2013 Mercedes Benz ML350 gone to the dogs

[Sean@ShowShine]

Good evening Autopians,

Today I present to you one of the most aggravating and lengthy details I`ve completed... possibly ever?

I was contacted by this customer after he was referred by a friend whose vehicle I previously detailed. The vehicle in question is a 2013 Mercedes Benz ML350 with a non-metallic black paint job and double black interior (carpet/leather). The owner has two Labrador retrievers that accompany the owner very frequently. Those of us that have had experiences with these lovely dogs know just how much they shed. The primary focus of this detail was to remove as much of the pet hair as possible, reduce or eliminate the associated smell, clean the leather, and wash/wax the car to prepare it for trade in. Without further adieu, lets get into it.

Heres the vehicle before anything

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4589_zpsfhnjmjsc.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4589_zpsfhnjmjsc.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4590_zpsjjn0utvf.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4590_zpsjjn0utvf.jpg.html)

Doesn`t look that bad does it? That`s what I thought too. Lets take a look at the interior...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4591_zpspx1ghocs.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4591_zpspx1ghocs.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4592_zpswunwwz2a.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4592_zpswunwwz2a.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4593_zpsryo2h1we.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4593_zpsryo2h1we.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4594_zps7vmvmh1t.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4594_zps7vmvmh1t.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4595_zpsdjrdpieh.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4595_zpsdjrdpieh.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4597_zpsxog0hj7l.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4597_zpsxog0hj7l.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4598_zps2us1ie3g.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4598_zps2us1ie3g.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4599_zpsvuqqqv6t.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4599_zpsvuqqqv6t.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4600_zpsqpqddpk5.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4600_zpsqpqddpk5.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4601_zpsellg4xwz.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4601_zpsellg4xwz.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4602_zpst3ojqqoe.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4602_zpst3ojqqoe.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4605_zpstx6duozx.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4605_zpstx6duozx.jpg.html)


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4610_zpsdyy72jft.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4610_zpsdyy72jft.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4612_zpstxq4p72d.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4612_zpstxq4p72d.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4613_zpsxwfiwy3i.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4613_zpsxwfiwy3i.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4614_zps2f6cz5zs.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4614_zps2f6cz5zs.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4615_zpsdzuggeqo.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4615_zpsdzuggeqo.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4616_zpsqxvwsqyt.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4616_zpsqxvwsqyt.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4620_zpsk4glbetj.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4620_zpsk4glbetj.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4623_zps2h8dcw6v.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4623_zps2h8dcw6v.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4624_zps1kbe8fhl.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4624_zps1kbe8fhl.jpg.html)

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! Ugh, I knew I was in for a long day. First things first, put on head phones, second... start chipping away at it. I started this detail at 10am and didn`t turn my ShopVac off until 5pm.

The first thing I did was grab my compressed air line, crank the regulator up to 120 PSI, and started blowing out as much of the loose hair and dirt as possible. This quickly cleared off the dashboard, center console, and leather. After that it was time to get down and dirty with a Speedy Stone pumice stone and the ShopVac. Seven hours later I finally removed 95% of the hair with the remaining 5% being in impossible to reach areas and deeply imbedded into the carpet.

Seats and doors were cleaned with Megs APC, Super Degreaser, various brushes and my VX5000 steamer. Door jambs were wiped down with Megs last touch and a general purpose microfiber. The exterior of the vehicle got my standard decontamination. Wheels cleaned with Sonar Wheel Cleaner Plus, wheel woolies and a green brush, Tires and wheel wells got Zep 505 and a Tuf Shine brush. Paint was cleaned with two buckets, sheep mitt, Chemical Guys Citrus Wash, and assorted brushes. Protected with Collinite Insulator Wax #845. Tires dressed with Ultima tire and trim guard plus, wheel wells with Optimum Opti-bond tire gel.

Here`s the Afters, Enjoy! Comments and critiques are always appreciated

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4665_zpsw4euwp8j.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4665_zpsw4euwp8j.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4666_zpsxnrryxyd.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4666_zpsxnrryxyd.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4667_zpsdmhvfzik.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4667_zpsdmhvfzik.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4669_zpswnefbwcf.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4669_zpswnefbwcf.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4673_zpsgdrpuesi.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4673_zpsgdrpuesi.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4674_zpsreyafwus.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4674_zpsreyafwus.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4675_zpslabftp3e.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4675_zpslabftp3e.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4676_zpsstaknszu.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4676_zpsstaknszu.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4677_zpsf5lgxsim.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4677_zpsf5lgxsim.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4680_zpslvvkpz8y.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4680_zpslvvkpz8y.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4680_zpslvvkpz8y.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4680_zpslvvkpz8y.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4682_zps2v1jibll.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4682_zps2v1jibll.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4684_zpslsnl4lwq.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4684_zpslsnl4lwq.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4686_zpstjbrmkjd.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4686_zpstjbrmkjd.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4687_zpspe0szbvy.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4687_zpspe0szbvy.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4688_zpsaltgy4ho.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4688_zpsaltgy4ho.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4689_zpsurxya1rj.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4689_zpsurxya1rj.jpg.html)

That`s all folks! Hope you enjoyed the turn around. Here`s a few photos of my loyal mascot Kobi beef, that hung out with me throughout this whole detail.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4651_zpsh1lliei3.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4651_zpsh1lliei3.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4659_zpsvvdizq7j.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4659_zpsvvdizq7j.jpg.html)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e361/mcdona13/DSC_4662_zpsnzaz0ge9.jpg (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/mcdona13/media/DSC_4662_zpsnzaz0ge9.jpg.html)[/QUOTE]

[Civicclutch]

Ummm are you sure you didn`t just get new interior lol. Great job on the benz


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[atgonzales]

Nicely done

[Ronkh]

Very nice.

I feel for you, I do this every month or two.

[Don]

Definitely a `hair raising` experience. I did a car like that ONCE! I got the interior finished (or so I thought), then I discovered the rear seat folded forward and I discovered a whole dog worth of hair under the seat ... out comes the RIGID vac again ...

[JSFM35X]

You deserve a Metal (or a straight Jacket) I would never have been able to muster the strength to begin that detail.

Car came out nice, I hope you charged by the hair. Otherwise No thanks ! That`s just tedious work and then you need to clean your equipment!

[mnehls86]

Excellent job! I love your dogs name too. Not sure how difficult it is on a Benz but would it have been easier to pull the seats out?

[dschribs]

I love dogs but thats ridiculous. Awesome job. I don`t know how you accomplished all that in one day!

They should just get a beater to cart the dogs around.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

[ride92]

How can an owner let there car get that bad where the hair is on the instrument cluster? Seriously they probably never vacuumed the thing in the 3-4 years of ownership. Second, Brush the dog!!! I have a lab I never see that level of shedding unless I never groom her.

[Accumulator]

Sean@ShowShine- Welcome to Autopia! That`s great work, my hat`s off to you.

[INSERT usual "what`s wrong with those people?!?" comment, from a guy who hauls dogs almost daily]

[Sizzle Chest]

Oh my...what a turn around. I was shocked at the amount of hair that was allowed to accumulate! Nice work!

[rlmccarty2000]

Wooh buddy! Now that`s some dog hair. I too hope you were paid extravagantly for that was one "hairy" job. Lol

[tom p.]

Sean, welcome aboard! The car looks good. The pooch may not appreciate your efforts. I think dogs prefer things "dirty".

[mikejames]

Nice job and welcome to the forum!

[SVTKID92]

Very nice work!!