SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Bad car wash!! BAD!!!
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Bad car wash!! BAD!!!
Had to hand over my SL600 to a local paint correction specialist. While the car was mostly mint, the previous owner had an obsession with keeping it clean, and that meant car washes. Most people have no idea what car washes are doing to their cars. The owners of black cars have a real good idea, but the silvers and whites of the world have no clue.
Even though the car showed minimal/moderate swirling in sunlight, once he started to prep the car and got it under some halogens, the true effect of car washes becomes painfully obvious.
He's also stating damage from someone "attempting" to detail it. This is why I never trust my cars to people that call themselves detailers, but don't do paint correction. I tend to consider those guys as kids with a buffer and can of turtle wax.
This is gonna be about a 3-4 (with New Year's Holiday) day job, but as you can see from the one tiny panel, the results are going to be nothing less than phenomenal, considering the starting canvas.
Should have it back by week's end with write up and pics.
Even though the car showed minimal/moderate swirling in sunlight, once he started to prep the car and got it under some halogens, the true effect of car washes becomes painfully obvious.
He's also stating damage from someone "attempting" to detail it. This is why I never trust my cars to people that call themselves detailers, but don't do paint correction. I tend to consider those guys as kids with a buffer and can of turtle wax.
This is gonna be about a 3-4 (with New Year's Holiday) day job, but as you can see from the one tiny panel, the results are going to be nothing less than phenomenal, considering the starting canvas.
Should have it back by week's end with write up and pics.
Last edited by Benz-O-Rama; Dec 29, 2009 at 07:32 PM.
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CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
Goodness.
Reminds me of why I always hand wash, two bucket method. Meguiars Gold Class.
Reminds me of why I always hand wash, two bucket method. Meguiars Gold Class.
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Can't wait to see the final results. He said that people normally hug him when they see their cars.
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CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
Yep, same here. But keep in mind, this can happen with improper hand wash and hand drying too. Two buckets are a huge help, but the materials touching the paint is the real key. You should never use anything other than microfiber to wash and a waffle weave to dry.
Can't wait to see the final results. He said that people normally hug him when they see their cars.
Can't wait to see the final results. He said that people normally hug him when they see their cars.
I use Microfiber mitts, and a microfiber drying towel. I try to change my mitts out every few months. Even still I have some light swirl marks, but I will have to do a nice wax job to get that out.
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Silvers and reds can show swirls too! Fortunately I am neurotic enough that none of my cars have even a hint of a swirl!
Good luck with restoration work.
Good luck with restoration work.
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From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
Black cars show imperfections and swirls BUT when detailed perfectly with a deep rich shine...there's nothing like a black car for sure! my diamond silver metallic (iridium) shows really deeply also when clean moreso then the brilliant silver but I always loved reds, deep blues, and darker colors on cars...with the exception of yellow which I love cause it just screams out!
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Waxing won't help that. You need to polish it, then protect with the wax of your choice. Completely different processes.
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From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
I've heard good things about the Klasse AIO product as well followed by a good sealant for a long lasting durable and deep gloss finish.
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From: Houston, TX
2010 E350
Waxing can help in that it fills in the sharp edges of the scratches which makes them less reflective and therefore less noticable.
However, as you were eluding to, wax will not correct the scratch only a compound/polish will.
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From: The Bay
SL55, C63
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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)
Looking good BOR!!! If you guys have never had a paint correction process done on your car, it is a must to do at least once. It is amazing how bad our paint is even coming from the dealership.
I've had this done on my SL and E and plan to do it at least twice a year. It is pricey and done right it will take several days...BUT worth it.
I've had this done on my SL and E and plan to do it at least twice a year. It is pricey and done right it will take several days...BUT worth it.
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Right. Sorta like treating the symptoms and not the disease.
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From: Blasting off!
CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
1. Cleaner Wax
2. Polish
3. Wax
Right now I have a PC, and use the Meguairs 6, 7, and 26 to finish. A lot of people are telling me about Swissvax, (their wheel wax, which I use to wax my wheels and works great) for waxing, Klasse, and Pinnacle. Not sure if these are that much better, any use Swissvax or Pinnacle?
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
You are right, I suppose I should have detailed it a little more. When I do a wax job this is my process:
1. Cleaner Wax
2. Polish
3. Wax
Right now I have a PC, and use the Meguairs 6, 7, and 26 to finish. A lot of people are telling me about Swissvax, (their wheel wax, which I use to wax my wheels and works great) for waxing, Klasse, and Pinnacle. Not sure if these are that much better, any use Swissvax or Pinnacle?
1. Cleaner Wax
2. Polish
3. Wax
Right now I have a PC, and use the Meguairs 6, 7, and 26 to finish. A lot of people are telling me about Swissvax, (their wheel wax, which I use to wax my wheels and works great) for waxing, Klasse, and Pinnacle. Not sure if these are that much better, any use Swissvax or Pinnacle?
Just got word from my detailer, and I can pick it up tonight. He put 18 hours into it to get it sorted out. Can't wait to see it. He's gonna do a full write up on autopia.org, so I'll post it here with before/after and 50/50 shots. Plus a list of products and procedures used.
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Fredericksburg, Va.
He's about 100 miles from me, if that tells you anything about the kind of work he does. Thinking about it, it's cost me 600 vehicle miles to get there and back.
200 (100X2) for My SL and wife in trail car.
100 back to house in wife's car
100 back to pick it up
200 (100X2) back home in both cars.
That should REALLY tell you something about the kind of work he does!
He's about 100 miles from me, if that tells you anything about the kind of work he does. Thinking about it, it's cost me 600 vehicle miles to get there and back.
200 (100X2) for My SL and wife in trail car.
100 back to house in wife's car
100 back to pick it up
200 (100X2) back home in both cars.
That should REALLY tell you something about the kind of work he does!
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From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
There are car wash machines or as I beleive, drive your car down to the car wash. I wouldn't go anywhere near a mechanical car wash, even in a dust cart. But I always got the impression that all or nearly all car washes in the States were done by hand!! Seen the film.
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55, 2012 Jeep SRT, 2008 G37s 6MT (The Mrs.), 2005 Explorer
I'm getting ready to do paint correction on mine. This maybe the worst thing about buying a black car used. Most people don't know how to care for them. HATE!
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Yep, DJ did his thing. Picked it up last night and it looks amazing. Even though I picked it up at night, which he didn't want me to do, you could really see the paint pop. Can't wait to see it in the daylight today.
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From: So Cal
2018 E63S Wagon
I've owned black cars in the past, and know what you mean about car washes. Horrible, horrible for the paint.
Nothing like a clean, well waxed black car when it's clean...but man, are they a pain to keep in pristine condition!
BTW I'm a big Griots Garage fan now that I own pretty much everything they make. Their random orbital & pads are pretty amazing. I've woken up 10+yr old paintjobs that should have been sent to the grave with their stuff.
Good polish/wax products & the correct application technique makes all the difference.
Can't wait to see pics of the revived beast!
Nothing like a clean, well waxed black car when it's clean...but man, are they a pain to keep in pristine condition!
BTW I'm a big Griots Garage fan now that I own pretty much everything they make. Their random orbital & pads are pretty amazing. I've woken up 10+yr old paintjobs that should have been sent to the grave with their stuff.
Good polish/wax products & the correct application technique makes all the difference.
Can't wait to see pics of the revived beast!
