Caring for a brand new Mercedes

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Lakinui

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OK Mike, I need your advice!

I just purchased a 2011 C 300 Mercedes, color Palladium Silver and this will be the first new car I have had since I have done my own detailing. I want to know how to start off right taking the best care I can.

This car is garaged to begin with. I have a Flex 3401 with Kompressor pads, Klasse All in One, PO85, Souveran paste wax, Red Moose glaze and I use Meguiars Gold Class car wash, two buckets one with grit guard. I have Cobra microfiber and quick detailer. It has MB texture(vinyl interior.) I have Poor Boys Natural Look interior cleaner and 303.

Questions:
What am I missing if anything?
New car, new paint-when should I apply product?
Do I wax first?
The finish is perfect, there is no reason to polish, is there?
What should I use to maintain interior?
What should I use to clean the alloy wheels that is safe?
What should I use to protect the wheels?
What should I use to protect the tires and maintain that new look?
What is the mitt, sponge, to use to wash with?

I want to do it just right from the beginning. I live in snow country, so that will be a factor also.

Thanks for your help!
 
You will get a thousand answers as there are a thousand products that will work. But since I knw you are looking for one answer here's what I would use - I am not aprof detailer but these work for me with new BMW's

What am I missing if anything?
not much
New car, new paint-when should I apply product?
anytime - it's german - it's cured
Do I wax first?
Ultima paint prep and Ultima Paint Guard Plus
The finish is perfect, there is no reason to polish, is there?
the paint prep above will work
What should I use to maintain interior?
blackfire or Meguirs interior detailer
What should I use to clean the alloy wheels that is safe?
blackfire cleaner
What should I use to protect the wheels?
Ultima or blackfire wheel protector
What should I use to protect the tires and maintain that new look?
opti-bond or stoners
What is the mitt, sponge, to use to wash with?
Any MF mitt
 
Wow, you are off to a great start, well equiped and signed up here on the AG forum so soon into ownership. I wish I had been in the same place in the summer of 2009 when I bought my G37. I put in a lot of hours, only to see the flaws in my black car accumulate as I took more and more time per session. Then my cleaning sessions grew further and further apart. You can guess the rest.

I'm a novice at this stuff, so you can take my words with that grain of salt. I would recommend adding to your collection without hesitation:

ONR (Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine) or DP Rinseless Wash and Gloss (same thing as ONR, just pink instead of blue and bubblegum instead of pseudo-berry scent) - A time and money saving must even if you don't venture into rinseless washing: Use as a soap booster for your regular car wash soap, use as a clay lube and bulk quick detailer, wheel wash, dusting aid, while-you're-at-it glass cleaner...

UWW+ (Ultima Waterless Wash Plus concentrate) - "My Precious"... It's ONR on steroids. Thanks to Corey's (Cee Dog) review and recommendation I discovered this wonderful product, and I agree that it makes a cost and performance effective companion to ONR, rather than a replacement, although technically it could replace ONR. Get your gallon of ONR (or DPRW&G) and use that wherever you feel the need, don't need to feel frugal with it. With the bulk stuff out of the way you won't feel like you have to hoard your UWW+. Does at make sense? You can feel free to use your UWW+ whenever and wherever you feel like your car needs it without feeling wasteful because you've got plenty of ONR to use for any frivolous purpose. Ok, getting too long winded here.
Your UWW+ will serve as a great "Spray Wax", drying aid, detailer, bird poo cleaner (alone, or hand in hand with ONR), wheel cleaner, final wipe, clean your wife's car while she think's you're in the bathroom...If you get it, dilute it in a spray bottle 22:1 with distilled H2O, you will quickly get a feel for where and when it makes sense to use and you will be glad you have it. In other words it will explain itself.

PERL, by CQuarz/CarPro - Again, thanks to Corey's review I discovered this stuff. It's all you need to keep your tires and rubber trim dressed, engine and cowl looking dressed and detailed, wheel wells looking black and your can use it to protect and dress your interior surfaces to boot. A little will go a long way. Buy a liter and get some spray bottles, tiny 3 oz ones are handy. Keep 1:1, 1:5, and even 1:3 dilutions with distilled water on hand.

If you want to save time drying your car and want to eliminate any anxiety about damaging your paint during drying...and if you don't mind spending the money, get a Metro Master Blaster blower.

Pick up a bottle of Collinite 845 "Insulator" Wax. It all you need to keep your paint protected long term, rain, snow, or shine. Then you can play from there with other waxes/sealants if you so desire. Better IMHO to start with something that's a sure thing and have your eye out for something pretty than to start out searching for that elusive stuff that will make your car look good and not turn into a pumpkin overnight.
 
didn't see you mention the dealer Dupont deal, i work for them currently.
You didn't need that anyway, just use the good stuff you have now and the advice from here. Oh and please tell you don't have the xylon.
 
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