pic of my father car.

[opass]

For over a decade, I thought removing swirl marks (marring)can't be done without pro. detailer help. From Nov, 1995 to around Sept, 2001 the car was taken care by me only. Although my dad always parked in the garage and washed the car about every 2 weeks for the last 3 years by local $10 car wash place, did not take long for nightmare to begin. Heavier and heavier marring emerged. Busy schedule prohibit me to step in. Things changed when I read for hours at Autopia "how to" section, refuse to give it up and decided to give it a shoot.



1995 MB E320 metallic black color car with near 90K miles. Took 15 hours just to complete detailing the paint surface.



The following items were applied for this result (from Autopia perfect shine).



1. Meg GC shampoo.

2. Sonus clay with home-made lub (soap and H2O)

3. P21s paint cleaner

4. Sonus SFX 1 (2 coats orange pad), 2 (2 coats green pad) and 3 (1 coat blue pad) with Sonus DAS pads line.

5. Klasse SG (3 coats) buff with CBT.

6) P21s wax (1 coat)



PC 7335 were used (set between 4-5). Complete MF towels (drying, buffing) , wash mitts and applicators all from Sonus.



Here is the link for the photos.



http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/angel...g.photos.yahoo.com/ph/angelesforest/my_photos



Since I recenlty move back and live just a few block away from my parent, no body lay their hands on it. Sorry dad, please stop using those towel...etc. I AM BACK



Tell me how I did, good or bad.

 

[JaCkaL829]

For a 10 year old E320 that looks incredible. One comment is I think you did too many coats of the SFX. I think 1 coat of each polish would have been fine. Multiple passes are usually only used for paint that has some serious defects. Also i'd wait 24 hours between each coat of Klasse SG and your carnuaba topper (P21s), for future reference. Overall it came out really good though, not sure how it looked before, but it has a nice shine now. I also see your from Irvine, CA, I believe thats where Meguiar's is located so maybe you can get some hands-on tips from them.

 

[MongooseGA]

That trunk shot looks great!



I can't tell your progress becase we don't know where you started.



Like Johnny said, roughly 24 hours between each coat of SG and each layer of wax after that it reccomended. Just for letting it 'cure'.



BTW, I thank you for reading up and researching how to do this on your own. It's so much easier and less stressfull than asking how to detail a car. :xyxthumbs

 

[imported_Sullybob]

The car looks great. What did you use on the tires? The only thing I can add is to dress the wheel wells also. It will make a big differance when you look at the car.

 

[opass]

For a 10 year old E320 that looks incredible. One comment is I think you did too many coats of the SFX. I think 1 coat of each polish would have been fine. Multiple passes are usually only used for paint that has some serious defects. Also i'd wait 24 hours between each coat of Klasse SG and your carnuaba topper (P21s), for future reference. Overall it came out really good though, not sure how it looked before, but it has a nice shine now. I also see your from Irvine, CA, I believe thats where Meguiar's is located so maybe you can get some hands-on tips from them.

I applied multi layers for SFX 1 & 2 because I was trying to remove a few deep scratches. Plan to buy those cheap paint meter to check for thickness if it is not expensive.



Meg head quarter indeed is located in Irvine. Purchased a lot of stuffs right at their office about 8 years ago. But the outcome was not that good, mostly caused by me. No PC machine, wrong pads, very wrong washing technic, Strong wind blowing while detailing....etc.

 

[opass]

For a 10 year old E320 that looks incredible. One comment is I think you did too many coats of the SFX. I think 1 coat of each polish would have been fine. Multiple passes are usually only used for paint that has some serious defects. Also i'd wait 24 hours between each coat of Klasse SG and your carnuaba topper (P21s), for future reference. Overall it came out really good though, not sure how it looked before, but it has a nice shine now. I also see your from Irvine, CA, I believe thats where Meguiar's is located so maybe you can get some hands-on tips from them.

The car was loaded with spider web marks, rough surfaces, dried water marks, nasty oil stain 6"x1" @front driver side fender, light oxidation. (Forgot to take pic before start).



Thanks for advising about how to layering the KSG and wax, however, my father was rushing this project. :nixweiss " Son, it is good enough. Can I drive it now? I can't wait for another 4 days."

 

[opass]

The car looks great. What did you use on the tires? The only thing I can add is to dress the wheel wells also. It will make a big differance when you look at the car.

Good call.........My dad was in a hurry, so I skip it. Should put dressing on tires long time ago.

 

[EnduroExpertFSR]

not trying to be a real pain or anything just some stuff a newb notices



there appears to be some leftover product on some of the trim like around the windows and door handles



maybe not just wondering if there is



other wise it looks awesome



im about to be detailing the truck in my sig for the first time since ive owned it so u shall get a chance to get me back

 

[opass]

not trying to be a real pain or anything just some stuff a newb notices



there appears to be some leftover product on some of the trim like around the windows and door handles



maybe not just wondering if there is



other wise it looks awesome



im about to be detailing the truck in my sig for the first time since ive owned it so u shall get a chance to get me back

I don't mind at all. After all this is how we get improve from each other.



Hawk's vision. Indeed some wax were left on windows. Good catch. Planning to detail the interior completely and touch up the exterior trim on the next carwash.

 

[wash-girl]

Looks great, and your dad sure looks pleased! I agree with the suggestion that you dress the wheel wells, but that's a minor nit-pick. Congrats on your first big detailing success. Too bad there are no before pictures, I'd love to see what you started with. Judging by your description, it must be really satisfying to see the improvement.