dsms detail - Black Mercedes 430 "minor nightmare"

dsms · 04-08-09, 09:07

Didnt plan on it being a long weekend...

But things never usually work out as well as we like

And on with the detail...

On arrival

Wheel first

After high pressure rinsing most all of the surface brake dust and grime came off nicely but the wheel inners were in bad shape

Used the following:

Gloss It wheel gel 2:1
Megs APC+
Stoners Tarminator
various brushes

GI wheel gel sitting (very clingy stuff :headbang

After

Pulled the CLK inside for claying and inspection, car was consistent at 6-7mils

The paint was in very bad shape, lots of auto wash damage and deep RIDS. I was on a time schedule and a tight budget so the 3 step process this car NEEDED for 100% paint correction was not able to be performed, I instead settled on a 2 step process which worked extremely well to remove the heavy defects and finish out the paint nicely. Overall I would say 95% correction was achieved, some areas with less defect cleaned up easier and other areas needed some extra attention using 2 hits of M105 w. the wool pad.

Paint correction process:

Megs M105 w/ Gloss It baby lambswool cutting pad (5.75" and 4")
Menz 85rd w/ Gloss It blue finishing pad (5.75 and 4")
+ Gloss It EVP polish extender

The lambswool pad and M105 did a really nice job on the heavy defects, I polished at about 2400rpm using the EVP w/ M105 and heavy pressure. This combo knocked down the heavy defects but left a lot of hologramming behind (as expected)

Step 2 of the process was crucial as it was a makeshift middle and finishing polish step using the 85rd. Using the blue GI finishing pad and 85rd w/ EVP I worked it at about 1900rpm for many many passes to knock down the holos and fine swirls then I backed down to about 1500rpm for a few passes to refine the finish a little more and then back down to 1100rpm for straight jeweling with no pressure.
* 2-3 IPA wipedowns were done with M105 to ensure no filling

To my surprise that process worked just as I had wanted, the paint cleaned up nicely and a good bit of depth and clarity was restored as well.

Some correction photos under the Infratech, Fenix TK10 LED, standing halogens and camera flash

Hood before

After

Before w/ camera flash and LED (this mixture of light is really nice to help pick up even the really fine RIDS)

After

dsms · 04-08-09, 09:08

tried to show the difference in the depth of the black on the left side compared to the right side

After finishing and another IPA wipedown

Making my way around the car..

Had the chance to work outside for a little on day 2, some after polishing shots

Nerd ear protection? Yep that is in fact me :afro:

I switched up to the 3" Gloss it BP w/ 4" GI pads for the tighter areas

It started to get dark so I pulled it back inside to finish the rest of teh correction work,

tidied up the trunk area

The trunk area ...

The largest amount of defect was seen on the passenger side panels, some strange figure 8's design going on here, kinda pretty but it had to go :shrug:

dsms · 04-08-09, 09:09

Some of the hologramming left behind from M105

After finishing w/ 85rd I took a 50/50 video, excuse the radio play in the background noise

50/50 Video

Jeweling video as well

5.75 inch pad for the larger areas...

and the 3" BP w/ 4" pads for the smaller ones...

One last pic with the infratech and standing gens'

The car had a lot of excess polishing dust so even though I avoid doing this I had to re-wash it to prepare for LSP. I also re-scrubbed the rag top using the RaggTop cleaner and then applied the protectant

After a PW I took a little beading shot // ALL NATURALE

Foamed w/ strong mix of CWC, I wont use CWG at this point because it contains the glossing agent which would need to be stripped off right after the wash anyway to prep for LSP

After the very light wash, no LSP

I was really running low on time so for LSP I simply used 2 coats of Optimum car wax.

Some final shots...

Wheels were hand polished w/ GI evolution polish and a red CCS pad
Tires dressed with Gloss It signature tire gloss (x1)
Wells treated with Adams

All exterior rubber and plastic trim was treated with Gloss It TRV

The interior was actually pretty well kempt

Quick porcess

Folex on carpets
Gloss It satin leather cleaner
Gloss It satin leather polish
TRV on dash
P+S express interior cleaner on plastics
Danase wet glaze on wood trim

Since I had to drive the car back to the owners house for delivery I placed the plastic protective mat on the drivees side (removed it upon deliver and re-brushed the carpets)

And some last pics

Thanks for looking

Richie Carbone · 04-08-09, 09:31

Awesome work David! You just doubled the value of that Benz!

Auto Concierge · 04-08-09, 09:51

Consistant excellence is hard to accomplish........ Dave is "first time every time" Navy term for getting it right and putting out the high effort. CORRECT!!.

Setec Astronomy · 04-08-09, 10:00

Fantastic job, as usual! Tell us about the GI wheel gel, their website says it's pH neutral...that really has no ABF or HF in it and it got the inside of those wheels that clean? Or do you attribute that mostly to the healthy coat of paint and smooth finish the wheels appeared to have inside?

Showroom Shine · 04-09-09, 03:24

Great Job on the Benz! Good pics and posting too. Could you tell where you got the Paint Thickness Gauge? Looks nice and handy. Price range!

weekendwarrior · 04-09-09, 04:27

Great Job. I really need to make it over to the Gloss It website and try out some products.

Danase · 04-09-09, 04:38

Job well done!

Auto Concierge · 04-09-09, 05:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Fantastic job, as usual! Tell us about the GI wheel gel, their website says it's pH neutral...that really has no ABF or HF in it and it got the inside of those wheels that clean? Or do you attribute that mostly to the healthy coat of paint and smooth finish the wheels appeared to have inside?

These wheels I did recently did not have a healthy coat of paint and have polished lips a big no no for HF acid based cleaners

Before neglected terribleness(is this a word if not it is still appropriate).

After with GI gel

Setec Astronomy · 04-09-09, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auto Concierge

These wheels I did recently did not have a healthy coat of paint and have polished lips a big no no for HF acid based cleaners...

So what would you compare this to? Is it anything like P21S wheel cleaner(s)? I've just never seen anything effective on etched-in dust except acid, and if it's not HF, it's still not very effective.

OCKlasse · 04-09-09, 09:33

I absolutely love your work! Definitely one of the best here!

What wheel brushes do you use in all? I always have a tougher times in the inside barrels...