jamesta

I will admit upfront that I'm not the "wash and detail" every week type; regardless, I've never had anything like this before. I don't know how to describe it so here are a few pictures:


I'd like to know how to prevent this in the future (still don't know what happened) and how I can go about fixing this. Thanks!

danlnyc

have you ever used dishwasher soap to ever clean the car? The same thing happened to my friend who was too lazy to invest in some proper soap and within a couple weeks, what do you know....

jamesta

No, it's only been washed at the automatic wash at the Mercedes dealership. (It's free for owners)

TOGWT

Harsh washing chemicals plus UV / IR radiation will cause paint oxidation

I would advise you to seek the services of a professional detailer - Professional Detailer’s Directory - http://www.autopia.org/find-professi...iler/index.php

_AMG_

The paint looks oxidized.
Get some heavy cut rubbing compound and try to buff it out. If that doesn't work then take it to a pro detailer.

CakeDaddy

yep! Oxidation.
1. Wash it, then clay bar it.
2. Look at the 3m Extra Cut (part #06060) Use white/orange pad, wipe off with micro fiber towel or towels
3. Follow it with the meguiars M205. Use white pad, wipe off with another micro fiber towel or towels
4. Wash it again to remove polish residue then carefully dry it with a larger MF dry towel
5. Next, 3M UltraFina SE (part #06068). Apply with blue pad, wipe off with another micro fiber towel or towels
6. Next, Meguiars sealant #20 Apply with applicator by hand, wipe off with another micro fiber towel or towels
7. Last, Meguiars #26 Hard Yellow wax. Apply with applicator by hand and you guessed it...use another micro fiber towel or towels

Consider purchasing a polishers (flex 3401) with a series of grey,white, orange and blue pads. It will be the best thing you've ever done Oh....and never let the dealer run you black car through a car wash, especially the car washes with brushes. Just my opinion

pizzano

Well that explains most of the problem, people do not realise that everyone mostly washes there prized possesions improperly.

Preperation is everything , just the same as a great paint job, preperation, preperation.

I cant tell you how many times I have clients with high dollar exotics pay me to get there finish in show car condition only to do the simple mistake of washing it improperly and putting the swirl marks back into there finish.

Proper washing technique: 2 bucket system, 1 bucket with clean fresh water, 1 bucket with your proper washing solution, both buckets with grit guards on the bottom of the buckets to trap any loose dirt particles. And of course a quality microfiber wash mitt of your choice.

The trick is to soak your micro fiber wash mitt in the soapy bucket , wash your vehicles panel, DO NOT PUT IT BACK INTO THE SOAP BUCKET, rinse it in the clean water bucket before you ever dunk it in the soapy bucket again, this rinses and removes any dirt and grime that you just removed from your dirty car instead of putting that dirt and grime into your clean soap bucket (make sense now), then just repeat these steps and you should have a swirl free surface after you wash your vehicle, otherswise your just putting the dirt removed from your vehicle back into the soap bucket and wiping it back onto your surface creating tiny swirl marks.

AMG3.2

wow thats some bad oxidation...

55slamg

i've seen this on old muscle cars with poor hood insulation, whats your hood insulation look like? the paint is only effected in the center directly over the engine

pizzano

He has a point

or Poor quality clear, Ferrari used to have a bunch come off the assembly line with inferior clear, only to be noticed couple years later.

TOGWT

Out of interest, does this vehicle have CeramiClear paint?

CakeDaddy

If its the 2007 c230 listed in his profile, then yes. The ceramiclear was introdiced in 2003-2004 I believe, so he'll need at a minimum theFlex 3401. Dont even attempt it with a Porter Cable 7426.

55slamg

Cooked clear coat it very well may be, my first 2000 sl500 was purchased with the hood insulation missing, upon driving home for the first time from the seller ( 70km drive home ) I couldn't resist from punching it down a few times, upon return home, i lift the hood and was shocked with a heat wave. I kept my cool from there on until I sold it after reading the threads here in regards to hyd roof issues and decided it was a one man ride. I would of kept it, but the Mrs. liked driving as a daily and approved of me upgrading to the amg. I only have single car garage, so what can I say! but no regrets!

Follow Cakedaddy's advice, he seem's to have excellent knowledge in regards to clear coats. i don't think it has anything to do with the cleaning agents that your using, if so , you would see the problem in other areas. Something tells me that your having a whole lotta fun with that car! Enjoy, thats why they build them!

TOGWT

My point is CeramiClear has a better oxidation, harsh chemical and scratch resistance than most other types of coating, so something unusual has to be causing this. Paint usually comes with a 10 year guarantee