2005 Blk Merc E500 -Polishing Wheels

[Richard@BlackWOW]

This is a car that I maintain a few times a month. However due to holidays, scheduling, and rain, it definitely took a beating that normally isn't seen in other months. It's not really an "Extreme Makeover" but the segment on polishing wheels might be interesting to anyone that's had to deal with uncoated polished aluminum wheels.



At first glance it doesn't look "that" bad.

But change your viewing angle and look a little closer and you'll see that it doesn't look good either!



BEFORE

Paint has a coat of dust on it. Reflectivity is on the dull side.

Lots of waterspots.

Wheels were covered in dirt and brake dust.

Finish doesn't look very good from this angle! Waterspots can clearly be seen in the highlights.

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

More ugly stuff on the paint. Bug impacts, bird poo, waterspots, ugh, some light swirls!



I normally start with the dirtiest part of the car, the wheels. But knowing that Wheel Brightener is too harsh for this car, I began by spraying the wheels and the bird poo with APC and saturating it. Then using a body brush with flagged ends dipped in Gold Class Car Wash soap, I gently washed the wheels.



AFTER

Ok, these are the wheels I'm washing with Meguiar's Car Wash soap and a soft brush. These uncoated wheels don't like wheel cleaners, they are much to harsh.

As you can see here, the lip is a bit cloudy and dull. This is from the dealer who serviced the car after the new wheels were put on, and they washed the car and used a wheel cleaner!

I decided to try my Mothers Powerball. I've had this for several months now, but just didn't have a chance to use it. It's mounted on a standard drill.

How do I get the polish on to the wheel, then polish with the Powerball? Easy with an applicator pad. Notice the pad is clean and the Metal Polysh is blue.

Applying Metal Polysh to the lip.

Just a few passes and my clean pad is already black! And the wheels were already clean!

A few more applications of Metal Polysh followed by buffing with the Powerball, now look at the difference!

Looks beautiful doesn it?

It was easy to polish out the lip, although the Powerball had a tendency to grab the spokes.

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

My new Powerball doesn't look so new anymore!

Here's another wheel. It looks pretty bad.

Hmmm, wonder if that same process will restore this one?

I decided that I better finish off the paint before trying to polish the last wheel.

Front wheel looks pretty decent now.

Yep, even from this angle!

Looks like that deep lip polished out nicely as well.

Yep looks good from here!



Paint looks much better here

I noticed some swirls, so I polished out the paint with a PC and M80.

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

There's definitely a joy in maintaining a nice car. The first time you work on it, you need the big guns to polish it out, but over time, simpler tools like the PC is all you need to maintain it!

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

All done! The Mercedes looks spectacular again, and I'll be back in a few weeks to wash it again!

 

[BigAl3]

The first time you work on it, you need the big guns to polish it out, but over time, simpler tools like the PC is all you need to maintain it!

agreed. for autopians and the alike, when you have a new car (or car already in great shape) that has minimal to no swirls, the pc may be all that you need as you will maintain it's condition and there isn't any major correction needed/to perform (unless something happens). great job as always richard, and thanks for sharing your awesome work! :goodjob

 

[sevenrd]

Car looks great, OctaneGuy!



I've also seen much of your incredible work on the Meg's forum. Outstanding stuff.

 

[dtailmycar]

Just excellent work! How long did the full detail took you? When you do details at the customer house do you use their power/water/electricity? Do you make any kind of adjustment on the price because of that?

 

[gmblack3]

Yes the powerball works great.



Nice job on the paint too! :bow

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

I answered this same question in my 2005 black corvette thread, but for this detail it was a 5 hour maintenance detail. Just wash and buff. A full detail normally takes me 11 to 14 hours.



Richard

Just excellent work! How long did the full detail took you? When you do details at the customer house do you use their power/water/electricity? Do you make any kind of adjustment on the price because of that?

 

[Scottwax]

Absolutely superb work! The wheels look brand new and the paint is dripping with wetness!

 

[ChiliCooperS]

Octane WHAT'S UP!?!?! Representin' MINIs I see! :hifive: Nice detail man, are you familiar with MINI's R90s? Can the lip be brought to a similar shine as those. It is incredible... Once again nice work and nice car (your MINI :bigups), oh that E55 isn't bad either.



NICE!



Mikey

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

Thanks everybody for your kind comments!



ScottWax.

Your comments are always very much appreciated. I know Mike P really admires you cause he tells me that all the time, so having you provide feedback to me is very much an honor.



ChiliCooperS

Yep, I use my MINI as my detailing rig, but I'm considering to tow a small trailer to ease the trouble of having to load and unload my car all the time converting between family car and detailing rig. The trailer is still a mini trailer, not miniature trailer, but similar, but then I'd need a safe place to store that.



Anyways, good seeing you here! I'll be posting a couple recent MINI details soon. =)

 

[602rwtq]

great narrative and photos. thank you.