Just recently got a used 2010 ML350. I hadn't previously been the best vehicle caretaker but now have a reason to be! I want to keep my ML350 as close as possible to the condition it was when I bought it.

What do you recommend for both interior and exterior care? I am not looking for anything too intensive as I plan to get it detailed at the dealership 1-2 times a year. But I want to maintain it and keep the same look (aka not a shiny dash).

Also ... This may be a long shot but any hints on maintaining the new-ish car smell? I had read that the true new car smell is from the resins, glues, etc but since it is a 2010 and has been previously owned (well, leased) the dealership had to have put something in there to smell so nice!

Thank you in advance for the help!

 

Don't ever let the dealership wash or detail your car they will rip you off and do damage to the paint bad damage. Find a good detailer in your area and have them do the work. Take a look around autogeeks forums you can find alot of good info over there. There are so many products out there I use a lot of chemical guys stuff most of the stuff is really good but I've had some bad products too. Also use Ammonyc products as well very good but can be pricy.

 

You will be more happy if you go to a local detail shop that knows their business well. The dealer is too expensive, and the result is not impressive most of the time. And try the 303 protectant. It's great for interior and exterior plastic pieces. Best of all, it won't leave a shiny or oily look.

 

I purchased a few chemical guys products. They seem to generally have great reviews. Just got the new car smell and leather fresheners.. We will see how those go. Also received the Chemical Guys WAC_102_16 CG Speed Wipe Spray Detailer and Streak Free Quick Speed Shine Wax today. (Yes I copied and pasted!) Haven't used if yet but had really good reviews on good ole Amazon.

Any recs on how often to wash? I don't want to overdo it but want to keep it clean .. Especially in the winter with all the salt on the road.

 

Well Let me ask you how do you wash? Are you using a 3 bucket system One for soap one for clean water and one for the rims? I know it not fun washing when its cold if the car is not that bad I do a Hose free wash. If its bad and nice out side I also like to use a foam gun then the 3 bucket method. I only wash as needed CG air fresheners do smell good but don't last very long I did buy one bottle but I wont be getting one more. Never tried there detailer spray I don't use the stuff unless I need to spot car the car Not saying its bad I just don't use it. As I dry to help aid the drying process I use ammo hydrate with A damp MF towel.

 

I favor using Optimum No Rinse (ONR) for washing the car over using a quick detailer or "waterless wash" product. "Waterless" products work, but you have to use so much product it can get very expensive. (That is, unless you figure you're saving $25 dollars right off the bat by not having someone else wash the car!)
I use ONR with a one-bucket, 8-towel method: Soak six towels in the solution bucket and use a fresh wet towel for a section of the car until finished. Next, take your two dry towels and THEN use your quick detail spray to shine everything up! Lots of videos for ONR methods on YouTube.
A great thing about waterless or no-rinse methods is that you can do them in the garage, etc. No more need to time your shade for washing the car!

 

First thing, get it out to a high end detailer who has experience with MB ceramic clear coat. Get a multi-stage paint correction, and then have your car sealed with OptiCoat. You may have to look around for someone authorized to use the product. Worth the effort. Then have a 3M clear bra custom installed. While not bulletproof it will prevent damage in the long run. This will cost about $3000 total - but worth every cent. Below is my weekly detail routine (Car has had professional 3-stage paint correction and sealed with OptiCoat): 5-bucket method using 4 buckets with grit guards. Use warm water and Detailer's Xtreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo. Three dedicated MF wash mitts.

1 - Power wash car to remove lose surface dirt and grit.

2 - Wheels, tires & wheel wells: Pre-spray wheels with Sonax Wheel Cleaner. In first bucket of Detailer's Xtreme Foam, use Daytona Speed Master PRO Wheel Brush to clean spokes and wheel rims. First MF mitt to clean wheel face. Tire bush to clean both sides of tire. Handle brush to scrub wheel well. Rinse.

3 - The dirt belt (area from the side trim down): Pre-spray area to be cleaned with foam cannon filled with Detailer's Xtreme foam, using second MF mitt and two buckets of Detailer's Xtreme foam and grit guards (one for pre-rinse, one soap) work from side trim down - never move from dirty back to clean but from clean to dirty. Rinse.

4 - Wash entire vehicle from top down: Pre-spray area to be cleaned with foam cannon filled with Detailer's Xtreme foam, using third MF mitt and two clean buckets of Detailer's Xtreme foam and grit guards (one for pre-rinse, one soap) work from top down - never move from dirty back to clean but from clean to dirty. Rinse.

5 - Drying: OptiCoat is a highly hydrophobic coating, and you can dry the vehicle by simply sheeting a stream of water and "pulling" it down the car. Perfectly dry with no water spots. Dedicated leaf blower on low to blow water from trim and crevices, followed by Wolfgang's Detailer Spritz and MF towels dedicated to exterior drying only.

Takes about 90 minutes to complete. Absolutely no risk of introducing scratches or swirls, and your car will look showroom perfect. It may be a bit OCD - but if you've spent $100K on your car why trust it with a $20 wash??