Dawn" wash the car more than once to remove the sap droppings.