Mercedes SL 550 (First detail with a Flex 3401)

J

Justins00ss

Active member
Hey guys I got my Flex 3401 on Friday and today I was able to use it on this2014 SL550. Wasn't able to get any before pics due to time constraints. But even with 9k on the odometer it was in need of some correction work.The owner had just had the fender resprayed a few weeks ago and the car was covered in over spray. After a discussion with the owner we settled on a one step correction to maximize gloss within his budget.

1. Wheels cleaned with Iron x.
2. 2 bucket method with gold class car shampoo
3. Nano skin wash mit and megs clay bar for over spray removal
4. 3401 with orange CCS pad and PF2500. Hood and trunk finished with SF4000 and gray CCS pad.
5. Pinnacle black label Synergy as my LSP
6. Glass cleaned with Meguiars aerosol glass cleaner.

Overall Iam very impressed with the 3401 correction ability. I was able to achieve 90% or better with pf2500 in one step. Great tool and cannot wait to use it again.





















 
Great looking job ! You are gonna love the Flex. Its a great machine especially for those one step corrections. Just much more efficient at correcting than a std. DA. If you decide that you want to try any microfiber pads, go with the Buff N Shine. They work great with the Flex.
 
tropicsteve said:
outstanding finish Justin. nothing like having a high quality polisher, congrats.
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Thank you sir!! Very happy that I pulled the trigger. I found a deal on this and was at the right place at the right time.

bswombaugh said:
Great looking job ! You are gonna love the Flex. Its a great machine especially for those one step corrections. Just much more efficient at correcting than a std. DA. If you decide that you want to try any microfiber pads, go with the Buff N Shine. They work great with the Flex.
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Thank you very much for the tip. You are right. Just from doing this one car I can tell that it really has great correcting power over my DA


Stokdgs said:
Beautiful, beautiful, work !!!!
Thanks for sharing !
Dan F
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Thank you:)

jtford95 said:
Awesome job! looks like it is wet. Is that the heavy duty flex polisher?
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Thank you very much. No this isnt the HD model with the 25ft cord.


Klock said:
Awesome work! Glad to hear you have a new German engineered friend!
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Thanks! Yeah I guess me and the Germans can get along after all. LOL

zckid said:
Very nice job. fully agreed the 3401 is a great tool.


keep going buddy.
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Totally agree!!!

The Driver said:
Great work! I know the 3401 is an absolute must in any Detailers arsenal.
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Yeah I just wish 4 years ago I new about them more.
 
wdmaccord said:
Beautiful paint! Nice work! Did most of the overspray come off with just the nanoskin/clay?
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Yeah I really had to work it with the clay. My Nanoskin is a fine grade and just didn't have it in it to remove the heavy stuff. Just when I think I had it all off. I would polish a panel then still see/feel it:wall Back to the clay I would go and then re-polish again. I had about 4-5hrs in it. Could of been a 2-3hr job without that over spray.


Speaking of over spray. The customer called me yesterday. They are building a new house next door and over the weekend they were outside spraying the house so guess what. His wifes Mercedes has white exterior house paint over it. He called the contractor to let them know what happened.
 
""
Speaking of over spray. The customer called me yesterday. They are building a new house next door and over the weekend they were outside spraying the house so guess what. His wifes Mercedes has white exterior house paint over it. He called the contractor to let them know what happened ""

Oh no!!!!
The Contractor hopefully has Insurance, and you can get good $$$ for this work...

Mercedes normally is hard paint, so that is better than finicky softer paint..

There used to be and perhaps maybe still is this guy in Texas who removes overspray with a single edge razor blade.. First time I saw the video, I was amazed...

If you get to do this overspray removal on the Mercedes, make sure you charge a lot because its probably in every square inch of the car, glass, lights, trim, wheels, tires, etc...

Sometimes depending on the paint type it can be removed safely with thinner for that paint, or mineral spirits, etc... Be careful, test with a Q tip, out of the sun, have good lighting, and be ready to spray/flush it off if needed...

Good luck !
DanF
 
Great work on an awesome car! Did the SF4000 make a striking difference? I know PF2500 finishes down very well, but just wondering if the extra step is worth it.
 
WaxAddict said:
Great work on an awesome car! Did the SF4000 make a striking difference? I know PF2500 finishes down very well, but just wondering if the extra step is worth it.
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Yeah I noticed a little bit of a difference. It was only the hood and trunk so it wasn't much extra work.


Stokdgs said:
""
Speaking of over spray. The customer called me yesterday. They are building a new house next door and over the weekend they were outside spraying the house so guess what. His wifes Mercedes has white exterior house paint over it. He called the contractor to let them know what happened ""

Oh no!!!!
The Contractor hopefully has Insurance, and you can get good $$$ for this work...

Mercedes normally is hard paint, so that is better than finicky softer paint..

There used to be and perhaps maybe still is this guy in Texas who removes overspray with a single edge razor blade.. First time I saw the video, I was amazed...

If you get to do this overspray removal on the Mercedes, make sure you charge a lot because its probably in every square inch of the car, glass, lights, trim, wheels, tires, etc...

Sometimes depending on the paint type it can be removed safely with thinner for that paint, or mineral spirits, etc... Be careful, test with a Q tip, out of the sun, have good lighting, and be ready to spray/flush it off if needed...

Good luck !
DanF
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Thanks for the tips. I have had a couple over spray jobs before. Thinner is my last choice if the clay is taking to long. I plan on fully charging for this job.
 
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