Was wondering what car care products everyone is using on your babies. So many new products available these days it can be a bit overwhelming when choosing products. If you could let me know what you are using on the exterior, interior, wheels and glass. Also if you tried any products that you were dissatisfied with or products that worked great that would be informative. Below is what I’m currently using. I aways hand wash and dry. Thanks for the input.
1. Sealant: Wolfgang Concours Deep Gloss paint sealant 3.0
2. Detailing spray: Turtle Wax Ice spray detailer or Meguiar’s gold class detail spray
3. Vinyl protector: Aerospace 303 protectant ( so far best product I’ve ever used on vinyl or rubber )
4. Glass: Stoner Invisible Glass ( Griot's Garage PFM Dual Weave Glass Towels are best microfiber towels for glass I ever used )
5. Tire cleaner: Super Clean
6. Tire dressing: Meguiar’s Endurance tire gel ( gloss ) or Aerospace 303 ( less shine )
Polish -- Menzerna Super Finish (SF-3500). Note this is not for applying by hand, rather you MUST apply via a dual-action polisher. This is an updated version of their Nano Polish, which was used by MB in the factories for years to address paint imperfections. It was designed for the harder paints that MB started using many years ago (to be more scratch resistant). This is detailing polish, so if you don't have a good dual-action polisher, you're better off finding a good detailer to do the polishing. Depending on your paint condition, you only need to do this every year or two.
Paint Sealer: I am a huge fan of the Wolfgang paint sealer -- I only need to do it spring and fall. For those that haven't used it yet, you really only use about 1-1/2 to 2 ounces to do the whole car. If you put it on thicker, it's just wasting the product, and the fact that it doesn't dry the same way as most liquids means you can take it off later without worries (and it comes off super easy). So I can do the whole car, then buff it off with a microfiber towel. Whatever spots I missed come off just as easily the following day and it doesn't stain black plastic trim (rather it just comes off). I even use it on the plastic headlight lenses so the water just beads off them.
Quick Detailer (and fresh bug remover) - Maguiar's Last Touch Detailer $25/gallon and a $5 spray bottle (if you don't have one) are my quick detailer. I use this on my SL 550 too, as those nice early evening rides collect lots of bugs...
Glass -- if you can't get Stoner Invisible Glass, Sprayway glass cleaner is what I use as well (we use it in the house too). It's about $2.50 - 3.00 a can and it is no ammonia (similar to Stoner) -- available at Home Depot, BJ's Wholesale (4 for $8) and I think several other chain stores now carry it. I've been using it for 30 years (when I ordered my detailing stuff from Beverly Hills Motoring). As noted above, use a microfiber towel on glass - spray the product on the towel, and then wipe the glass. Turn to a dry spot of the towel and wipe again to remove residue. Use a dedicated microfiber for glass -- do not use a microfiber you already wiped the dust off the dash with, or you'll be stuck with lint on the windows for quite a while... Also, never use paper towel as you'll end up with a film on the window as the cleaner dissolves whatever they use to make the paper towel... Since it's ammonia free, it's safe for plastic screens (e.g., my TVs at home and the plastic instrument cluster), just make sure you're using a newly washed microfiber as those screens are soft and scratch easily from anything that might be already on the towel. It's also fine to periodically clean the plastic dash / trim where you have soil / sticky stuff from the kids, etc.if you don't have a dedicated plastic cleaner.
Plastic -- Nextzett (formerly marketed as 1Z and/or Einszett) Cockpit Premium. I also use their Plastic Deep Cleaner for heavy stains, and for cleaning my lighter colored all-weather floor mats. I also use Plexus Plastic Cleaner to remove the fine scratches from the plood (plastic wood trim). It's crazy expensive now ($20+ a can), but I thought was only $10 typically.
Wheels -- I am not a fan of the caustic wheel cleaners, so I sealed my wheels with Chemical Guys Max Coat wheel sealant, and I just clean with the left over soapy car wash water after I wash the car. I use the Chemical Guys short-handled wheel brush to clean them (while you have to kneel down to use the short handle brush, you can get into tighter places than a long-handled brush).
Polish -- Menzerna Super Finish (SF-3500). Note this is not for applying by hand, rather you MUST apply via a dual-action polisher. This is an updated version of their Nano Polish, which was used by MB in the factories for years to address paint imperfections. It was designed for the harder paints that MB started using many years ago (to be more scratch resistant). This is detailing polish, so if you don't have a good dual-action polisher, you're better off finding a good detailer to do the polishing. Depending on your paint condition, you only need to do this every year or two.
Paint Sealer: I am a huge fan of the Wolfgang paint sealer -- I only need to do it spring and fall. For those that haven't used it yet, you really only use about 1-1/2 to 2 ounces to do the whole car. If you put it on thicker, it's just wasting the product, and the fact that it doesn't dry the same way as most liquids means you can take it off later without worries (and it comes off super easy). So I can do the whole car, then buff it off with a microfiber towel. Whatever spots I missed come off just as easily the following day and it doesn't stain black plastic trim (rather it just comes off). I even use it on the plastic headlight lenses so the water just beads off them.
Quick Detailer (and fresh bug remover) - Maguiar's Last Touch Detailer $25/gallon and a $5 spray bottle (if you don't have one) are my quick detailer. I use this on my SL 550 too, as those nice early evening rides collect lots of bugs...
Glass -- if you can't get Stoner Invisible Glass, Sprayway glass cleaner is what I use as well (we use it in the house too). It's about $2.50 - 3.00 a can and it is no ammonia (similar to Stoner) -- available at Home Depot, BJ's Wholesale (4 for $8) and I think several other chain stores now carry it. I've been using it for 30 years (when I ordered my detailing stuff from Beverly Hills Motoring). As noted above, use a microfiber towel on glass - spray the product on the towel, and then wipe the glass. Turn to a dry spot of the towel and wipe again to remove residue. Use a dedicated microfiber for glass -- do not use a microfiber you already wiped the dust off the dash with, or you'll be stuck with lint on the windows for quite a while... Also, never use paper towel as you'll end up with a film on the window as the cleaner dissolves whatever they use to make the paper towel... Since it's ammonia free, it's safe for plastic screens (e.g., my TVs at home and the plastic instrument cluster), just make sure you're using a newly washed microfiber as those screens are soft and scratch easily from anything that might be already on the towel. It's also fine to periodically clean the plastic dash / trim where you have soil / sticky stuff from the kids, etc.if you don't have a dedicated plastic cleaner.
Plastic -- Nextzett (formerly marketed as 1Z and/or Einszett) Cockpit Premium. I also use their Plastic Deep Cleaner for heavy stains, and for cleaning my lighter colored all-weather floor mats. I also use Plexus Plastic Cleaner to remove the fine scratches from the plood (plastic wood trim). It's crazy expensive now ($20+ a can), but I thought was only $10 typically.
Wheels -- I am not a fan of the caustic wheel cleaners, so I sealed my wheels with Chemical Guys Max Coat wheel sealant, and I just clean with the left over soapy car wash water after I wash the car. I use the Chemical Guys short-handled wheel brush to clean them (while you have to kneel down to use the short handle brush, you can get into tighter places than a long-handled brush).
Thanks for the input. I am really liking the Wolfgang sealant as well, and you are right a little goes a long way. I also use Sprayway and think it works really well, especially when you consider the price. I get it from my local Costco in a four pack. There are so many brands to choose from nowadays it can be a bit overwhelming. I really like the videos on YouTube from Apex Detailing, he does a good job comparing products.
I looked into Menzerna products since thats what MB factory uses. Their polish works really well. I use Klasse sealant to protect, good shine and durable. I use 303 Protectant on rubber/vinyl, good uv protection. Definitely use a pH-balanced wheel cleaner on your alloys, like P21s, Sonax, Griots. Stay away from any products containing silicone (usually the cheaper/mass market stuff) as it will eventually cause your paint to fail. A good orbital buffer will save you tons of time and effort with better results vs. doing by hand.
I looked into Menzerna products since thats what MB factory uses. Their polish works really well. I use Klasse sealant to protect, good shine and durable. I use 303 Protectant on rubber/vinyl, good uv protection. Definitely use a pH-balanced wheel cleaner on your alloys, like P21s, Sonax, Griots. Stay away from any products containing silicone (usually the cheaper/mass market stuff) as it will eventually cause your paint to fail. A good orbital buffer will save you tons of time and effort with better results vs. doing by hand.
All of those are good products, I’ll bet it looks good. I have a 2021 GLC 300 4matic on order and will be using the Menzerna SF 3800 on it once it arrives. Hoping it works well for enhancing the depth and clarity of the clear coat. I have a 15mm RA polisher that I’ll use. I’m still on the fence on what type of coating I’ll use after the enhancement. Looking at some of the new Graphene coatings. So many choices now days for detailing products it makes it fun to experiment.
All of those are good products, I’ll bet it looks good. I have a 2021 GLC 300 4matic on order and will be using the Menzerna SF 3800 on it once it arrives. Hoping it works well for enhancing the depth and clarity of the clear coat. I have a 15mm RA polisher that I’ll use. I’m still on the fence on what type of coating I’ll use after the enhancement. Looking at some of the new Graphene coatings. So many choices now days for detailing products it makes it fun to experiment.
I have done GYEON ceramic on my GLE and I am a very happy Customer! Highly recommend. Having said that, the graphene coatings that you mention are looking very promising as well.
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