Pitts Pilot
Active Member
As a recent owner of a Metallic Black 2007 SL350 with Black leather upholstery and trim, I would like to learn how to care for the appearance of my ‘new’ car, and establish an appropriate cleaning and waxing regime for it.
I have read with stunned amazement the unbelievably good guide that ‘Detailed’ has posted, and there is no question at all that he is the uber top man for the job. But at the same time “Rome was not built in a day” and I’m sure he has been detailing his cars for several years to have accumulated such a comprehensive repository of knowledge, both for workmanship and products, etc.
In total contrast, I am starting at first base (holding a couple of buckets & sponges) and need some vital ‘newbie’ advice as to how to keep my new MB is top cosmetic condition, with a view to regular weekly washing by the car wash boys on the High Street, who jet wash first, then soapy mitt it down, jet wash again applying a spray on liquid ‘wax’, and finish with a leather to dry it.
I do not know whether the above procedure is good, bad or ugly, but I’m coming from an ancient history (20 years ago) when putting company cars through the local petrol station rollers was the norm! (Is that loud screaming I can hear from you?)
Anyway, I would not dream of abusing the paintwork on a car I actually owned, hence the ‘hand jet-wash in the High Street’.
I have asked a professional firm of car valets to inspect the car next week with a view to obtaining their advice and doing a one-stage mechanical polish and paint enhancement (about 5 hours) on the metallic black paintwork, and then finish with a decent wax or sealant. (We have pigeons around here that love purple berries... Their Sh1t can strip the lacquer off the bonnet in 48 hours!
Anyway, before this guy comes round and inevitably gives me some ‘self serving’ advice, I would really appreciate your comments as to what kind of regular programme I need to start adopting, and what chemicals and products I should be using for the paintwork and the black leather interior. I can only dream of detailing like ‘Detailed’ demonstrated, so instead I need some “How to get started” advice to point me in the right direction. I want to avoid those simple mistakes that you take for granted, but I’m ignorant about!
I should say at this stage that I am thinking of buying a random orbital polisher (say a Sealey ER230P Car Polisher 230mm Disc, 90w 240v (See Sealey ER230P Car Polisher 230mm Disc 90w 240v : Tooled-Up.com) purely to apply wax or sealant and buff it off. Polishing, as I understand it, is something you do once or twice, with a fine cutting paste.
As a ‘disabled’ person with a blue badge, the sheer physical effort of doing it all by hand would knacker me, so the electrical buffer would be great if possible? What size buffer and accessories would you recommend?
The car was purchased from a MB main dealership and it seems to me that they buffed it up to a shine, and then left it at that. (Presumably this is fairly standard?). Anyway, when I ran my fingers across the bonnet there are no tiny spots or surface imperfections that might indicate contamination and the need for a clay clean. I guess the buffing took care of that? It was very smooth and in good condition (and has only 21K miles on the clock).
So, with access to a jet spray, and the prospect of an electric random orbital buffer, and some money to spend sensibly, how would you get me started, and what chemicals and products would you recommend? It’s metallic black paintwork with a black standard leather interior.
Thanks.
PS. The leather seats and trim have probably not had any TLC since they rolled off the Stuttgart production line in early 2007
I have read with stunned amazement the unbelievably good guide that ‘Detailed’ has posted, and there is no question at all that he is the uber top man for the job. But at the same time “Rome was not built in a day” and I’m sure he has been detailing his cars for several years to have accumulated such a comprehensive repository of knowledge, both for workmanship and products, etc.
In total contrast, I am starting at first base (holding a couple of buckets & sponges) and need some vital ‘newbie’ advice as to how to keep my new MB is top cosmetic condition, with a view to regular weekly washing by the car wash boys on the High Street, who jet wash first, then soapy mitt it down, jet wash again applying a spray on liquid ‘wax’, and finish with a leather to dry it.
I do not know whether the above procedure is good, bad or ugly, but I’m coming from an ancient history (20 years ago) when putting company cars through the local petrol station rollers was the norm! (Is that loud screaming I can hear from you?)
Anyway, I would not dream of abusing the paintwork on a car I actually owned, hence the ‘hand jet-wash in the High Street’.
I have asked a professional firm of car valets to inspect the car next week with a view to obtaining their advice and doing a one-stage mechanical polish and paint enhancement (about 5 hours) on the metallic black paintwork, and then finish with a decent wax or sealant. (We have pigeons around here that love purple berries... Their Sh1t can strip the lacquer off the bonnet in 48 hours!
Anyway, before this guy comes round and inevitably gives me some ‘self serving’ advice, I would really appreciate your comments as to what kind of regular programme I need to start adopting, and what chemicals and products I should be using for the paintwork and the black leather interior. I can only dream of detailing like ‘Detailed’ demonstrated, so instead I need some “How to get started” advice to point me in the right direction. I want to avoid those simple mistakes that you take for granted, but I’m ignorant about!
I should say at this stage that I am thinking of buying a random orbital polisher (say a Sealey ER230P Car Polisher 230mm Disc, 90w 240v (See Sealey ER230P Car Polisher 230mm Disc 90w 240v : Tooled-Up.com) purely to apply wax or sealant and buff it off. Polishing, as I understand it, is something you do once or twice, with a fine cutting paste.
As a ‘disabled’ person with a blue badge, the sheer physical effort of doing it all by hand would knacker me, so the electrical buffer would be great if possible? What size buffer and accessories would you recommend?
The car was purchased from a MB main dealership and it seems to me that they buffed it up to a shine, and then left it at that. (Presumably this is fairly standard?). Anyway, when I ran my fingers across the bonnet there are no tiny spots or surface imperfections that might indicate contamination and the need for a clay clean. I guess the buffing took care of that? It was very smooth and in good condition (and has only 21K miles on the clock).
So, with access to a jet spray, and the prospect of an electric random orbital buffer, and some money to spend sensibly, how would you get me started, and what chemicals and products would you recommend? It’s metallic black paintwork with a black standard leather interior.
Thanks.
PS. The leather seats and trim have probably not had any TLC since they rolled off the Stuttgart production line in early 2007
