Hitting the streets of Atlanta
#101
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Clay, Buff, Wax, SHINE!
Let me steer this thread from break downs and *****ing to mods and cool stuff
Tuesday I broke out wash bucket and some polish and got to work. I have read SheriffDept posts and watched quite a few videos on YouTube on paint correction. I have never done buffing or any "correction" I was a bit nervous about burning the paint, swirling it more, or really messing something up.
I got to work and here is what came off part of the trunk:
I was a bit shocked since I wash and wax it every weekend. So I decided to try the hood! Which was a bit scratched and has some deposits on it. FYI this came off a 2X2' area on the front part of the hood. I had to use quite a bit of clay on my car...it was durty.
After 3 bars of clay and two bottles of the spray I had a clean template and the paint was already looking A LOT better. I broke out the polishing compound and a cutting pad (whatever it was...it worked). After going over the car twice and focusing on areas that really needed it I ended up with a killer shine, but still had a few problems. I did two coats of high speed wax then went over it with a hand polish for all the tight areas. I ended up with a scratch free, swirl free, and incredibly deep shine. I had no idea Techtite had this much metallic in it. Sparkles in the sun now!
My supercharger was looking a bit dirty as well. I had some old steel brushes and some Simple Green. I started brushing and restored the "pourous" aluminum finish of the SC. It really brightened up the engine bay. Took me about 25 minutes and used small and large brushes to get along the sides of the surge tanks and throttle body area.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Tuesday I broke out wash bucket and some polish and got to work. I have read SheriffDept posts and watched quite a few videos on YouTube on paint correction. I have never done buffing or any "correction" I was a bit nervous about burning the paint, swirling it more, or really messing something up.
I got to work and here is what came off part of the trunk:
I was a bit shocked since I wash and wax it every weekend. So I decided to try the hood! Which was a bit scratched and has some deposits on it. FYI this came off a 2X2' area on the front part of the hood. I had to use quite a bit of clay on my car...it was durty.
After 3 bars of clay and two bottles of the spray I had a clean template and the paint was already looking A LOT better. I broke out the polishing compound and a cutting pad (whatever it was...it worked). After going over the car twice and focusing on areas that really needed it I ended up with a killer shine, but still had a few problems. I did two coats of high speed wax then went over it with a hand polish for all the tight areas. I ended up with a scratch free, swirl free, and incredibly deep shine. I had no idea Techtite had this much metallic in it. Sparkles in the sun now!
My supercharger was looking a bit dirty as well. I had some old steel brushes and some Simple Green. I started brushing and restored the "pourous" aluminum finish of the SC. It really brightened up the engine bay. Took me about 25 minutes and used small and large brushes to get along the sides of the surge tanks and throttle body area.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Last edited by 2000UZJ; 02-02-2015 at 11:00 AM.
#102
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Leatherique
Yesterday I decided to hit my seats (except driver seat due to time). I ordered a bottle of the Rejuvenator Oil and the Cleaner. I sprayed the Rejuvenator Oil on the seats and used my hand to massage into the leather. I had the heat on full blast to get the leather soft and help the oil absorb in. I did 3 heavy coats and waited 1 hour between applications. I then shut the car off and let it cool down and used a terry cloth to wipe the residue off the seats. I got A LOT of skin oils and garbage off the seats. The back seats were dirty, but the front passenger seat was nasty. It was a film of brown on the towel (body oil and clothing stains). The seats look and feel like brand new. I can't wait to do the driver seat tomorrow on my day off. It reduced all the creases. The oil and the cleaner is still pushing oils and dirt out of the leather today so I am having to wipe it down quite frequently. I am amazed at this stuff. I do it again in a few months.
#106
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Meh. I got tired of the CLS rims and didn't want to spend $3,000 on a set of rims. Since that's 25% of the value of my car right now. They look great and time will tell. I don't plan on twisting a spoke on these.
Last edited by 2000UZJ; 02-17-2015 at 11:47 AM.
#108
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Track day on June 8th at Road Atlanta. I plan on booking a few hours of track time. I am on the hunt for OEM 18's to throw a set of tires on.
I just installed the DTE Pedal Box...holy moly it's awesome!!!
I just installed the DTE Pedal Box...holy moly it's awesome!!!
#110
MBWorld Fanatic!
Road Atlanta is cool. I got to do the AMG driving Academy there back in 2010. We drove SLSs and CKL63 BS on the track. I loved the esses and always felt a bit uneasy aiming for a point on the bridge when going around the final turn that blindly crests a hill before hitting the main straight away.
#111
Junior Member
#112
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Si Señor
It's a great track. First time for the E so I am not sure what to expect besides a cloud of smoke at the exit of each turn and overheated brakes
I can't wait!
245/35/19 on a 8.5" rim upfront and 275/30/19 on a 9.5" rim on the rear
Road Atlanta is cool. I got to do the AMG driving Academy there back in 2010. We drove SLSs and CKL63 BS on the track. I loved the esses and always felt a bit uneasy aiming for a point on the bridge when going around the final turn that blindly crests a hill before hitting the main straight away.
I can't wait!
245/35/19 on a 8.5" rim upfront and 275/30/19 on a 9.5" rim on the rear
#113
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Sourced a set of 18" OEM wheels and tires for the summer track events. I need to do the following to help the Nose heavy, tail happy, brake overheating beast out!
First order of business is brake cooling. I plan on removing the fog lights and routing brake ducts with a split hear the end. One going into the caliper and the other passing over the rotor. I expect this to help reduce the brake fluid temps. Being a electronic braking system brake fade is a bit...immediate without warning.
The SBC Unit also needs additional cooling and will take some thought on how to route air ducts to that area. I thought of tapping into the passenger side air intake but that will take away air going into the engine. May remove the passenger high beam for addition air flow into the engine bay. Thoughts?
The supercharger unit also needs more airflow. This will be the ultimate feat, routing air ducts from somewhere underneath, up through the chassis.
All in all, I am going to get as much air to the brakes as possible. That's my biggest need right now.
Updates to come as I gather supplies
First order of business is brake cooling. I plan on removing the fog lights and routing brake ducts with a split hear the end. One going into the caliper and the other passing over the rotor. I expect this to help reduce the brake fluid temps. Being a electronic braking system brake fade is a bit...immediate without warning.
The SBC Unit also needs additional cooling and will take some thought on how to route air ducts to that area. I thought of tapping into the passenger side air intake but that will take away air going into the engine. May remove the passenger high beam for addition air flow into the engine bay. Thoughts?
The supercharger unit also needs more airflow. This will be the ultimate feat, routing air ducts from somewhere underneath, up through the chassis.
All in all, I am going to get as much air to the brakes as possible. That's my biggest need right now.
Updates to come as I gather supplies
#114
Member
I love the DTE Pedel box. I've beed ripping and running and settled on the same setting that you have. Gotta turn it off when the wife drives though.
#118
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
BIP installed a moar loud exhaust setup. It was pretty bland before. Even poking around town the stock exhaust was a solid "meh" at best. I don't live far from BIP, but I took the longest way I could find home and enjoyed every moment. I just need to start saving for some MBH
Last edited by 2000UZJ; 04-08-2015 at 08:32 AM.
#120
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
#122
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Just hit 91,200 miles. Running like a champ!
Gearing up for the summer I have wrapped the underside of the OEM airbox with DEI Heat tape, the Y-Pipe for the throttle body and the tops (not sure if that will do anything but I had quite a bit left. I plan on doing the split cooling res and the SBC unit that is closest to the engine.
I also had the guy at the dealership put some 50% 3M Ceramic tint on the front windshield. All my cars have tinted windshields. I hate wearing sunglasses and I don't like the visors soooooooo tint it is.
It will be going back into Buckhead Imports in the next couple of weeks for ARH Long tubes, primary cat delete and looped rail. MBUSA just replaced my fuel tank and fuel pumps so I am all good with that!
Gearing up for the summer I have wrapped the underside of the OEM airbox with DEI Heat tape, the Y-Pipe for the throttle body and the tops (not sure if that will do anything but I had quite a bit left. I plan on doing the split cooling res and the SBC unit that is closest to the engine.
I also had the guy at the dealership put some 50% 3M Ceramic tint on the front windshield. All my cars have tinted windshields. I hate wearing sunglasses and I don't like the visors soooooooo tint it is.
It will be going back into Buckhead Imports in the next couple of weeks for ARH Long tubes, primary cat delete and looped rail. MBUSA just replaced my fuel tank and fuel pumps so I am all good with that!
Last edited by 2000UZJ; 04-26-2015 at 12:29 PM.