C250CDI Coupe Black Help

[tappers2010]

Hi I am new to the forum having just placed an order for my C250 coupe AMG Sport Edition (Premium).

This is the first time i have purchased a black car and it is not through my own choice as its only one available without panoramic roof from now till the end of production in june . The rest of the car was so good though that I will live with the colour.

Would be great if someone could give me some advice on keeping the paintwork in good condition and what products/methods will be useful for keeping swirl marks to a minimum and keeping the black paintwork looking shiny as new.

The dealer is offering to put on a paint protection pack for free i believe its called stargard, is this worthwhile or a complete waste and should i just get some good products for myself once i collect the car

Thanks

 

[MDC250]

Hmm, dealer doing something for nothing?!

Options wise you can:-

1. Let them protect the car, if they do a rubbish job I guess you have recourse and they are sorting it for nothing;
2. Take it to a pro Detailer;
3. Sort it yourself.

Pro Detailer will/should do a better job than option 1. If you go ceramic coating route you just need to make sure your wash routine minimises risks of damaging paint.

If you go option 3 you run the risk of spending more money than option 2 and picking up a potentially obsessive and expensive hobby

Horses for courses, but be honest with yourself. If you have the time and inclination do it yourself, if not take to a pro Detailer and get it done right from the outset.

 

[JBD]

What colour did you want?

 

[tappers2010]

Yes dealer doing something for nothing!! also throwing in GAP cos I asked for my deposit back if they wouldn't and they did it lol!

I have the time thanks to shift work and still living at home so not having family to run around after but i dunno how long i'll keep up the patience for it!!.

There's a guy I work with who does pro detailing as a side job so I will actually mention it to him about the first protection then maybe just keep it going myself and have to learn some good wash routines and what not to keep it looking shiny.

I was looking at a Diamond White one second hand but with the discounts on new ATM that didn't make viable sense financially. I have wanted a Palladium Silver one for absolutely ages think it looks lovely just that slight shade of grey over normal silver to make it that bit more interesting but as i didn't want panoramic roof I could only have the black car but i think the black does suit it very well.

Thanks for your help

 

[tappers2010]

Been reading up on Poor Boys Black-hole meant to be a pretty good way of keeping a black car free from swirls,

anybody had any experience with this product??

poorboysworld.com

 

[J LAD]

Without a shadow of a doubt, get a pro detailer to prep the car for you at the dealership.
As its new, ( well depends how long its been out back?) it should not need claying, then it will need a light machine polish, and then sealing with your choice of sealant, but ask him if he has experience applying Gtechniq products, as this is one of the best products out there for the price.
Afterwards, always foam before washing, then use a pure lambs wool mitt to wash using the 2 bucket method.
Then as its black I would stick to a synthetic sealant, Poor Boys black hole is fine.

 

[tappers2010]

the car is due to arrive at dealer end of july and im collecting it mid august as its not being built until july so it wont be sitting around for long at all with them. Apparently the kit the dealers use involves a full machine polish and sealant but unsure what products they use

 

[M11GUL]

The dealers do more damage than they think with their 'protections' packages. I'd go the route of the pro detailer and can recommend Rob at Www.dooka.co.ukDooka if you are not too far from Northamptonshire (he also travels around the country).

As for maintaining it long term, it takes a large l initial spend to cover a jet wash, buckets (I use 3 as I do the wheels and inner arches separately), mitts (the Dooka pad is excellent), detailing brushes and then all you actual product.

After that it's all about topping up your product every now and then!

 

[tappers2010]

I'm down in Essex so a fair way down from there but will have a look at his site.

the more people say about how much its gonna cost I'm thinking it might just be nice to have it professionally detailed once or twice a year professionally and just leave it be the rest of the time!! (never gonna happen im to much of a clean freak with cars)

I've always had colours that hide marks pretty well Blues and Reds so this is why the black is scaring me slightly.