Detailed: 2005 Mercedes E55 AMG

[justin30513]

I received a call from a close friend of mine last week asking if I could a car for a friend of his. I`ve been actually trying to land a deal with this new client for about a year now. He told me they were thinking about maybe selling/trading in their Mercedes and that they wanted it completely detailed as soon as possible. He set up the time and date for me and warned me. He warned me that they smoked, had a dog, and lived on a long, gravel road. I told him not to worry......it couldn`t be that bad........... Here`s the details....... Arrived at their house at 7:45. It was a warm 29* outside!
Here`s the befores....http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures016.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures017.jpg
Frosty!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures018.jpg
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Ok. Now for some of the interior......
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Oh yeah......I think there might be a motor in here somewhere!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures026.jpg
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Interior:
I actually did the interior first on this one. Main reason.....everything was frozen! I used Purple Power 4:1 on everything.......carpets, leather, and all panels. I then protected the leather with 2 coats of Wolfgang`s Leather Conditioner. The panels and dash got coating of DP`s Interior Protectant. It just kept sucking this stuff up. The pet hair came up pretty easy. I simply sprayed the carpets with a mix of Downy Fabric Softener (20:1) and then used my blue, nitrile gloves to push it up and into the vacuum.
Wash Cycle:
(Foamed 3 times with NXT/Purple Power Degreaser mix)
Here`s the first of 3 cycles of the foam gun.....
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures037.jpg
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The wheels then got a dedicated washing with Pinnacle`s Wheel Gel. This stuff not only worked well but smelled good to. I then clayed the hood and to my surprise it lifted only a marginal amount of grime. Maybe my washing took care of it. Who knows.
Paint Correction: (Menzerna`s Intensive Polish via rotary & LC Orange Pad)
Well I`ve been practicing quite a bit with my HF rotary and this was a PRIME chance to what I`ve learned. There were deep dog nail scratches that I knew would not come out without wetsanding. I just wanted to make them better. I quickly found out just how hard Mercedes paint could be.
Here are a few shot while working......
Car`s condition....http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures040.jpg
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Taping up....
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures055.jpg
Some of the 50/50`s that we all like so much!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures057.jpg
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Nice before and after of the rear deck lid.....http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures065.jpg
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Paint Polishing: (PB`s PwS & APO60 50/50 mix via UDM & black generic polishing pad) I really love this mix. It lays down some good protection and really finishes out the the surface. It adds depth and gloss. On some of my bi-weeklys, I`m noticing some really good durability. I know it also simply cleans up the paint of any polishes that were left behind. Final Paint Protection: (Souveran X2 applied with Wolfgang foam applicator)
I did one panel and removed the wax before drying. I simply worked my way around the car and then did it all again. Been awhile since I`ve applied anything by hand. I have to say, it was well worth it. The wheels got a coating of Souveran too. If you notice, the driver side rear wheel isn`t chrome like the rest. The customer is waiting a new wheels for it. The tires got a coating of Pinnacle`s Black Onyx Tire Dressing.


I finished up at 2:15PM. I didn`t stop once. I`m beat!

[justin30513]

Afters.......


Interior:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures043.jpg
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Here`s the mats. I put them in the garage to finish drying overnight.http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures093.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures094.jpg
Exterior:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures070.jpg
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Oh yeah.......found the motor!!!
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a127/justin30513/2005%20E55%20AMG/Pictures069.jpg
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[CharlesW]

Great turnaround!
They probably didn`t even recognize the car when you were finished.

One thing I might mention.
While letting any car, let alone a $100K+ one, get into that condition seems really terrible. the people that own it most likely didn`t even realize just how bad it really was. It`s just an appliance to get them where they are going. The vehicle gets in a mess a little at a time and they become accustomed to it day by day.
You can see it a lot if you just look in some of the cars you walk by in a parking lot. Not many of them are in the class of the Mercedes, but probably as big an investment for the owner as the Mercedes was to the people you did the work for.

[justin30513]

Great turnaround!
They probably didn`t even recognize the car when you were finished.

One thing I might mention.
While letting any car, let alone a $100K+ one, get into that condition seems really terrible. the people that own it most likely didn`t even realize just how bad it really was. It`s just an appliance to get them where they are going. The vehicle gets in a mess a little at a time and they become accustomed to it day by day.
You can see it a lot if you just look in some of the cars you walk by in a parking lot. Not many of them are in the class of the Mercedes, but probably as big an investment for the owner as the Mercedes was to the people you did the work for.

I too have noticed the same thing about high end car owners. They simply do not care about the car`s condition!

[southerndetail]

Looks incredible

[Stephan]

excellent job...great turnaround on such a nice car...it amazes me how some cars get that way...I get upset when my Murano gets dirty, I can`t imagine how I would be with that thing...

[Reddwarf]

Another car Justinized! Wow, Justin, that is an awesome job. I`m really impressed that you did all that in 6.5 hours. Incredible. And you did it starting out in 29 degree weather with frost on the car! :yikes:

I love the before picture of the seat with the dirty dog paw prints! Your paint correction is such an incredible difference. Did using the Rotary provide more correction, speed to completion, or both over a PC/UDM?

I don`t get the mixture for the paint protection. You mixed PwS with what? The Souvern looks awesome on that car. Man you went all out on this baby.

Brilliant work. :bow

:yourrock

[BLACKWRX]

how did the engine get so dirty...... thats funny pawl prints and on the leather seats, classic. super rare color for an e55 ....... good job

[NALegacy]

omg. that car was in such bad shape, it brought me out of lurking...

They should have just sent you home with the car...:bigups

[justin30513]

omg. that car was in such bad shape, it brought me out of lurking...

They should have just sent you home with the car...:bigups
Well I`m glad you snuck out to say hello!

Thanks for the compliment!

[cwcad]

Nice post!!

It is a wonder how little thought is put into maintaining a vehicle after spending the dollars. Their vehicle is just an expensive tool. A Hyundi would do the same thing for this family. And I am sure that Justin could make that look good as well.

[Reddwarf]

Nice post!!

It is a wonder how little thought is put into maintaining a vehicle after spending the dollars. Their vehicle is just an expensive tool. A Hyundi would do the same thing for this family. And I am sure that Justin could make that look good as well.

:exactly: I totally agree!

[9D4E420]

Very nice job! Once again a great write up. I have many Benz customers but have never seen one in that bad shape especially on the interior. I guess some folks just don`t give a damn about that stuff.

[Beemerboy]

Nice work I did one of these about 3 weeks back fun car to work on...the one that I detailed was jet black! and hardly in this condition.....I`m still at a lose with the way you do motors...you might put that process up again so that I can see if I am brave enough to try it

[CBlakeNS]

Wow, looks brand new! 100% better, nice work....

They need a SUV definitely! Sucks they live down a dirt road, very nice car.