SL/R230: Full paint correction on my SL600 - PICS
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Full paint correction on my SL600 - PICS
After numerous car washes and what appears to be an attempt at a detail by the previous owner, I had to hand my keys over to DJ Mayo and Reflections-Detailing in Northern Virginia.
Although, the car didn't look horrible, once he stripped all of the wax and who knows what else was on there, the condition of the paint was worse than either of us thought. The ceramic clear coats on these cars are particularly tricky, but luckily DJ has the experience and was up to the task.
Since it was so overcast this week and literally 21* with 40 mph winds, he didn't take many outdoor shots. We had negative degree wind chills, so I don't blame him. But here are some action shots and one 50/50 shot.
If you look at the last picture, that really shows the type of work he does. The entire car looks exactly like that. It's such a dramatic difference from when the car was dropped off. All in all, he spent right around 20 hours on this car.
It's covered up and connected to a trickle charger until the weather clears up. I'll take a few outside sun shots when I pull her back out of hibernation. It's so hard to get good indoor shots, so these aren't the best, but the two outdoor shots really show what he was able to do with my car. Simply amazing.
Only hood and top of fender done!
All you really need to know is right here. The entire car looks like this now. Just simply amazing.
Although, the car didn't look horrible, once he stripped all of the wax and who knows what else was on there, the condition of the paint was worse than either of us thought. The ceramic clear coats on these cars are particularly tricky, but luckily DJ has the experience and was up to the task.
Since it was so overcast this week and literally 21* with 40 mph winds, he didn't take many outdoor shots. We had negative degree wind chills, so I don't blame him. But here are some action shots and one 50/50 shot.
If you look at the last picture, that really shows the type of work he does. The entire car looks exactly like that. It's such a dramatic difference from when the car was dropped off. All in all, he spent right around 20 hours on this car.
It's covered up and connected to a trickle charger until the weather clears up. I'll take a few outside sun shots when I pull her back out of hibernation. It's so hard to get good indoor shots, so these aren't the best, but the two outdoor shots really show what he was able to do with my car. Simply amazing.
Only hood and top of fender done!
All you really need to know is right here. The entire car looks like this now. Just simply amazing.
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
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From: In a VAN down by the river
His wifes head hard into the headboard nightly!!
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
IT is a MUST at least once...BOR...how do you like your black Beast now? The hard part now is finding a detailer who can wash it correctly if you don't do it yourself...
I had to re-educate myself on the correct method to wash a car...luckily my current detailer (not the one who did the paint correction on my SL65 and E55) is as an(n)al as me about washing a car...
I had to re-educate myself on the correct method to wash a car...luckily my current detailer (not the one who did the paint correction on my SL65 and E55) is as an(n)al as me about washing a car...
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
The job booked out at $1200.00, but I got a discount because I drove 100 miles to him and let him keep my car for a few days.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
IT is a MUST at least once...BOR...how do you like your black Beast now? The hard part now is finding a detailer who can wash it correctly if you don't do it yourself...
I had to re-educate myself on the correct method to wash a car...luckily my current detailer (not the one who did the paint correction on my SL65 and E55) is as an(n)al as me about washing a car...
I had to re-educate myself on the correct method to wash a car...luckily my current detailer (not the one who did the paint correction on my SL65 and E55) is as an(n)al as me about washing a car...
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to enjoy it. After picking it up from my detailer, I drove the 100 miles home, dusted it off and it's been under a cover and hooked to it's battery tender ever since. Our roads, like many in the country right now, have a nice coating of salt and road treatment chemicals that I don't feel comfortable subjecting my freshly polished car to. I need it to warm up, and get a nice heavy rain to clear the roads before I can even think about taking it out.
I also have a set of 2007 AMG tail lights that I'm waiting to install. It's just too damn cold in my garage.
Last edited by Benz-O-Rama; Jan 11, 2010 at 10:17 PM.
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porsche 928
IF he sincerely worked 20 hours (and I could seriously imagine that he did)
And he did do the inside and motor and all - Thats just too much !
I would say AT MAX!!!!!!! (considering I know what I could get for $150.00- i know its not the same) BUT i could have him take three times as long - I would say $450-650.00.
But it came out great and sometimes you get what you pay for....we've all learned one time or another.-- Joe Cat
And he did do the inside and motor and all - Thats just too much !
I would say AT MAX!!!!!!! (considering I know what I could get for $150.00- i know its not the same) BUT i could have him take three times as long - I would say $450-650.00.
But it came out great and sometimes you get what you pay for....we've all learned one time or another.-- Joe Cat
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From: Germany
SL R230
it depends also which products he took !!! take a look at the products of Swizöl (http://www.swizol.com/) and you will understand that such a job is not cheap, with Swizöl products 1200 is normal.......again, it depends also on the products he took....thats the question.....
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
IF he sincerely worked 20 hours (and I could seriously imagine that he did)
And he did do the inside and motor and all - Thats just too much !
I would say AT MAX!!!!!!! (considering I know what I could get for $150.00- i know its not the same) BUT i could have him take three times as long - I would say $450-650.00.
But it came out great and sometimes you get what you pay for....we've all learned one time or another.-- Joe Cat
And he did do the inside and motor and all - Thats just too much !
I would say AT MAX!!!!!!! (considering I know what I could get for $150.00- i know its not the same) BUT i could have him take three times as long - I would say $450-650.00.
But it came out great and sometimes you get what you pay for....we've all learned one time or another.-- Joe Cat
Is this what you do, professionally?
I've had the $150.00 detail done too on other cars. It's not even close.
Last edited by Benz-O-Rama; Jan 11, 2010 at 12:57 PM.
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From: Germany
SL R230
If you want a good job done, you will have to pay for it...here also....working hours and cost for the material will not be cheap at the end...but the result will be really excellent !
(it doesn't mean that paying a lot gives you a superb quality.....)
(it doesn't mean that paying a lot gives you a superb quality.....)
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From: Tampa, Florida
06 SL65 / 97 993tt /11 Suburban/ 2012 GTR (AMG è la mia Famiglia la Bestia è la mia protezione)
It's impossible for you to say what it should've cost without seeing the car. Also, as I stated, I did not pay the full $1200.00, but that it what the job booked out at. And yes, he did do the engine, interior, trunk, wheel wells, etc.....
Is this what you do, professionally?
I've had the $150.00 detail done too on other cars. It's not even close.
Is this what you do, professionally?
I've had the $150.00 detail done too on other cars. It's not even close.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...-flawless.html
http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/pr...-sl65-amg.html
It is pricey but to get the most out of the paint finish of our cars it should be done at least once a year.
Last edited by AMGfan; Jan 11, 2010 at 05:23 PM.
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
As BOR stated, paint correction is a different type of animal vs a "complete detail" done by a carwash or mobile service. My paint correction guy charges $35.00 an hour (some guys charge more based on experience) and he spent close to an average of about 20 hours between my three cars. He charged me a special rate of $400 for each car to get word of mouth since he was new...which is a STEAL. If charged hourly, I would have not paid less than $500 and as much as much as $800.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...-flawless.html
http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/pr...-sl65-amg.html
It is pricey but to get the most out of the paint finish of our cars it should be done at least once a year.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...-flawless.html
http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/pr...-sl65-amg.html
It is pricey but to get the most out of the paint finish of our cars it should be done at least once a year.
You mean all that work didn't cost only $150.00?
Your car came out amazing. That shine looks familiar.
Your before shots and my before shots are not even close. My car was jacked up.
Anyway, my guy charges $60.00 per hour. He's one of the few people in the DC Metro area that has experience working with these tricky MB ceramic clear coats. However, he gave me a very good discount for two reasons. 1. I had to drive 100 miles to see him and 2., The car didn't look as bad at initial meeting. It was covered in dirt, and the big problems weren't evident until he starting working the paint. The entire car took a two-step process with many spots needing 4 and even 5 steps to get straight. We initially thought that a two-step only would do it. Even though it took him 20 hours, he didn't bill me for the total amount. I paid less than $800.00.
And it was worth every penny.
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From: Sacramento, CA
SL500
AMGFan and BOR your cars are BEAUTIFUL!!! But I must ask, is it very nerve racking to drive them? I have a silver SL and that is a very forgiving color but I still stress out over it. I always clean the whole car after a drive. And make sure I do not follow any cars too closely for fear of rock chips, etc. But even with all my precautions I still get little nicks and spots on my paint. I could only imagine with your guys' cars that must be ten fold.
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07 S550 & 05 SL55
that finish looks great
to the guy saying 150 i gotta laugh at that
i currently own 3 black cars and 2 black motorcycles and i can easily spend 6 hours detailing any one of my cars and they get washed atleast once a month and waxed every other
the sand and salt on the eastcoast is killer
glad to see that thing shiny
to the guy saying 150 i gotta laugh at that
i currently own 3 black cars and 2 black motorcycles and i can easily spend 6 hours detailing any one of my cars and they get washed atleast once a month and waxed every other
the sand and salt on the eastcoast is killer
glad to see that thing shiny
Thread Starter
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
AMGFan and BOR your cars are BEAUTIFUL!!! But I must ask, is it very nerve racking to drive them? I have a silver SL and that is a very forgiving color but I still stress out over it. I always clean the whole car after a drive. And make sure I do not follow any cars too closely for fear of rock chips, etc. But even with all my precautions I still get little nicks and spots on my paint. I could only imagine with your guys' cars that must be ten fold.
So yeah, completely nerve racking with puddles, rocks etc. I'm sure once it get dirty a bunch of times, I'll loosen up. It's a good thing I've got a few cars to choose from when I leave my house. If I had to drive it everyday, I'd be a nervous wreck.
Thread Starter
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
