Envious Detailing: CL500 BLACK

Envious Eric

New member
<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com
</o:smarttagtype> Mercedes CL500 – BLACK!!!

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When I got the call for a CL500, I was pretty excited since the last black car I did the night before was a super soft jet black BMW. While this black was still soft, it was definitely harder than most black cars on the road! Good thing too as this one was hammered.

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After looking over the car with the owner after an initial ONR wash and chrome wheel polishing, I threw out his options: a 6 hour one step, a 10 hour 2 step, or a 15-20 hours full reconditioning…he opted for the 6 hour one step for now in case he ends up selling it. If it goes 6 months without being sold, it’s booked for a full reconditioning and then my maintenance program!



Lots of deep scratches, painted panels and slight oxidation were over taking this car, not to mention the poor abuse from a previous detailer cutting corners and “getting it done;” holograms all over! I knew I had my work cut out for me so I had to come up with a good process to cut down the swirling, remove the oxidation, and remove the holograms in one single step…I ended up using Menzerna 203 on a hydrotec tangerine pad! This was worked in for about 6-8 passes with slow to moderate pressure/speed on the PC, speed 6 of course! Following the 203, I figured I had time to hit the car with DWG in 15-20 minutes, so I did! This step really helped out the condition of the car since it needed so much more work to come out defect free! After that was applied, I used Blackfire Wet Diamond for the sealant. To say all defects were removed would be a lie, I know this, the owner knows this! I informed him that some of the defects are being “concealed by the glaze”. After all, if the polish didn’t remove them, a glaze surely isn’t! I told him it would need about 3 rounds of compounding/polishing to clear up, but he is holding off for now!

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After talking to his brother for about 15 min while wrapping this one up, I ended up booked his blue Z06 for the same process in two days!

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Products used:

ONR

Megs blue clay, last touch

CG tire shine, citrus wheel cleaner

One grand chrome polish

DWG

BFWD

Detailed image towels – WW

Brand new Costco MF

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Befores:

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Not sure where the after shots are... but how do you think the Costco MFs compare to other microfiber towels? I bought the big 36 pack of them.. are these the same ones you used? I haven't gotten a chance to use other MFs, so I don't know if these are considered quality towels. Thanks.
 
snoboarder8232 said:
Not sure where the after shots are... but how do you think the Costco MFs compare to other microfiber towels? I bought the big 36 pack of them.. are these the same ones you used? I haven't gotten a chance to use other MFs, so I don't know if these are considered quality towels. Thanks.



i learned the hard way when first starting out. The costco towels are good for grunt work. Door Jams, polishing wheels etc . . . . . but not recommended for painted surfaces as they will scratch.



If it's a must to use those towels stick to light colored vehicles as the dark cars will leave the scratches or marring pretty visible.
 
Great job. See the difference in the last pic.



What type and brand of towels do you use on a black car when washing/polishing/waxing?
 
I think I fell asleep....autopia was taking a while to load for me last night.



And the afters…After the 203, I would say about 50% was removed…the deeper stuff remained, while the glaze hid some of the other stuff.



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as for the towels, i forgot they are actually the towels from ADS.com in the 100pk. Brand new, or used once they are softer and wipe up better than any 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 dollar towel I have ever used. After the first use or two, then I dont use them on the paint anymore. Just like the viking towels from target a while back
 
vtec92civic said:
i learned the hard way when first starting out. The costco towels are good for grunt work. Door Jams, polishing wheels etc . . . . . but not recommended for painted surfaces as they will scratch.



If it's a must to use those towels stick to light colored vehicles as the dark cars will leave the scratches or marring pretty visible.



Really?? I've had no problem with them? Use them on a dark red honda and a silver volvo all the time with no issue's at all.



Maybe they have switched brands/vender since you tried them last?
 
I use costco brand mf towels as well. I cant tell if its my towels or my washing methods that leave the marring. Also I have a g35 so my paint is VERY soft ANYTHING leaves marks in my paint. So its hard to tell what leaves the marks.
 
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