original thread motivated me to buff-polish my car. It's a lot of work to polish a black car correctly.. 
SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Well, so much for my beautiful paint correction. ARGH!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Well, so much for my beautiful paint correction. ARGH!
After my paint correction, my car's paint was damn near perfect. Unbelievable what my detailer was able to do.
Well, yesterday I decided to get my windows tinted, I also had the tint shop smoke the headlamp lenses and fog lights. This is all in preparation for the arrival of my new wheels, which I had some custom matte black accents added.
Anyway, the car was dirty from getting caught in just a tiny bit of wet weather. Just enough to put a nice coat of rain and road dirt over the entire car. I dropped it off at the tint shop in that condition.
I should mention that I've used this place for my last 6 cars and have crowed about them very loudly.
Well, the Einstein that installed the film, decided it'd be a good idea to wipe down the areas of my paint that he got wet during the install. This included the hood, above the headlights. Both A and C-pillars and for good measure, he took a nice swipe across my trunk. The owner of the shop is giving me the normal compliments on the car, about how great the tint looks and the headlights were a nice touch etc.....I walk into the area where they're storing the car, the first thing I see is the clean portions of the paint where it was wiped. I take a deep breath, swallow the lump in my throat and see this:
After some discussion with the owner, they've decided to pay for the repair.
Hopefully, it just needs a 1-step polish then sealant to get it back to what it was.
**sigh**
Well, yesterday I decided to get my windows tinted, I also had the tint shop smoke the headlamp lenses and fog lights. This is all in preparation for the arrival of my new wheels, which I had some custom matte black accents added.
Anyway, the car was dirty from getting caught in just a tiny bit of wet weather. Just enough to put a nice coat of rain and road dirt over the entire car. I dropped it off at the tint shop in that condition.
I should mention that I've used this place for my last 6 cars and have crowed about them very loudly.
Well, the Einstein that installed the film, decided it'd be a good idea to wipe down the areas of my paint that he got wet during the install. This included the hood, above the headlights. Both A and C-pillars and for good measure, he took a nice swipe across my trunk. The owner of the shop is giving me the normal compliments on the car, about how great the tint looks and the headlights were a nice touch etc.....I walk into the area where they're storing the car, the first thing I see is the clean portions of the paint where it was wiped. I take a deep breath, swallow the lump in my throat and see this:
After some discussion with the owner, they've decided to pay for the repair.
Hopefully, it just needs a 1-step polish then sealant to get it back to what it was.
**sigh**
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
It was very difficult for me not to blow up. But, obviously it wasn't intentional and I kept that in mind. It just stung a bit because I literally JUST got the paint fixed. Oh, it's a good thing my detailer is close. Only 100 miles away. 
Thanks for the condolences
Thanks for the condolences
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
100 miles.....man that sux.I would boil the whole drive there.I remember the post when you had it done - 2 cars down , 2 cars back 400 miles total.If you have the receipt for the 1st detail I'd have the tint shop contribute to the gas bill or something...that shouldn't come out of your pocket.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
100 miles.....man that sux.I would boil the whole drive there.I remember the post when you had it done - 2 cars down , 2 cars back 400 miles total.If you have the receipt for the 1st detail I'd have the tint shop contribute to the gas bill or something...that shouldn't come out of your pocket.
Last edited by Benz-O-Rama; Jan 30, 2010 at 12:40 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
That's cool.Good to see that you and your detailer have a good relationship.It's a shame that installers don't take the time to recognize when someone takes the time to look after their car.Unfortunately alot of them have the "assembly line " process in their heads - "ok , next".
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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
Possibly tomorrow, it's snowing here at a pretty good clip and it's already dark outside. It turned out pretty good, I think. They used Lamin-X in gunsmoke color. They tucked the film all the way up underneath the rubber gasket up top.
Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 157
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From: Bruges, Belgiummmmmm!(chocolates)
2003 sl 55 amg, 2010 RRS TDV8
I feel you. Not everyone is up that level of 'taking good care of things'. Piece of cake for your detailer. This should never have happened. Good luck and let them pay for the detail. 
Not everyone is up that level of 'taking good care of things'. Piece of cake for your detailer. This should never have happened. Good luck and let them pay for the detail.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
Oh my god That would really finish me off.
I took my SL55 in for a main dealer service once, when I collected it, it looked
like yours. I found out they took it through a CAR CLEANER
Now when ever I take anything anywhere, I leave an A4 sheet of paper on the seat, saying DO NOT CLEAN.
it works.
That would really finish me off.I took my SL55 in for a main dealer service once, when I collected it, it looked
like yours. I found out they took it through a CAR CLEANER
Now when ever I take anything anywhere, I leave an A4 sheet of paper on the seat, saying DO NOT CLEAN.
it works.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
5:00 picture with an iPhone. This pic makes them look pretty dark, but in the daylight, they're much lighter. Lumen output does not seem to be measurably affected.
Once I get my wheels, and get her all cleaned up, a local shutterbug is gonna take some proper pics.
Once I get my wheels, and get her all cleaned up, a local shutterbug is gonna take some proper pics.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 8,137
Likes: 26
From: Maryland
Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
http://www.lamin-x.com/
It's a fairly thick film. When you get it done, open you hood and show them that you want it tucked all the way up underneath the rubber gasket. Take a look, you'll see what I mean. That way you don't see the dmarc where the film ends.
