Benz-O-Rama

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.

bigben320e

Goodness.

Reminds me of why I always hand wash, two bucket method. Meguiars Gold Class.

Benz-O-Rama

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.

bigben320e

It should look awesome.

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.

sikhkd

That is horrible, reminded me of my last car when I didn't know much about washing.

IngenereAMG

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.

Sunir

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!

Benz-O-Rama

Waxing won't help that. You need to polish it, then protect with the wax of your choice. Completely different processes.

Sunir

agreed you def need to polish of some sort; even a scratch/swirl remover is a light abrasive...I've heard a few reputable detail shops actually lightly wet sand the clear to remove fine scratches/swirls before they buff the shine back and even add a sealer or wax (Menzerna followed by Pinnacle Soverign or some similar combo) to really make that deep gloss and shine re-appear.

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.

blazeone

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.

OPALW208

that is exactly right!

AMGfan

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.

Benz-O-Rama

Right. Sorta like treating the symptoms and not the disease.

C43AMG

You guys ever see the work "FMINUS" posts over in the detailing section?The guy can get a shine 10 feet deep on a mules a$$.

Behike

Nice to see you had it corrected. Your car's good as new now. Nothing worse than a carwash.

bigben320e

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?

Benz-O-Rama

Don't forget to clay it!

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.

Full Throttle

Where is this guy located?

Benz-O-Rama

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!

sound 8

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.

SterlingE55

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!

vizionclk430

Looks like d.j. worked his magic on the sl he told me about your car coming to him glad to see your car back to its glory and shine

Benz-O-Rama

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.

lewisracing

OMG, I almost threw up after seeing that first photo.

VCA_AMG

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!