S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

Taking Care of your LE

Old Apr 17, 2006 | 04:36 PM
  #1  
akburton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
98 Ford Explorer Limited, 2007 S550 LE
Taking Care of your LE

Has anyone handwashed there LE yet? If so what did you use?
Microfiber mit, sponge, sea sponge?
Microfiber towel, water blade?
Any specific type of applicator for cleaning the seats?
Anyone use Rain X or any other product on there Pano roof?
I'm getting ready to give my car it's first wash and detail. I purchased the MB wash kit, now I just need to get some washing applicators and towels for drying and cleaining the interior.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 04:59 PM
  #2  
JAdmiral's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
'07 S550, '03 FXDWG
Some people are fanatics about what they use and how they use it.

When I choose to wash my own car (not as often as I'd like), I'm not fanatical, but I can say I follow the following...

1) Car soap, not dishwashing soap
2) LOTS of water in the bucket to rinse both soaping and drying towels (some people put a false bottom to let the grit fall through to the real bottom
3) Regular towel to get bulk of water off car, but microfiber to finish.
4) NO waterblade (imagine dragging a small pebble across the surface)

Zaino products are great. They have a cult following for their products. Find them at www.zainostore.com
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 09:08 AM
  #3  
akburton's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
98 Ford Explorer Limited, 2007 S550 LE
Originally Posted by JAdmiral
Some people are fanatics about what they use and how they use it.

When I choose to wash my own car (not as often as I'd like), I'm not fanatical, but I can say I follow the following...

1) Car soap, not dishwashing soap
2) LOTS of water in the bucket to rinse both soaping and drying towels (some people put a false bottom to let the grit fall through to the real bottom
3) Regular towel to get bulk of water off car, but microfiber to finish.
4) NO waterblade (imagine dragging a small pebble across the surface)

Zaino products are great. They have a cult following for their products. Find them at www.zainostore.com
My boy is a car washing fanatic, I mean every weekend he washes his cars. He's in love with the california waterblade. I saw the 18" online somewhere for like 49.99, not happening at that price. I'm contemplating getting atleast two microfiber wash mits, a rack of microfiber towels, rock wool deap sea sponge (http://www.topoftheline.com/natwoolseasp.html) don't know if it's necessary or not.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 11:14 AM
  #4  
jmrdmd's Avatar
Member
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 5
From: NJ
2021 C63S Cabriolet, 2021 GLE53 Coupe, 2022 GT3 Touring, 2021 Taycan Turbo S, 2022 F-150 Lightning
I washed my LE for the first time last weekend.

I use the Zaino line of products. Great quality, Great results. Also, I dry the car with a Toro electric leaf blower and then micro fiber cloths. You look a little mental with the leaf blower but you get great results! Wheels, mirrors, door handels are all dry! Get your micro fiber products from Waynestowels.com not from the auto store. There is a big difference! Also, wash them alone and they will last! Lastly, the detailing message board here and at roadfly.org are awesome! Enough info to make your head explode!
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 12:20 PM
  #5  
rdtjr's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: chicago
2003 E500
Lambswool or microfiber mitt for washing.

Never wash in circles, always back and forth.

Separate bucket to rinse the mitt before dipping back into wash bucket. Rinse often.

Microfiber towels to dry.

Zaino products (including tire gloss) work well for my pewter E500. I use the leaf blower before applying the products to remove water from all the crevices. Don't usually use it otherwise. Your neighbors will think you've lost your mind.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2006 | 01:34 PM
  #6  
JAdmiral's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Southern California
'07 S550, '03 FXDWG
Oh ya! How could I forget! I also use a Metro Air Force Blaster.... MUCH stronger than a leaf blower to blow water out not just out of the cracks, but can blow dry the entire car!

http://www.properautocare.com/metairforbla.html

I got it for my Harley, but it'll work with anything. Comes with vacuum-like hose attachments to get all jobs done. The thing'll hurt your ears when you use it, but you're done quick!
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:07 AM.

story-0
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-4
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE