O.C.Detailing (Lynchburg, VA.) 2003 Mercedes S430 - 32 Hours Correction NIGHTMARE!

[O.C.Detailing]

Okay. So it's been quite a while since I posted any write-ups, and that's mostly because I took a full-time job back in IT doing support for UCB Bio-pharmaceuticals in Raleigh, NC. While there, I started receiving soooo many calls for detailing back here in Lynchburg, that I HAD to respond. The money potential was TOO great to pass up.

***Noteworthy: I used Meg's D300 and Surbuf 5.5" pads on this car. AMAZING combination! Also, O.C.Detailing will be providing detailing services to the wonderful folks in and around the Raleigh/Durham area! Give me a call on the number in my signature if you're in need of my services!***

Anyway, this isn't the first of the summer, but it IS...BY FAR...the worst, so far. I would ALMOST say the paint on this car was the worst I've EVER corrected, but I'll let you make that decision for yourselves. Be prepared...there are TONS of photos...

PROCESS:
- Soak in 4:1 APC bath then washed with Super Suds car shampoo
- Clayed with Griot's mild clay bar
- Wheels cleaned with Meg's Wheel Brightener and Meg's Glass Cleaner, Bleche White on the tires and TONS of brushes to aggitate.
- Paint was corrected with Meguiar's D300 on 5.5" Surbuf, followed by Meg's M205 on 5.5" LC Flat White Polishing pads
- Protection was Menzerna PowerLock Sealant applied with a 6.5" LC CCS Red pad.

ONTO THE PICS:

BEFORE:

The ENTIRE front clip on this car had been repainted and a glaze had been applied to the entire car. The initial inspection was NO WHERE NEAR as bad as the car ended up being after the APC bath...I SERIOUSLY under-quoted this car, but the customer was very happy and that's what matters.

Here's where it gets REALLY bad...from the front of both front doors to the rear of this beastly-sized car was ABSOLUTELY TRASHED!

 

[O.C.Detailing]

Here are some 50/50, before/after compounding and in-process photos for the viewers:

Before:

After D300 and Surbuf:

Hood after D300 and Surbuf:

50/50s on the trunk lid after JUST D300 and Surbuf:

50/50 of the rear passenger door and front passenger door seam:

Just a couple of clarity shots of the halogens in the paint:

 

[O.C.Detailing]

Now the AFTERS!! Remember...this was NOT to be a 100% correction, even though I'm pretty sure I couldn't have gotten 100% anyway, it came 100000% better than where it came from and the customer even commented that he wasn't expecting it to look THIS good when he got it back:

A couple of sun shots, though the sun was DIRECTLY overhead and I couldn't get any good angles. You WILL see RIDS in these photos, sorry:

This section is the worst:

 

[O.C.Detailing]

AND some depth of reflection shots! And even a couple of the wheels, though I'm sure they're not many people's taste, they actually weren't too bad for chrome wheels:

Wheels:

AND parting shots!

 

[jkk7479]

I wouldn't expect 100% correction because that paint was trashed! Great save and turn around. Did I read that right where you used D300 with Surbuff pads? I never thought of that combo. Looks like it worked out great if that was the case.

 

[O.C.Detailing]

I wouldn't expect 100% correction because that paint was trashed! Great save and turn around. Did I read that right where you used D300 with Surbuff pads? I never thought of that combo. Looks like it worked out great if that was the case.

Yup! D300 and Surbuf 5.5" pads did ALL of this car. The key with D300 and Surbuf is SLOW PASSES and SMALL SECTIONS. Fast passes just uses a bunch of product and wastes it. D300 has an AMAZING work time and very little dusting!

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

That was an excellent save, Adam! Nicely done!

 

[O.C.Detailing]

Let's also remember...this car had Ceramiclear on it...Doing a car this size, by yourself and in this condition is a TERRIBLE decision. lol Luckily for me and my customers...I actually DO suffer from O.C.D.

 

[O.C.Detailing]

Thanks Charlie! I feel bad though. I didn't get to spend ANY time with my wife this weekend.

 

[Jenn1270]

That is quite an impressive turn around.

Jenn

 

[Mobile detail]

Wow, that was a task. Great job!

 

[O.C.Detailing]

Thanks Jenn and Mobile. I know it was a LOT of pictures. haha

 

[LuxuryMobile]

Great correction work! You really have that black looking good.

And perfect wheels for that Mercedes.

 

[O.C.Detailing]

Thanks Stephan. Next weekend is a white e30 325i that I've had to put off for almost a month now. The owner, I'm sure, is ECSTATIC that it's going to get knocked out now.