Washing / Polishing

[aquiss]

I am lucky enough to haven taken delivery last week of a new C-Class sport with around 7k worth of extra trimmings ( ) to replace my 4 year old C-Class Aventgarde, as can be seen http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4301&l=abfe6&id=689455094

My old car all i did was wash it, which always cleaned up nice, however I really do want to take special care of the new one, especially being black, to keep it as clean and polished as possible.

Are there any brands (I am UK based) treatment plans you guys recommend to keep the beast looking it's best?

 

[carabind]

Meguiars works best for me, I believe they are actually what is in some of the branded MB polish and shampoos etc. For those who travel to the states, it's worth noting it's about 50% cheaper there. (walmart etc)

It might also be worth considering Diamondbrite - generally a dealer application, DIY kits are available via the web. I put some on a year ago and haven't had to get out the polish since. Simply use their additive to washj to car and this keeps the coating topped up.

Black is a curse and blessing - nothing to beat the shine when spotless, but every mark shows. If you do a lot of motoraway driving, worthing investigating the film that covers the front end, to save the pebbledash effect (chips etc)

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
As Carabind says 'Meguiars' I can thoroughly recommend it. Halfords do a selection of 'Meguiars' products but i,ve bought all mine from E-Bay.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

I am lucky enough to haven taken delivery last week of a new C-Class sport with around 7k worth of extra trimmings ( ) to replace my 4 year old C-Class Aventgarde, as can be seen http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4301&l=abfe6&id=689455094

My old car all i did was wash it, which always cleaned up nice, however I really do want to take special care of the new one, especially being black, to keep it as clean and polished as possible.

Are there any brands (I am UK based) treatment plans you guys recommend to keep the beast looking it's best?

Isn't there a option to have some sort of protective coating applied to the car? I seem to remember in the not-too dim and distant past, this being an option offered by a dealership.

Ah.....The memory cells are working again - I saw it in a Skoda dealership (NOT ME-my wifes car!!) about 12 months ago.

The option was to have a synthetic coating applied - which eliminated the need to apply polish - it also provided an extra-hard surface against minor scratches and stone chips.

Anyone out there who could elaborate on this???

p.s. Remember 'Ziebart' - whatever happened to the company? I had one of my cars treated, many, many years ago - maybe its still out there somewhere - rust-free..!!

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

I regularly use autoglym products, i find them really good

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Ziebart

Yes I can remember them!...............they went bust!!!!!:roll:

 

[whitenemesis]

JEL.ML270...

That would be Starshield

Had mine done when I bought it from MB, wonderful .. very easy to keep clean. Even had the inside done, not such a great success, but everything is covered by 3yr warranty against stains, marks etc..

 

[myredsl]

Isn't there a option to have some sort of protective coating applied to the car? I seem to remember in the not-too dim and distant past, this being an option offered by a dealership.

Ah.....The memory cells are working again - I saw it in a Skoda dealership (NOT ME-my wifes car!!) about 12 months ago.

The option was to have a synthetic coating applied - which eliminated the need to apply polish - it also provided an extra-hard surface against minor scratches and stone chips.

Anyone out there who could elaborate on this???

p.s. Remember 'Ziebart' - whatever happened to the company? I had one of my cars treated, many, many years ago - maybe its still out there somewhere - rust-free..!!

Meguiars has proved to be excellent on dark colours,especially the 3 stage set or the Gold Class . The dealership treatment you mentioned might be Autoglym Lifeshine or Permagard !?

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

Many dealers use the supa guard brand

 

[dava]

Check this link out and look at some of the black cars, you'll see whats acheivable, http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php? As with every thing it's a science and it's all about how you do it, I've got a black R171 and as you can see black comes up lovely. I use alot of the techniques recommended on this site, washing correctly, clay baring etc, this result was using megs NXT. But like I say to alot who ask what polish do you use, it's not about the make it's about what you do before you apply it.

 

[dava]

Check this link out this is what can be acheived with black and this car was only two months old.http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=47837

 

[FIBAMAN]

Dava, please come and do mine, I'm just over the watter (ps not mackem)

 

[rf065]

JEL.ML270...

That would be Starshield

Had mine done when I bought it from MB, wonderful .. very easy to keep clean. Even had the inside done, not such a great success, but everything is covered by 3yr warranty against stains, marks etc..

Sounds the same stuff as mine, but it was called Pure Guard by Interclean.
Mercedes will make a lot of commision on products like this, try and negotiate it as part of the deal instead of paying. They may say it costs £299, but it probably costs them £50 or less.

More traditional is the polish routine, Collinite #476S Super Doublecoat Auto Wax is probably one of the best, pricey, but it is detergent proof and one application will last 6 months or more.

Russ