Texas-Ryan
New member
- Dec 29, 2012
- 18
- 0
I recently purchased this 2009 MB E350 and want to do an extensive detail on this vehicle. As of about 2 weeks ago, I had no clue about this resource, and apparently, had no clue to how to even properly wash a vehicle. I was up late on night looking on YouTube and came across one of Mike's video's and now I am "knee deep" in auto care products. Hell, I have been up to 3 AM for the past 3-4 nights reading, reading, and reading. It's opened my eyes to things that I didn't have a clue were possible. I have been truly amazed and my other buddies are going to know about this as well. Hopefully their wives will not get upset with me...
I am getting closer to constructing my initial plan and need some constructive criticism.
Here are a few other factoids about this vehicle:
- Car Color: Indium Grey Metallic
- Does have the PPG - Ceramiclear Paint (did also read that article Mike mentioned about this product on MB vehicles
- Very Light/Moderate scratching and marring. Looks fairly typical IMO, but the roof has some deeper scratches on it. I assume the previous "trophy wife" was putting her LOUIS VUITTON handbag on top of the roof while she was getting her other belongings into the vehicle. However, I think this can be corrected based on several previous threads I have seen.
- Car had right under 30K on it when I purchased it. Overall very good condition as to be expected with this type of "gently used" used car.
- This will be my daily driver. However, I work from home on most days so it will be in the garage most of the time.
My Goal: I want to have this vehicle absolutely in top condition when I am done with it. Show Car quality and people to identify that something is superior about the way this man handles his machine.
I am now preparing my arsenal of products since I was mostly ignorant of how to professionally maintain the exterior of a vehicle.
I am getting ready to purchase the following and some items are left undecided until I get a good grasp on what is needed given this interesting "PPG Paint", which I had no clue about until reading Mike's article.
1. Grit Guards for my 2 bucket system.
2. Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Glow and another more mild soap for maintaining quality.
3. Iron X for wheels and paint
4. Plenty of clay. Bought some Mother's from Auto Zone before I had any ideal about Autogeek.
5. Dayton Wheel Brush.
6. Supreme Guzzler Drying towel
7. Load of MF towels (5-8).
8. Cquartz UK Edition
9. GG 6" DA
10. DP Max Wax. (will start from there and see where this takes me)
11. Chemical Guys Hybrid V7
12. 1Z Einszett Rubber Care Stick “Gummi Pflege” for the rubber around the doors that need a good soaking.
Need help with the following:
1. Pads given the paint type and correction(s) type. Start with the
2. Polish - Obviously was thinking about going with the Menzerna or the Wolf Gang Twins. That Menzerna Chart gives my much to consider.
3. Need to fully correct the plastic panels on the doors. They look like crap. What would be the best polish/pad combo for this?
Here is my approach:
1. Wash
2. Iron X
3. Rinse
4. Clay
5. Wash Again/Rise (if needed)
6. Polish (maybe quick wash after before next step)
7. Cquartz (Nick's post with his Mazda sold me on this)
8. Wax
9. Finish with the V7 and picture time!
Again, I want to really lay down the best possible package for this vehicle. Hopefully, I can keep focused on the end result given the ambitious goal. I will need to work out my scheduling of tasks to make it realistic.
I am getting closer to constructing my initial plan and need some constructive criticism.
Here are a few other factoids about this vehicle:
- Car Color: Indium Grey Metallic
- Does have the PPG - Ceramiclear Paint (did also read that article Mike mentioned about this product on MB vehicles
- Very Light/Moderate scratching and marring. Looks fairly typical IMO, but the roof has some deeper scratches on it. I assume the previous "trophy wife" was putting her LOUIS VUITTON handbag on top of the roof while she was getting her other belongings into the vehicle. However, I think this can be corrected based on several previous threads I have seen.
- Car had right under 30K on it when I purchased it. Overall very good condition as to be expected with this type of "gently used" used car.
- This will be my daily driver. However, I work from home on most days so it will be in the garage most of the time.
My Goal: I want to have this vehicle absolutely in top condition when I am done with it. Show Car quality and people to identify that something is superior about the way this man handles his machine.
I am now preparing my arsenal of products since I was mostly ignorant of how to professionally maintain the exterior of a vehicle.
I am getting ready to purchase the following and some items are left undecided until I get a good grasp on what is needed given this interesting "PPG Paint", which I had no clue about until reading Mike's article.
1. Grit Guards for my 2 bucket system.
2. Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Glow and another more mild soap for maintaining quality.
3. Iron X for wheels and paint
4. Plenty of clay. Bought some Mother's from Auto Zone before I had any ideal about Autogeek.
5. Dayton Wheel Brush.
6. Supreme Guzzler Drying towel
7. Load of MF towels (5-8).
8. Cquartz UK Edition
9. GG 6" DA
10. DP Max Wax. (will start from there and see where this takes me)
11. Chemical Guys Hybrid V7
12. 1Z Einszett Rubber Care Stick “Gummi Pflege” for the rubber around the doors that need a good soaking.
Need help with the following:
1. Pads given the paint type and correction(s) type. Start with the
2. Polish - Obviously was thinking about going with the Menzerna or the Wolf Gang Twins. That Menzerna Chart gives my much to consider.
3. Need to fully correct the plastic panels on the doors. They look like crap. What would be the best polish/pad combo for this?
Here is my approach:
1. Wash
2. Iron X
3. Rinse
4. Clay
5. Wash Again/Rise (if needed)
6. Polish (maybe quick wash after before next step)
7. Cquartz (Nick's post with his Mazda sold me on this)
8. Wax
9. Finish with the V7 and picture time!
Again, I want to really lay down the best possible package for this vehicle. Hopefully, I can keep focused on the end result given the ambitious goal. I will need to work out my scheduling of tasks to make it realistic.
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