New car coming. What to do re detailing

[Rory]

Don't bother with the Mercedes Dealer 'Supagard Protection' as it is absolute cr@p, a total waste of £474.00 - and I am saying that after 14 days of Mercedes ownership.

You're not supposed to actually pay for that kind of thing! It's either outright free or the cost should get lost in the deal.

I had Stargard on my MB and similar things on other makes of car and think it did an OK job. I've never done anything else to the cars other than wash them very occasionally.

Did use Gtechniq C5 on the wheels when I got them refurbed. Very impressed with that - just ordered some more to do the wheels on Mrs R's new car.

 

[pete harrison]

You're not supposed to actually pay for that kind of thing! It's either outright free or the cost should get lost in the deal.

Having agreed £59,215.00 for my brand new E63, (plus matt black wheels @ £510.00 = total £59,725.00 when O.T.R. price is £74115.00) I could not get the dealer to agree to anything else whatsoever. I would normally get the 'Supagard Protection' and Service Pack thrown in, as well as a few other things - but pays your money and takes your chance. I therefore paid the 'Supagard Protection' @ £474.00 bringing the total to £60,199.00.

The question is did I pay too much for the car ?

 

[Camchan]

Just ask questions, read detailing forums and watch youtube videos. Then spend that money on products better than those that will be used by most professionals when you book it in

Yip, wife going crazy at me looking at all of the above!

 

[Rory]

The question is did I pay too much for the car ?

Possibly not. I did what I thought was a good deal on a Tiguan last week for my wife (used DtD and CarWow to check pricing) only for the dealer to cheerfully agree to a full tank of fuel and mats. Haven't had that on a car I've bought for a while.

 

[pete harrison]

Possibly not. I did what I thought was a good deal on a Tiguan last week for my wife (used DtD and CarWow to check pricing) only for the dealer to cheerfully agree to a full tank of fuel and mats. Haven't had that on a car I've bought for a while.

The E63 came with a tank of petrol, and of course AMG branded mats come as standard - so no need to negotiate these into the deal.

I did try several times for the Service Pack but the response was 'no chance', not even at a discounted price

Anyway I am taking this thread off topic - sorry.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Having agreed £59,215.00 for my brand new E63, (plus matt black wheels @ £510.00 = total £59,725.00 when O.T.R. price is £74115.00) I could not get the dealer to agree to anything else whatsoever. I would normally get the 'Supagard Protection' and Service Pack thrown in, as well as a few other things - but pays your money and takes your chance. I therefore paid the 'Supagard Protection' @ £474.00 bringing the total to £60,199.00.

The question is did I pay too much for the car ?

£59k seems like outrageous value to me

 

[Camchan]

The bilt hamber wax arrived monday morning. Last night washed the car to apply the wax then dry and of course it rained so nothing to be done. Today sunshine all day so after work rinsed the car,dried off and started to wax, starts raining again! The frustration of a very amateurish detailer with no garage.

Still nice to look at the product!

 

[keejoonc]

So bought some goodies today. AG super resin polish, g3 clay mitt and the AG fast glass plus some meguirs application pads to test on the wives car.
So got off to a bad start and opened the clay mitt at the wrong end so now I can't seal it. My bad but be aware if you buy one.
Used some soapy water on the micro fibre side and then flipped to the clay side. Worked well to clean the surface which was 'granually' though a few small tar spots needed some extra attention. Then rinsed and dried off. Then opened the srp and after wetting the application pad off I went. Just a small blob needed and then off you go small circles and then straight lines. Do another panel and then back to wipe off. It was very easy to apply and then wipe away. The finish was very nice and a nice reflection. Unfortunately the double speed wax will not arrive until early next week so will have to wait from that. Think I will just rinse down and apply wax over the srp. Does that sound OK?

My suggestion is to use nano coating products instead of wax alone.
If you are lazy like me, just use nano coating alone rather than wax.
Wax IMO doesn't last as long, especially over winter. Nano coating provides better longevity, protection, and hydrophobic properties than wax.
It's also a lot easier to apply than wax. I absolutely despise applying wax especially on a white car.

 

[Camchan]

My suggestion is to use nano coating products instead of wax alone.
If you are lazy like me, just use nano coating alone rather than wax.
Wax IMO doesn't last as long, especially over winter. Nano coating provides better longevity, protection, and hydrophobic properties than wax.
It's also a lot easier to apply than wax. I absolutely despise applying wax especially on a white car.

Will have a look, any particular nano product you recommend or is that just a brand name

 

[Camchan]

It's not a merc but what the heck.

Well the deed is done. The panda is now waxed with the bilt hamber. I've posted pics below. Overall I'm very pleased with the results and the colour is very vivid and seems to me to have a depth to it.

Key points, the wax was fairly easy to go on and wipe off but the micro fibre cloth which came with it is too big even when folded into quarters. This made it a bit bulky when wiping the wax off.

The applicator which came with the wax was good-made with foam. I used the megs micro fibre pads initially but it was a bit more difficult to spread with and was larger than the tub so was difficult to scoop up some wax. This pad was easier to use with the srp.

So I also tested the beading-WOW! It just sheets off no messing. Photo below was all the water left after pouring a watering can over the bonnet.

Total cost of my products was approximately £70.

So that's it I now feel ready to tackle the merc, the panda test bed is done. It won't be done for a week or so as I'm off golfing with the boys at the weekend.will post some photos when done.

Scott

 

[keejoonc]

Will have a look, any particular nano product you recommend or is that just a brand name

I think there are many different products out there but personally I've only used Gtechniq C2v3. Simply spray on and wipe off.

 

[Camchan]

So a few weeks on, time for an update. Did the merc with the srp and then the bilt hamber wax. Results weren't as eye popping as the panda but still looks nice. Both products easy to use. But might look for a wetter/glossier wax for the future. Suggestions?

Photos below were after a few weeks on and after a wash. There is also a picture of the the beading after two weeks.

One thing I wasn't that keen on the finish after just drying with a towel so used the AG aqua wax tonight and was pleased with the finish so will use that after washing in he future. Also acts as top up to the wax.

 

[Camchan]

Beading after wash.

 

[uumode]

Try a top coat of wax sealer?
EXTRA GLOSS SEALER WAX

 

[MDC250]

So the bulk of your finish comes from polishing and your LSP in theory does nothing more than protect the finish. I'm in the camp that subscribes to the idea that your LSP can and does impact on finish.

On a colour like you have I'd say something like ODK Glamour, Vics Concours, Pinnacle Souveran or Blackfire Midnight Sun would give a nice deep, wet finish.

The payoff is that these won't last as long as the BH but what you could do is use the BH as your base over the SRP and top with one of them. If you don't want to spend a lot then ODK would be my choice, punches way above its weight.

 

[Camchan]

Are these products like quick detailer's? As I wouldn't want to use the srp, wax and then polish again. The advantage of aqua wax is that you have one spray per panel and wipe down. I was thinking about using bouncers done and dusted after the AW is finished as it has some nice reviews.
I'm looking for something which just lift's it up a bit after a wash.

 

[MDC250]

Nope waxes which IMO would add a little something to your finish in lieu of the BH.

For a good quality but reasonably priced QD that adds a little protection I really like Britemax Spray and Shine.

D&D does indeed get rave reviews as does ODK Entourage; I understand they are possibly similar in property.

 

[clk270]

Sonax Xtreme Brilliant Shine Detailer spray - use/apply as a drying aid - gives weeks of beading...

 

[Dellboi]

Sonax Xtreme Brilliant Shine Detailer spray - use/apply as a drying aid - gives weeks of beading...

As a quick spray/detailer you wont go wrong with Sonax. Go on you tube and look at the feedback, you can almost call it a sealant. It get excellent feedback.

 

[Camchan]

Thanks for comments. In short term will stick with bilt hammer and pick up a qd. One of the kids can get me it for Xmas!

One regret is that I didn't get the wheels 'sealed' early doors. Washing the wheels is a pain! Might get those done profesionaly in the new year.

Anyway this was all a new experience for me and I have enjoyed the experience of doing some basic detailing. It is quite therapeutic in its own way and very sociable-never seen so much of the neighbours.