SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: Ceramic coating vs film protection vs paint sealant vs wax

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Old 04-12-2019, 01:32 AM
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AFAIK it should be lovely and glossy !
Old 04-12-2019, 02:36 AM
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Well, mine is absolutely not glossy. I hope your basing this on experience Rory. I'm going to go back to the shop tomorrow.
I guess worst case is they refuse me and I get stuck with a $2k color sand and buff.
Geeze what a mess.
I posted this on the private lounge AMG forum as well.
Here is a pic after he buffed it that he sent me but before he applied the ceramic.(which looked great)

Old 04-12-2019, 03:28 AM
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Originally Posted by scrufy
Well, mine is absolutely not glossy. I hope your basing this on experience Rory. I'm going to go back to the shop tomorrow.
I guess worst case is they refuse me and I get stuck with a $2k color sand and buff.
Geeze what a mess.
I posted this on the private lounge AMG forum as well.
Here is a pic after he buffed it that he sent me but before he applied the ceramic.(which looked great)
My son has recently had his new E53 AMG done and it has a lovely gloss - was immediate - no curing time .

What did the installer tell you?
Old 04-12-2019, 03:29 AM
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Originally Posted by scrufy
Well, mine is absolutely not glossy. I hope your basing this on experience Rory. I'm going to go back to the shop tomorrow.
I guess worst case is they refuse me and I get stuck with a $2k color sand and buff.
Geeze what a mess.
I posted this on the private lounge AMG forum as well.
Here is a pic after he buffed it that he sent me but before he applied the ceramic.(which looked great)
Where is a pic with the ceramic ---- the fact that he sent you a 'before' picture does not leave him any wriggle room!

Hope you get it sorted.

My job today is to polish with Carlack68 and then seal with Carlack Long Life.

Last edited by rorywquin; 04-12-2019 at 03:33 AM.
Old 04-12-2019, 08:42 AM
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Although my car is done, it's still at the shop as I wanted it to fully cure before I took it home. The curing time is 72 hours. These three photos of my SL were sent to me by the shop owner, two days ago. I pick it up later this afternoon. By the way, the total cost to me was $1200. I'll post better photos, once the car is here and the weather cooperates.






Old 04-12-2019, 12:21 PM
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Late afternoon sun. Funny swirls are the frosted glass windows. Will take some outdoors tomorrow when I have finished....Bonnet (hood) only. Left side Carlack68, Right side Carlack68 and then topped with Carlack LongLife. Can't see the difference myself but it gives added protection - seems to last 6 to 8 months. Longlife can be layered and as it is so easy I might do 2 coats tomorrow.
The car is not a garage queen but I do not commute daily either - just use it when I need it in any conditions.

Last edited by rorywquin; 04-12-2019 at 02:47 PM.
Old 04-12-2019, 02:45 PM
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I took it back and he is working on it. I'll pick it back up tonight or tomorrow. I think he is going to have to remove(ugh) and re do it.
Old 04-12-2019, 02:46 PM
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OMG. I would not be a happy bunny!
Old 04-12-2019, 05:29 PM
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Jetjok, your car looks amazing! Which brand of ceramic coating did you have applied?
Old 04-12-2019, 05:32 PM
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[QUOTE=jetjok;7730141]Although my car is done, it's still at the shop as I wanted it to fully cure before I took it home. The curing time is 72 hours. These three photos of my SL were sent to me by the shop owner, two days ago. I pick it up later this afternoon. By the way, the total cost to me was $1200. I'll post better photos, once the car is here and the weather cooperates.





[/

Jetjok, your car looks amazing! Which brand of ceramic coating did you have applied?
Old 04-12-2019, 10:58 PM
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Ok he fixed it. He had to re-do the whole thing but the end result came out great.
I guess he was at least a little better off because he didn't bake it under lights and it wasn't done curing so a little easier to get off.
Here is the end result.



*sigh
you cant imagine the relief I have now.
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Old 04-13-2019, 10:32 PM
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SLclass, the brand they used was Element119, and the specific product was their "Diamond." Here's a link to their site: https://www.element119.com/

The car came out spectacular, and he went above and beyond by doing a great detailing of the inside of the car too. I really couldn't be happier. He wants it back in a few weeks to examine it to make sure that everything is still perfect. As well, he says that at that time, he's going to do a wash, using some ceramic washing cleansers. At that time I'll have him explain exactly what I should and shouldn't do, to keep the finish looking fantastic. Here's a few additional photos. Sorry, it was an overcast day yesterday when I brought it home.
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Old 04-13-2019, 11:06 PM
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Jet, your car looks amazing!
Actually mine does too, but I’m seeing there might be a little “detailer favoritism”.
You bring and “S” in and get fantastic treatment, hold the car, cures it, explains everything. I bring in a C class and basically get a call, “yeah, it’s done, come pick it up, don’t wash it this week”!

just kidding of course, but it does spotlight how important choosing a shop to do the work is.
i researched mine, but in hindsight I should have selected a shop that would keep the vehicle until it was ready.
Old 04-14-2019, 04:20 PM
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I was at an AMG / MB meet up today. I asked several people to compare my 'ceramic' to the other ceramic coatings. Result was nobody realised that mine is not ceramic and it looked better than some other ceramic jobs.....
Old 04-14-2019, 05:29 PM
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I keep my all (3) of my MB's garaged when not in use and just wax each of them with Meguiar's Cleaner Wax 2-3 times per year with proper car washes in-betwen.. That has worked very well for me for many years now, so I plan to just stick with it.

I owned a Brilliant Silver Metallic 2003 SL 500 for over 15 years, and it retained it's 'brand new paint' look for that entire period of ownership. Still own a 2006 CL 55 AMG in Brilliant Silver Metallic and the same thing can be said for it.

Last edited by bob55; 04-14-2019 at 05:38 PM.
Old 04-14-2019, 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by jetjok




SLclass, the brand they used was Element119, and the specific product was their "Diamond." Here's a link to their site: https://www.element119.com/

The car came out spectacular, and he went above and beyond by doing a great detailing of the inside of the car too. I really couldn't be happier. He wants it back in a few weeks to examine it to make sure that everything is still perfect. As well, he says that at that time, he's going to do a wash, using some ceramic washing cleansers. At that time I'll have him explain exactly what I should and shouldn't do, to keep the finish looking fantastic. Here's a few additional photos. Sorry, it was an overcast day yesterday when I brought it home.
Very smart move, Jetjok! You will enjoy the many advantages of having a professional grade ceramic coating!
Old 04-14-2019, 10:23 PM
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Quite stunning. Gotta get that done to mine.
Old 05-22-2019, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by jetjok



SLclass, the brand they used was Element119, and the specific product was their "Diamond." Here's a link to their site: https://www.element119.com/

The car came out spectacular, and he went above and beyond by doing a great detailing of the inside of the car too. I really couldn't be happier. He wants it back in a few weeks to examine it to make sure that everything is still perfect. As well, he says that at that time, he's going to do a wash, using some ceramic washing cleansers. At that time I'll have him explain exactly what I should and shouldn't do, to keep the finish looking fantastic. Here's a few additional photos. Sorry, it was an overcast day yesterday when I brought it home.
That's an excellent tip, thanks.

Last edited by eddieo45; 05-22-2019 at 06:31 PM.
Old 05-23-2019, 09:26 AM
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I know that many, (if not most), MB Dealers offer 'Paint Protection Services' at the time of a new car purchase, and often when selling a CPO as well!.

Does anyone know if those "Paint Protection Services' involve the use of a ceramic coating?

If not ceramic coatings, then just what type of protection product is being used by MB Dealers for those "Paint Protection' Services?....

Last edited by bob55; 05-23-2019 at 01:01 PM.
Old 05-24-2019, 10:23 AM
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Does anyone know what the MB Dealers are using?.........
Old 05-24-2019, 11:48 AM
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To me it is more about the rock chip protection- here in Texas EVERYTHING seems to be under construction with gravel trucks on the roads 24/7- so for that- Xpel is probably better than ceramic?

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