Cleaning product help

[Johnerz]

So I have had my dream car (E250 coupe Sport) for about 3 weeks now.
She needs a good clean, I was wondering what the best products are for cleaning interior and exterior.
I have seen the Mercedes cleaning kits but are they really they best? I wasn't sure if it was actually the best product for mercs or if the Mercedes products are really normal cleaning products with a Mercedes badge and price tag attached.
Anyone got any advice or tips?

 

[alymac]

Hi there, hope your enjoying your car.... regarding cleaning products for it, everyone has their own personal choice and what works for one might not suit another, I think it depends how much time & money you want to spend on it because once you start to look at building a collection of cleaning products it can add up quite quickly , in some instances you could possibly have the car valeted by a pro for a similar cost, or if you like to get stuck in see the difference you can make cleaning it yourself then I'd say a good starting point could be a trip to your local Halfords or independent car accessories store where you can take a look at the various products on offer and see what suits your needs, hope this helps & have fun

 

[Johnerz]

Thanks for the response. Yes, I am absolutely loving my car, Mercs are amazing to drive. Can't believe I waited so long to buy one.
I was going to buy a load of AutoGlym products and a wheel cleaning kit today as an alternative to the Mercedes kit but thought I'd check to see if there are any better alternatives or if the Mercedes kit is actually any good.

 

[Tiger_70]

Had my Nissan treated with AutoGlym Lifeshine, its the best of any of the paint treatments that I have had.

 

[T5R+]

Do not rush out and buy products.

Spend a few hours on Detailingworld.

Use some of the better internet based suppliers to source your materials.

You will find that you prefer some products over others AND that some products work better on Mercedes cars (eg hard paint).

After a few months/years, never add up the cost of how much you have spent or the hours that you have invested.

One of my best ever decisons - buying a Dual Action Polisher.

 

[ShaunB]

One of my best ever decisons - buying a Dual Action Polisher.

Having spent hours on my car at the weekend using meguiars polish and carnauba wax I nursed a sore arm and shoulder the following day.

How easy are these machines to use?

 

[T5R+]

.......

How easy are these machines to use?

Shaun, DA Polishers are easy to use. You have to be really ham-fisted with zero eyesight and no mechanical sympathy, to do any serious damage.

As with most things there is some "trial and error" but this is more to do with pad and product combination rather than damaging the car/paintwork.

• I do use Meguiars with pads if want a great finish but defer to AutoGlym if in a hurry and okay with a mediocre finish.
• I am a DIYer and cannot get a great finish with PoorBoys either hand or machine applied, whist others love it.
• Collinite wax is a favourite on here and is it fine but I prefer Dodo Juice. I always hand apply wax and buff but suspect machine can be used.

 

[gramey]

Having spent hours on my car at the weekend using meguiars polish and carnauba wax I nursed a sore arm and shoulder the following day.

How easy are these machines to use?

Having had ligament problems in my right shoulder and being right handed I decided sometime ago that a DA polisher was the way forward. As said by another poster on here you need to be pretty ham fisted to do any damage to your paintwork.

 

[yojay]

I use Bilt Hamber cleaning products. They're UK based and you can speak to them on the phone if you have questions. Also, get Dodo Juice menthol glass cleaner, great stuff.

IMHO Mercedes cleaning products will be poor compared to specialist stuff.

 

[kam09]

Shaun, DA Polishers are easy to use. You have to be really ham-fisted with zero eyesight and no mechanical sympathy, to do any serious damage. As with most things there is some "trial and error" but this is more to do with pad and product combination rather than damaging the car/paintwork. [*] I do use Meguiars with pads if want a great finish but defer to AutoGlym if in a hurry and okay with a mediocre finish. [*] I am a DIYer and cannot get a great finish with PoorBoys either hand or machine applied, whist others love it. [*]Collinite wax is a favourite on here and is it fine but I prefer Dodo Juice. I always hand apply wax and buff but suspect machine can be used.

How do you find the cutting process with that machine? Quick or long process?

 

[T5R+]

How do you find the cutting process with that machine? Quick or long process?

Unsure if I am too cautious when cutting but without a machine this is a nigh on impossible task on an E Class. So happy to go at it with a DA. Find this long and tedious compared to the rest of the machining processes. Also dusty. Use Scholl Concepts with Meguairs pad and these work for me.

 

[markwibbs]

Am happy to proffer product advice directly but tbh I dont think Autoglym products are good enough for many cars, let alone a Mercedes. I use Race Glaze, Zymol, Kenotek on ours, none of which are available from high street stores who specialise in selling mass market stuff thats of very mediocre quality.
However, you will be bamboozled on DetailingWorld and if you listen to whoever is shouting loudest at the time, you'll end up with a fashion product from a brand that will disappear in a year.
You wont need a DA for a new car and application/removal of wax products is best by hand. They are very easy to use and if you have amassed enough money to buy a Mercedes you probably have enough brain cells to use one safely.