E55 AMG Mercedes Detail

[Anthony Orosco]

Started this car last week Friday but was unable to finish because the doctor had a case cancel so he left around 1:30 pm and I had just basically gotten started.

Monday, which was yesterday it had rained in the AM so the doctor didn't leave it for me but finally today I was able to finish her up.

Car was a wreck but the only BEFORE pics I took were under bad lighting but it had plenty of halo scratches, it had been keyed twice, sap and the top was covered in hard water spots.

I used Wheel Wash on the wheels, Optimum degreaser for the tires and wells and TOL's Bubble Bath for the wash. After washing it I rinsed it, grabbed me "slick" lube bottle and started claying with Opti-clay. I clayed everything but the kitchen sink!

After the claying I dried it and wet sanded two areas that had been keyed. It helped those areas out some but wasn't able to truly repair it 100%.

Then started the buffing process. I used on some of the top sections and where I had wetsanded it the beta Optimum Professional Compound, temporarily dubbed "C4". It is much more aggressive than the Compound from Optimum, cuts and levels fast but also leaves some swirling, which is to be expected from a compound and a wool pad. So I used the C4 and a wool pad on some areas but the majority was buffed out or leveled with an Opt black wool pad and the Opt Compound with rpm's around 1700. This was Leveling step 1.

Leveling step #2 was the Opt green mid polishing pad with Opt Compound @ 1700 rpm's.

Now came the polishing steps, 3 more. My first polishing step was with the Opt blue polishing pad and Opt Polish @ 1400 rpm's, this was step #3. To save time I did not remove the polish but instead just polished right over it with the next step. I did this same thing with the 2 compound steps. I only removed it from my first panel so I can judge just what I am doing, if I need to go longer, shorter, etc.

You should have minor to no swirls after step #3.

Polishing step #4 was with an Opt black finishing pad and Opt Polish, also @ 1400 rpm's. Polishing step #5 was with an Opt ultra fine finishing pad and again Opt Polish @ 1000 to 1200 rpm's.

Nest came the detail work, lenses, cleaning up emblems, trim and chrome. After that was done I then applied one layer of OCW.

I then detailed the interior, and my wife helped me out here. Cleaned with my steamer and Protectant Plus for the leather. After we finished the interior I applied one more layer of OCW, polished the wheels and dressed the tires with Tire Shine.

OK, so here are a few pics and I hope you enjoy them.
Anthony






















Now for a couple of full sun shots

Front Fender....





Here is the hood...






This last pic is one of my favs, really shows off the reflectivity the polished and sealed paint...







Thanks,
Anthony

[tdekany]

First - your picture taking skill is much better this time.

The detail looks fantastic. Really beautiful.

BTW, what do you charge for something like that? (Ball park is ok)

So many step.

[Anthony Orosco]

Originally Posted by tdekany

First - your picture taking skill is much better this time.

The detail looks fantastic. Really beautiful.

BTW, what do you charge for something like that? (Ball park is ok)

So many step.

Hey thanks

Around the $300 mark

Anthony

[pigeonbus]

Wow! 5 Polishing Steps! I guess you gotta do what it takes...

Are these buffing pads available at Kleen Car Auto Appearance under the "Fast Action" name.

Thanks

[Anthony Orosco]

Originally Posted by pigeonbus

Wow! 5 Polishing Steps! I guess you gotta do what it takes...

Are these buffing pads available at Kleen Car Auto Appearance under the "Fast Action" name.

Thanks

Thank you Carl

Yes the Fast Action pads are the ones I used. You'll really like the green pad as it does a great job with the Opt Compound to level out swirls and halo scratches where an orange pad might be too much.

I have them in 6 and 8 inch.

Anthony

[hirosh]

that last picture = awesome job!

[pigeonbus]

Thanks for the quick reply Anthony.

I just got Opti-Clay, OCW, and Optimum Compound, and I'm really eager to try them all.

I'll look into those pads!

[fatchance]

I always enjoy viewing your work. Nice job.

[Mitchubishievo]

Wow ...great detial and I didn;t know Optimum made pads....awesome stuff that Optimum is...

[Picus]

Damn, they are right that last shot is awesome. I didn't know Optimum made pads either. I am going to have to seek them out here in Canukistan.

[tdekany]

1 - wish you posted the before picture

2 - was the owner floored after he saw the car?

3 - this picture is my all time favorite!!

Makes me want to go and detail right now.!

Excellent job Anthony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anthony Orosco]

Originally Posted by tdekany

1 - wish you posted the before picture

2 - was the owner floored after he saw the car?

3 - this picture is my all time favorite!!

Makes me want to go and detail right now.!

Excellent job Anthony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you for everyone's kind words

I just tried to look for the BEFORE pic but I think I just tossed it because it came out so dark

Yes the doctor was really excited about how his car looked cause it was in pretty bad shape, He said he was embarrassed to drive in it but just didn't have time to go to the car wash. He was excited until he saw the bill that is

I have another doctor bringing me in an early model, suppossedly "restored", Karmann Ghia tomorrow and if he does I'll make sure I take BEFORE pics of that. It is red in color, I guess single stage, unless re-painted and cleared, so it should be interesting

Thanks again,
Anthony