Mercedes Benz C220 CDi
Whilst finishing last weeks job, the Pug 106 GTi, the parents of a friend of mine turned up in their new Merc. Turns out, they had a nasty scuff/scratch to show me and wondered if I "could do anything about it?" - "Sure!"
The main objective today was to rid of the scuff on the n/s front wing along with a little bit of protection. In the wash stages, I picked out one or two other 'bad' areas that would require some special attention later on.
Again, the moisture in the air and the darkness got the better of me. *shakes fist!*
Total time - 7 hours.
Process
Inspection
Shuts/sills
Wheels/Arches
Pre-wash x2 /wash/rinse/dry
Clay
Paint enhancement
Paint protection
Interior Hoover
Plastics/pedals cleaned
Tyres/Windows/Details
Product
Megs: LastTouch : APC : Wheel Brightener : Super Degreaser
Sonus Green Clay
CG MaxiSuds II
G101
LimePrime
Jeffs Acrylic JETT
Jeffs Acrylic GLOS
Megs Endurance Gel
Frebreeze
AG Metal Polish
Pictures
Now, before we start... After a chat, a coffee and unloading etc, the owner wanted to show me the reversing sensors/beep for when I put the car to bed.. "Fine." It didn't work without the engine on, so the engine *(auto transmission)* was started. Still, it wasn't working; maybe it had to be in gear? I stood back whilst the owner leaned across to put into into P(ark) (or at least that's what I thought he was doing..) The Merc started creeping forward, panic struck as we were only ~5ft away from the garage wall!! As he wasn't fully IN the car, he couldn't' hit the brake pedal... I danced around wondering what to do, tried to support him and reached over for the key *yoink*
Before it came to a halt, there was an almighty shattering noise - it didn't sound as though it was the 'best' start to my day… However, it turns out it was my container for my MF's. Gutted! Still, it could have been worse.
The most annoying thing was that the majority of them had just come out of the wash and now had Mercedes Benz tyre prints/muck all over them!
ANYWAY.. We had to laugh after..
Inspection!
Pretty grubby to be honest!
First up was to work the wheels.
A Selection of brushes. Megs Super-Degreaser for the tyres and Megs Wheel Brightener for the alloys. A piece of sponge for the back of the spokes and the oh so faithful EZ Wheel Brush for the inners.
at this point I usually try and get a photo of each stage, however, I left the adaptor for my tripod at home like a fool!)
Next, the Merc took a hit of foam (ValetPro PH Neutral)
which was left to dwell for 5 minutes (no longer as it was sat in the sun)
Now, considering there is only ~5k miles on this car, and it was Superguarded at purchase, I wasn't too impressed with the protection!
It really was quite grotty; it took two hits of snowfoam before I was happy enough to 'touch' the paint.
Looking a lot more presentable after the TBM:
Whilst in the sun however, it was a different story:
Lots of swirls. Quite severe scratching from sponge use annnd random 'scrubbed' areas.
I went on to clay the car with Sonus Green and Megs LastTouch to assist as the lube.
Overall it wasn't that bad, one or two areas lifted a fair amount:
A quick rinse to remove any LastTouch leftovers, and I had quite a nice surprise.
Once clean, it didn't half give some nice beading! So much for the lack of protection after all!
Car was sheeted with water from a free-flowing hose and then dried with Miracle Dryer and LastTouch.
More damage spotted:
Now, turning my attention to the o/s rear wing, I knew there had been some previous work here as I saw the car the week after it was picked up and questioned if it had had any spray/repair work done. Apparently not.
Right next to/on top of the cluster, here is the ghostly/swirled area:
annnnnd the same panel just a foot to the right:
*waiiit a minute!* hmm..
Regardless of what has happened here, it shouldn't be too difficult to correct.
A paint reading was taken from an area close by:
and then one from the dubious spot:
I had a few readings as high as 290um - safe to say that this area has had some paint?
For starters, I hit the panel with LimePrime on a finishing pad:
An improvement, but still lots to remove.
I then loaded a spot polishing pad onto the rotary and armed it with some Tropi-Care Swirl Cutter Plus (Thanks to Matt from i4detailing for the sample of this :thumb
Nice result; it picked up the lot! :thumb:
Area was re-hit with LimePrime to refine in readiness for LSP.
Seen lower down on the same wing:
After LimePrime:
One or two other areas seen (without direct light source) that would need tackling..
(the scuff that wants removing (seen on the top of the reflection of my head!))
Back with the finishing pad and LimePrime, I work my way around the car.
Delivering some pleasing results along the way:
Before:
After:
Time to look at the scuff on the wing. I can't work out what's hit it.. There seems to be some lighter damage underneath it too:
LP couldn't remove the scuff, which, was understandable. So being left with this:
I had to step up to a polishing pad again and some Menz IP. This combo, after refining, left this finish:
Poifect. No damage in sight. :thumb:
A general before and after:
Before:
After:
50/50 on passenger door:
More defects:
and after plenty of passes and many minutes, I had:
Some areas aren't perfect, but considering it was only an enhancement with LimePrime, it did a really good job.
Oh, the 'swirl-spotter' seen in the above images is my cigarette lighter from the Audi.
Replacing the generic unit, it gives 30minute life of crisp/bright LED and charges once put back in the 12V socket. Smart!
Smaller, tighter areas were polished by hand with a German Applicator Pad.
The Jeffs duo was used today to deliver the LSP.
(yes, one of my triggers has broken! )
My next enhancement job..
Tyres dressed with Megs Endurance. Exhaust worked with AG Metal Polish. Windows wiped with LastTouch.
Exhaust before:
After:
The light dropped ever so quickly this evening.. No fair.
Plastics in the interior were wiped clean. Mats and carpets hovered/spot cleaned. Sills wiped with LastTouch. This, that and t'other.. and I think we're about there.
Garaged:
(really wish I could use the tripod!)
I haven't had the owners thoughts yet, they're away this evening and are calling round first thing in the morning. Fingers crossed, if it's nice weather, I'll be able to take a few finished shots then.
Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed.
Jim
Whilst finishing last weeks job, the Pug 106 GTi, the parents of a friend of mine turned up in their new Merc. Turns out, they had a nasty scuff/scratch to show me and wondered if I "could do anything about it?" - "Sure!"
The main objective today was to rid of the scuff on the n/s front wing along with a little bit of protection. In the wash stages, I picked out one or two other 'bad' areas that would require some special attention later on.
Again, the moisture in the air and the darkness got the better of me. *shakes fist!*
Total time - 7 hours.
Process
Inspection
Shuts/sills
Wheels/Arches
Pre-wash x2 /wash/rinse/dry
Clay
Paint enhancement
Paint protection
Interior Hoover
Plastics/pedals cleaned
Tyres/Windows/Details
Product
Megs: LastTouch : APC : Wheel Brightener : Super Degreaser
Sonus Green Clay
CG MaxiSuds II
G101
LimePrime
Jeffs Acrylic JETT
Jeffs Acrylic GLOS
Megs Endurance Gel
Frebreeze
AG Metal Polish
Pictures
Now, before we start... After a chat, a coffee and unloading etc, the owner wanted to show me the reversing sensors/beep for when I put the car to bed.. "Fine." It didn't work without the engine on, so the engine *(auto transmission)* was started. Still, it wasn't working; maybe it had to be in gear? I stood back whilst the owner leaned across to put into into P(ark) (or at least that's what I thought he was doing..) The Merc started creeping forward, panic struck as we were only ~5ft away from the garage wall!! As he wasn't fully IN the car, he couldn't' hit the brake pedal... I danced around wondering what to do, tried to support him and reached over for the key *yoink*
Before it came to a halt, there was an almighty shattering noise - it didn't sound as though it was the 'best' start to my day… However, it turns out it was my container for my MF's. Gutted! Still, it could have been worse.
The most annoying thing was that the majority of them had just come out of the wash and now had Mercedes Benz tyre prints/muck all over them!
ANYWAY.. We had to laugh after..
Inspection!
Pretty grubby to be honest!
First up was to work the wheels.
A Selection of brushes. Megs Super-Degreaser for the tyres and Megs Wheel Brightener for the alloys. A piece of sponge for the back of the spokes and the oh so faithful EZ Wheel Brush for the inners.
at this point I usually try and get a photo of each stage, however, I left the adaptor for my tripod at home like a fool!)
Next, the Merc took a hit of foam (ValetPro PH Neutral)
which was left to dwell for 5 minutes (no longer as it was sat in the sun)
Now, considering there is only ~5k miles on this car, and it was Superguarded at purchase, I wasn't too impressed with the protection!
It really was quite grotty; it took two hits of snowfoam before I was happy enough to 'touch' the paint.
Looking a lot more presentable after the TBM:
Whilst in the sun however, it was a different story:
Lots of swirls. Quite severe scratching from sponge use annnd random 'scrubbed' areas.
I went on to clay the car with Sonus Green and Megs LastTouch to assist as the lube.
Overall it wasn't that bad, one or two areas lifted a fair amount:
A quick rinse to remove any LastTouch leftovers, and I had quite a nice surprise.
Once clean, it didn't half give some nice beading! So much for the lack of protection after all!
Car was sheeted with water from a free-flowing hose and then dried with Miracle Dryer and LastTouch.
More damage spotted:
Now, turning my attention to the o/s rear wing, I knew there had been some previous work here as I saw the car the week after it was picked up and questioned if it had had any spray/repair work done. Apparently not.
Right next to/on top of the cluster, here is the ghostly/swirled area:
annnnnd the same panel just a foot to the right:
*waiiit a minute!* hmm..
Regardless of what has happened here, it shouldn't be too difficult to correct.
A paint reading was taken from an area close by:
and then one from the dubious spot:
I had a few readings as high as 290um - safe to say that this area has had some paint?
For starters, I hit the panel with LimePrime on a finishing pad:
An improvement, but still lots to remove.
I then loaded a spot polishing pad onto the rotary and armed it with some Tropi-Care Swirl Cutter Plus (Thanks to Matt from i4detailing for the sample of this :thumb
Nice result; it picked up the lot! :thumb:
Area was re-hit with LimePrime to refine in readiness for LSP.
Seen lower down on the same wing:
After LimePrime:
One or two other areas seen (without direct light source) that would need tackling..
(the scuff that wants removing (seen on the top of the reflection of my head!))
Back with the finishing pad and LimePrime, I work my way around the car.
Delivering some pleasing results along the way:
Before:
After:
Time to look at the scuff on the wing. I can't work out what's hit it.. There seems to be some lighter damage underneath it too:
LP couldn't remove the scuff, which, was understandable. So being left with this:
I had to step up to a polishing pad again and some Menz IP. This combo, after refining, left this finish:
Poifect. No damage in sight. :thumb:
A general before and after:
Before:
After:
50/50 on passenger door:
More defects:
and after plenty of passes and many minutes, I had:
Some areas aren't perfect, but considering it was only an enhancement with LimePrime, it did a really good job.
Oh, the 'swirl-spotter' seen in the above images is my cigarette lighter from the Audi.
Replacing the generic unit, it gives 30minute life of crisp/bright LED and charges once put back in the 12V socket. Smart!
Smaller, tighter areas were polished by hand with a German Applicator Pad.
The Jeffs duo was used today to deliver the LSP.
(yes, one of my triggers has broken! )
My next enhancement job..
Tyres dressed with Megs Endurance. Exhaust worked with AG Metal Polish. Windows wiped with LastTouch.
Exhaust before:
After:
The light dropped ever so quickly this evening.. No fair.
Plastics in the interior were wiped clean. Mats and carpets hovered/spot cleaned. Sills wiped with LastTouch. This, that and t'other.. and I think we're about there.
Garaged:
(really wish I could use the tripod!)
I haven't had the owners thoughts yet, they're away this evening and are calling round first thing in the morning. Fingers crossed, if it's nice weather, I'll be able to take a few finished shots then.
Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed.
Jim