View Full Version : `89 MB 560SL Transformation!
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 10:27 PM
Monday, my husband and I detailed a 1989 Mercedes Benz 560SL which had badly neglected paint. The paint was chalky, stained, and terribly scratched and swirled. After 9 hours work (interior & exterior - the interior was not too bad, just needed a good detail in all the cracks & crevices), we were tired, but very pleased with our work.
We were unable to remove all the scratches on the trunk & roof (it needed a rotary) but were able to restore such a shine that they were much less noticeable. All the staining & chalkiness was removed. Trent polished all the chrome (and it has a lot!) and we detailed all the rubber, which was in very good condition, except the black door handles.
I really wish this car was mine!!!
OK - to start - Here it is before washing -- the wheels were coated in brake dust -- it took forever on each one!!
http://www.geocities.com/shanninic/MBbeforewashingfullview.jpg
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 10:29 PM
Now, after washing -- my pictures don`t show it well, but the water not only lay flat on the paint, it was as if the paint was soaking it up!!
http://www.geocities.com/shanninic/MBafterwashingrearfender.jpg
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 10:31 PM
Here`s the scary part!! It looked as if someone had taken a kitchen scrubber and attacked the trunk!! As I said, we couldn`t remove all these scratches, but did lessen the appearance greatly.
http://www.geocities.com/shanninic/MBbeforepolishingtrunk.jpg
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 10:32 PM
The roof was a swirly mess - and looked as if someone had gone at it with a rotary, not knowing how to use it. Almost all of these marks were gone when we finished.
http://www.geocities.com/shanninic/MBbeforeroofscratches.jpg
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 10:33 PM
And now! The Transformation!! Check out that shine!! (And my pics don`t do the car justice at all!)
http://www.geocities.com/shanninic/MBafterpolishingroof.jpg
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 10:35 PM
And the dreaded trunk!! You can still see a few scratches if you look carefully at the picture. (toward the driver`s side)
http://www.geocities.com/shanninic/MBafterpolishingtrunk.jpg
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 10:37 PM
Ahhhh! Detailing, what a joy to see a car returned to it`s former glory!
P.S. Thursday, we are doing the M5 in the background! :bounce
http://www.geocities.com/shanninic/MBafterdetailingfrontview.jpg
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 10:39 PM
One last pic -- wish my lighting had been better!! We didn`t have time to take great pictures as we were doing 3 cars (full details) in 2 days so we had to move quickly to the next car.
http://www.geocities.com/shanninic/MBafterdetailingfullview.jpg
edit: detailing info: 3M Perfect-It II; 3M Finesse It II; 3M SMR; DC Car Care Super Glaze; Meguiar`s #26. (Wish we coulda use Klasse & P21S!) TW 2001 Tire Gel on Tires -- wheels were polished, glazed & waxed also. Stoner`s on the windows; Turtle Wax :scared Chrome Polish on the chrome.
bjwebster
08-15-2002, 10:58 PM
Looks Good! Nothing Like A Shiny Old Benz! ;)
:xyxthumbs :up :xyxthumbs :up
Taxlady
08-15-2002, 11:11 PM
Nice job. How did you like the "Turtle Wax :scared Chrome Polish"?
imported_seres
08-15-2002, 11:23 PM
Actually, it works pretty well. I hate to polish chrome, so that`s my husband`s job. :D He uses it all the time -- even brought his `65 Spitfire hubcaps back to life with it. :up
imported_edschwab1
08-16-2002, 05:35 AM
Nice work. I have always like that series of SL`s. I think GreenMonster did a similar vintage SL. I would like to see pics of the M5 when completed.
Eric
imported_seres
08-16-2002, 09:03 AM
Originally posted by edschwab1
Nice work. I have always like that series of SL`s. I think GreenMonster did a similar vintage SL. I would like to see pics of the M5 when completed.
Eric
Will do! We`re only doing the one car that day, so we should be able to take some decent pictures! I`m really looking forward to working on it. At least if we can own these cars, we get to "play" with them! :D
BradE
08-16-2002, 09:20 AM
Great Job Volvo!! Almost anyone can make a new car look good, but it takes someone very talented to bring back an older neglected car.
Great Work! :xyxthumbs
:bounce
mercedesfanatic
08-18-2002, 11:12 AM
Man, that`s a classic! That was BIG PIMPIN` back in the day!!!