I recently bought a '00 CLK430, silver and black, and was interested in doing a complete detailing job to it. I've been reading up on all the various detailing steps, and various products out there that are available, and have come up with a gameplan for which I am allocating an entire day for.

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in pictures along the way? As of right now it seems as if the paint isn't as smooth as it could be, and it could use some shining up.

So here's what I'm planning on doing for an entire day (and DEFINITELY taking after pictures):

1. Wash the car using special car soap (I have Zymol here.)
2. Wash the wheels using a wheel brush, the tires using a tire cleaner and harder brush.
3. Wash the body once more (just to ensure that all the dirt is off and remove any water spots that may have formed while doing step #2.
4. Dry the car, from top to bottom using soft cotton terry cloth.
5. Dry the wheels/tires.
6. Using clay bar and clay bar spray, go over the entire car with the clay bar. This should smooth things out.
7. I ordered Klasse Polish which I will apply one light coat of to remove any oxidation/light swirl marks.
8. After removing the Klasse Polish, apply a coat of Klasse Glaze (a synthetic wax)... this protects the paint against the environment.
9. Since they recommend letting the synthetic wax dry well, I will use this time to use wheel polish on all four wheels, and tire polish on the tires.
10. While still waiting, vacuum everywhere in the interior and trunk.
11. While still waiting, wash the windows from the inside and outside, including all mirrors.
12. With a slightly damp cloth, lightly follow thru on the seats to remove any loose dirt, and the dashboard and console again to remove any light dust/debris.
13. Armor-all the dashboard to protect it from cracking. Not too much to get extreme shine.
14. Clean the engine compartment with a general cleaner.
15. Ensure car is full of fluids, tires at proper tire pressure, etc.
16. Clean up a little and get lunch.
17. Come back and take off the synthetic wax.
18. Using a caranuba wax, apply to the body. Wipe off the wax with soft cotton terry cloth.
19. If there's extra time, apply another coat of caranuba wax.
20. Apply nice scent to inside of car.
21. Take pictures!!!

I already ordered all my components for the above steps and am getting ready to do this starting early one Saturday morning. I expect the car to be an almost, or at least a mirror-like shine.

I am considering doing a step-by-step, or maybe just show before/after pictures here. What do you guys think?

Safet

 

Before and after pics would be great. During (or after each stage) would be better!!

Can I make a couple of suggestions? First, wash the car with a dishwashing soap like Dawn. This will remove any old wax and/or polish. Regular car wash soap will normally not remove wax (as you would not want to during normal, between wax car washes). Also on the inside, I would avoid armor all. Go with a cleaner made for cars like mothers or mequires. I've heard some nasty things about armor all.

Most of all, have fun taking care of your ride, and post some pics so we can all be jealous!!

 

Does anyone else have any other steps/suggestions to incorporate into the list of todo's I have made? I'd like to refine it to a reference point for other car enthusiasts and even include pictures.

 

Change # 13 ARMOR-ALL and insert VINYLEX a Lexol Product for ALL plastic surfaces.

http://www.lexol.com/vinindex.html

Use LEXOL on ALL leather surfaces.

http://www.lexol.com/newauto.html

tnx for the effort.
Karl

 

Ok I have the Vinylex on order and some Lexol at home.

I have to bring the car in to the dealer (low freon-- stays in EC mode??) for a quick boost of freon, and can't wait to begin detailing the car.

 

Make sure the carnabu you use is 100% wax with no polishing agents. Malms, Zymol, Pinnacle ans PS21 carnabu are all good choices....with Malms being the best.

Also, treat your wheels as paint. Wheels today have paint and clearcoat, unless they're chrome. Using wheel polish is highly abrasive and will dull your wheels.

 

If the wheels are chrome use Simichrome from Germany.

For vaccuming....get a "horsehair" duster attachment, use this on vents and all over dash buttons, seams, etc. Make sure it's a soft horsehair and not plastic as this will scratch wood veneer.

You can get a horsehair duster attachment at Sears.

 

Mercmaniac,

I have ordered Pinnacle Paste Glaz Car Wax, which is supposed to be a great caranuba wax for light colors, i.e. white, silver, etc.

After clay bar, I am going to use the Klasse polish, followed by the Klasse synthetic wax for protection, and then the Pinnacle wax for shine, and possibly another coat of Pinnacle wax for good measure.

I have the AMG aluminum alloy wheels, I have ordered the Eagle One mag-chrome-aluminum polish. Have you had any experience with this product, would this be overly-abrasive for my wheels? I believe it said it was safe for aluminum and chrome, and if it was fine for chrome I'd think it wouldn't scratch it, or am I wrong?

Thanks for your help,

Safet

 

The AMG wheels are clear coated. DON'T use anything abrasive on them or you will scratch the clear coat. Personally I just use soap and water to clean the wheels. Seems to do the trick. Anything harsher will eventually and prematurely wear the clear coat thin.

 

Yes, Awiner is right....the AMG wheels are alloy but they are painted then clearcoated. Treat them just like you would the hood of your car, polish, protect and wax.

If they are really soiled from brake dust.....use PS21 wheel cleaner only....and use the little yellow soft sponge "lightly" that comes with the product.

Thereafter just wash them with your wash mitt. Suggest you have seperate wash mitt for wheels, since brake dust in mitt can cause scratching on clearcoat of your paint.

PS If you want a "show car" get the Porter Cable orbital buffer with foam pads. After claying use Meguairs #7 show car glaze with buffer at 4000rpms, then use the klasse all in one at 3000rpms then the rest of products by hand. This is how cars are prepped for Pebble Beach Concours competitions, except they just use the #7 then Malms carnabu since they are not looking for road/long term protection.