Detailer's Domain: Extensive Detail on an 01 S8
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Former Vendor of MBWorld
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08 STI
Detailer's Domain: Extensive Detail on an 01 S8
This was a huge undertaking. For 1 the car came to us with amazing gloss and depth, however when we went in to examine the car we found tons of imperfections on this 8 year old S8. The customer wanted this car to come out perfect, the total time to get this car right was 24 man hours. The exterior was washed, clayed, compound, polished, and finally Swissvax Divine was used to bring it out. Take a look and enjoy.
Products Used:
Exterior:
Adam's All Purpose Cleaner in the Cam Spray Foam Canon
Swissvax Paint Rubber and Optimum Instant Detail Spray and Gloss Enhancer for clay lube
Menzerna Power Gloss Compound
Menzerna Super Intensive with the Uber Green Pad
Menzerna PO85RD with the Uber Blue Pad
Menzerna Top Inspection
Swissvax Divine
Einszett Spray Wax
Wheels/Tires/Etc
Adam's All Purpose
Einszett Wheel Cleaner
Adam's VRT
Uber Boar's Hair Wheel Brush
Swissvax Wheel Brush
Swissvax Autobahn
Adam's Undercarriage Spray
Adam's Glass Cleaner
Interior:
Uber Interior Kit
Leather Master Foam Cleaner for Suede/Alcantara
Leather Master Nubuck Protector
Tools:
Fenix TK11
Brinkmann MaxFire
Metabo PE12-175
Flex 3403
The Uber Foam Pads (5.5inch)
Tons of "Uber" Microfiber Towels
Uber Drying Towels
Cam Spray 1500A with Cam Spray Foam Gun
Let's get the interior shots in first:
Cleaning up the alcantara and protecting it
Final shots
Wash and Prep:
Wax build up
Etching in the paint more wax/old polish build up
Products Used:
Exterior:
Adam's All Purpose Cleaner in the Cam Spray Foam Canon
Swissvax Paint Rubber and Optimum Instant Detail Spray and Gloss Enhancer for clay lube
Menzerna Power Gloss Compound
Menzerna Super Intensive with the Uber Green Pad
Menzerna PO85RD with the Uber Blue Pad
Menzerna Top Inspection
Swissvax Divine
Einszett Spray Wax
Wheels/Tires/Etc
Adam's All Purpose
Einszett Wheel Cleaner
Adam's VRT
Uber Boar's Hair Wheel Brush
Swissvax Wheel Brush
Swissvax Autobahn
Adam's Undercarriage Spray
Adam's Glass Cleaner
Interior:
Uber Interior Kit
Leather Master Foam Cleaner for Suede/Alcantara
Leather Master Nubuck Protector
Tools:
Fenix TK11
Brinkmann MaxFire
Metabo PE12-175
Flex 3403
The Uber Foam Pads (5.5inch)
Tons of "Uber" Microfiber Towels
Uber Drying Towels
Cam Spray 1500A with Cam Spray Foam Gun
Let's get the interior shots in first:
Cleaning up the alcantara and protecting it
Final shots
Wash and Prep:
Wax build up
Etching in the paint more wax/old polish build up
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Mar 2009
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08 STI
Pre soak and cleaning up trim
Cleaning up the wheels (not much needed)
Engine Before
Cleaning the engine bay
All Purpose wash
Claying
Masking
Testing the area for paint thickness and plan of attack
Polishing
Before shots of passenger door
Different angles
Cleaning up the wheels (not much needed)
Engine Before
Cleaning the engine bay
All Purpose wash
Claying
Masking
Testing the area for paint thickness and plan of attack
Polishing
Before shots of passenger door
Different angles
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,348
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08 STI
Halogen after PG/SIP/PO85RD
Fenix light on panel after PO85RD
After all that polishing.....
DUST!
After polishing before the rinse down (no wax)
Rinse down:
Engine Before /After
Swissvax Divine
Applying Divine
Removing Wax
Fenix light on panel after PO85RD
After all that polishing.....
DUST!
After polishing before the rinse down (no wax)
Rinse down:
Engine Before /After
Swissvax Divine
Applying Divine
Removing Wax
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Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 2
08 STI
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
E55 AMG
Just have to say that I love the autobahn wheel wax. Like heated seats, didn't think I need it but now i can't do without it.
What's a good alternative that you'd recommend for seal treatment/protection?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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08 STI
Swissvax Seal would be a great alternative
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 11
From: NA
Yes
Good work man! What polishing tool/buffer did you use, if at all?
Do you find a buffer is necessary to remove swirls on a black car, or are there products applied by hand that do the trick, that arent as expensive as Menzerna?
Do you find a buffer is necessary to remove swirls on a black car, or are there products applied by hand that do the trick, that arent as expensive as Menzerna?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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08 STI
100% percent you will need a polisher to remove the swirls on something like this, if you you will be there for days /weeks trying to polish it all out.
We used the 2 machines below, hi speed rotaries.
Metabo PE12-175
Flex 3403
For polishes and compounds which are oem to Mercedes nope I haven't really found anything close, why not use what the factory is using on your car on the production line.
We used the 2 machines below, hi speed rotaries.
Metabo PE12-175
Flex 3403
For polishes and compounds which are oem to Mercedes nope I haven't really found anything close, why not use what the factory is using on your car on the production line.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 11
From: NA
Yes
It is just pricey - Im all for taking care of my cars paint and have always used great mass-marketed products with success because I dont want to spend $50 on a polish.
If I can get 90% of the results (which really is indistinguishable to the naked eye) and spend half on the products, I'd prefer to do that...especially on a brand new car with no need for intense restoration. If Im reading your response right, in your experience, nothing comes even close to Menzerna, even to the standard eye, that is cheaper.
If I can get 90% of the results (which really is indistinguishable to the naked eye) and spend half on the products, I'd prefer to do that...especially on a brand new car with no need for intense restoration. If Im reading your response right, in your experience, nothing comes even close to Menzerna, even to the standard eye, that is cheaper.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Mar 2009
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08 STI
to each his own I have customers that feel that way for sure.
but are you looking at the size of the container of menzerna its 32oz most the walmart goods are 16 oz bottles, so make sure your comparing the right sizes.
menzerna does have 16 oz sizes.
next I would ask myself why MB is using Menzerna and not Eagle one or Meguiars on their production line before your car leaves the plant.
There are great products out there I just find after 10 plus years of using and trying just about everything that Menzerna is one of the best out there for compounds and polishes.
Remember these products are not filling your paint and hiding your imperfections they are correcting your paint, to do so you will need to use at the minimum an orbital polisher or rotary polisher.
if you feel the products you are using are great for your needs then go for it, I'm not here to change your mind in any way I'm just here to present other options and show you the results of what can be done with certain products.
but are you looking at the size of the container of menzerna its 32oz most the walmart goods are 16 oz bottles, so make sure your comparing the right sizes.
menzerna does have 16 oz sizes.
next I would ask myself why MB is using Menzerna and not Eagle one or Meguiars on their production line before your car leaves the plant.
There are great products out there I just find after 10 plus years of using and trying just about everything that Menzerna is one of the best out there for compounds and polishes.
Remember these products are not filling your paint and hiding your imperfections they are correcting your paint, to do so you will need to use at the minimum an orbital polisher or rotary polisher.
if you feel the products you are using are great for your needs then go for it, I'm not here to change your mind in any way I'm just here to present other options and show you the results of what can be done with certain products.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 11
From: NA
Yes
Good point about the size, I didnt catch that.
I feel the products I use are good for my needs (keeping great paint looking great, not restoring, just avoiding/removing swirls and ensuring my paint stays glossy and protected) however I also feel there are better products out there for someone who doesnt want to spend 2 days detailing, maybe a few hours, and doesnt need intense restoration qualities.
Thank you for presenting other options, thats what Im looking for - you guys know way more about detailing than I do and thats the reason Im asking these questions, to lean on your experience.
I feel the products I use are good for my needs (keeping great paint looking great, not restoring, just avoiding/removing swirls and ensuring my paint stays glossy and protected) however I also feel there are better products out there for someone who doesnt want to spend 2 days detailing, maybe a few hours, and doesnt need intense restoration qualities.
Thank you for presenting other options, thats what Im looking for - you guys know way more about detailing than I do and thats the reason Im asking these questions, to lean on your experience.
