Star Shield

[Stewartk23]

For good or bad when I bought my new merc in 2006 I had the star shield treatment. Now after washes and the odd power wash I want to 'top up' the treatment. Any suggestions for what to use? I thought MER might be good but I really need some good advice! Thanks in advance.

 

[wemorgan]

Autoglym Lifeshine worked well when I bought a new car once.

 

[whitenemesis]

I also had Star Shield treatment when I bought my car. It's certainly kept a good shine all this time. I apply Mer a couple of times a year although ther's no real need to. Just makes me feel better for it

 

[Sp!ke]

Wont Mer just remove any trace of starshield? (Mer is an abrasive)

I would stick with a high end wax from Zymol or Meguires myself.

 

[whitenemesis]

Don't think Mer is abrasive? Certainly it wont remove contaminants, it just seals them under a clear coat, which is why one has to be sure the car is spotless clean before applying

 

[Sp!ke]

Mer *is* an abrasive. Its also pretty rubbish as a polish.

Steer clear imho.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=767582

 

[wemorgan]

I also thought Mer was abrasive, similar to T-cut.

 

[Sp!ke]

It is a polish, not a wax.

 

[Roger Jones]

Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection: not a polish but a non-abrasive finishing sealant, which is very easy to apply. Leave to cure for an hour and more before polishing -- the longer you leave it, the better it works. Then apply a second coat.

 

[whitenemesis]

Mer *is* an abrasive. Its also pretty rubbish as a polish.

Steer clear imho.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=767582

I have to agree, it is classed as an abrasive (it contains chalk) but interestingly the views in the link you posted don't rubbish the product but do suggest better polishes exist

I have to say my experiences with it over the last 10-12yrs has been good

 

[Sp!ke]

Personally I dont know how you can live with all the white dust.

What do you use to protect the car with after you've used the Mer polish?

 

[Rory]

StarShield is just a sealer, like Diamondbrite etc.

I don't see how you could "top it up" - any kind of polishing would remove it. Buy a Diamondbrite, Supaguard or Lifeshine pack off eBay and redo it.

My car allegedly had it done "free" (included in the price - I think it was just an invoice fiddle). I'm very dubious it was actually done - water never beaded up etc. However bird muck does clean off easily, but maybe that's just the nano paint.

 

[whitenemesis]

Personally I dont know how you can live with all the white dust.

What do you use to protect the car with after you've used the Mer polish?

Nothing extra. It seems to do very well (not just the C class but my previous SEAT). For many weeks after all that is needed is a hose down and the much washes off.

Water beads very easily. It's very good on the glass too, just not the windscreen!!

 

[whitenemesis]

StarShield is just a sealer, like Diamondbrite etc.

I don't see how you could "top it up" - any kind of polishing would remove it. Buy a Diamondbrite, Supaguard or Lifeshine pack off eBay and redo it.

My car allegedly had it done "free" (included in the price - I think it was just an invoice fiddle). I'm very dubious it was actually done - water never beaded up etc. However bird muck does clean off easily, but maybe that's just the nano paint.

Same with me, a "free" application. But I know they did it 'cos they cocked up the first time and had to take the car back and re-apply. Sort of cloudy finish in places the first time, very shiny and smooth the second go.

 

[Stewartk23]

Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection: not a polish but a non-abrasive finishing sealant, which is very easy to apply. Leave to cure for an hour and more before polishing -- the longer you leave it, the better it works. Then apply a second coat.

Thnx for the comments - I think something from the Autoglym product set is the one to use.