'08 C350 Detail - (LOTS OF PICS)

[milani]

Well, I finally had time to get a full exterior detail on the new C350 this weekend. The paint was in really good shape. However, I got hit by a flying rock Friday night, so now I have a rock chip in the hood. Sounds like a trip to the dealer for some paint, and a Langka kit! Well, on with the show...



The Products



Cleaning

Meg's GC Wash

Meg's All Wheel Cleaner

Oil Eater Degreaser

Plexus

Griot's Window Cleaner

Griot's Undercarriage Spray

Griot's Rubber Cleaner

Vinylex

Zaino Z-18 Clay Bar

Polishing

Griot's Chrome Polish

Eagle One Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish

P21S Multi-Surface Finish Restorer

P21S Gloss-Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser

Zaino AIO

Zaino Z-2

Zaino ZFX

Zaino Z-6

Zaino Z-8

Equipment

Griot's Bucket

Microfiber Mitt

Griot's Long Brush

Autozone MF Wheel Brush

Autozone Single-spoke brush

Cotton Chenille Mitt

Bonaire Spray and Wash Gun

PC 7424

Sonus SFX White Pad

Cotton Applicator

Griot's Wheel Dressing Applicator

The Process



First, some before pics:

On to the wheels. MBZ brake pads, nothing but dust, but they work! Before Shot:

Presoaked with Oil Eater/Water solution.

Scrubbed them lightly with the new MF brush and spoke brush.

Shot them with All Wheel Cleaner, agitated again, and rinsed. Then used GG Rubber cleaner on the tires, scrubbed and rinsed.

Dry Shot:

Now, onto the rest of the car. Pre-soaked car with the Spray and Wash gun filled with Meg's GC wash.

Washed with microfiber mitt and GC wash.

Then a 2nd wash. During the 2nd wash, used the Z18 clay on paint and windows. Picked up gunk right away.

Some clean (not dry) shots:

After looking over the paint, I found some defects that needed attention, including the nasty paint chip...

SO I pulled the car into the garage, and dried her off...

 

[milani]

Next, on to the engine. It was in pretty good shape since I dressed it when I brought the car home.



Before:

After (Dressed with vinylex):

AFter the engine, I went after the scratches that I found with p21s Multi-surface finish restorer by hand, then followed them up with P21s GEPC, then wiped with IPA to remove oils.



Then I applied ZAIO with the PC and a white Sonus SFX Pad. Let it haze.

Then removed residue with Sonus Microfiber Bonnet.



After ZAIO:

I then wiped the car down with Z-6 to prepare for the first coat of Z-2 with ZFX. I did 2 coats of Z2 with a Z-6 Wipedown between coats.



After Z2:

 

[milani]

After the Z2, I did a wipedown with Z-6, then applied 1 coat of Z-8, and I was out of light for the night.



The next morning, I applied a 2nd wipedown of Z-8, cleaned the windows, dressed the seals, trim, and wheels, and used Plexus on any plastic I could find. I also polished the chrome exhaust with wadding and the GG chrome polish.





Some afters in the garage:

And full-sun shots:

 

[milani]

The interior did not need much lovin', since I also did the interior when I brought her home from the dealer. Vacuumed out the interior and the mats. I wiped down the interior with Megs' Interior Detailer. I polished any plastic with Plexus, and I did the windows with GG Window Cleaner...

Well, there she is. Hope you enjoy!

 

[Mobilejay]

Nice job, I love the new C class. Have fun with her

 

[rwisejr]

Nice job and sweet ride good luck with her.

 

[milani]

BTW - What has everyone been doing with the panoramic roof as far as cleaning/protecting? I just clayed it lightly, and sprayed with GG Window cleaner and buffed clean. Anything special you all have been doing with it?

 

[Legacy]

Gee you could have used your arms to clean those wheels. J/J Nice job on that silver paint. Hard to make white or silver pop. You did a great job.

 

[razr007]

very nice i like this series benz

 

[milani]

Thanks Guys!!!



Legacy99 - They're not THAT big. They are only 17's... And yes, it's hard to make silver pop. I've got both silver and white at home...

 

[milani]

Legacy99 - I realized last night what you meant about using my arms when I was looking at the pics again!!! :LOLOL

BTW - What has everyone been doing with the panoramic roof as far as cleaning/protecting? I just clayed it lightly, and sprayed with GG Window cleaner and buffed clean. Anything special you all have been doing with it?

Any suggestions, or do you treat it like any other glass?

 

[BuffMe]

Paint looks awesome. I have to suggest that next go around on the detailing you might use Optimum's Opti-Seal x2 followed up by OCW. The Opti-Seal gives amazing reflection to silver and the OCW adds depth on top of that. It's my absolutely go to combo involving most silver cars, particularly metallics, and I think you would be absolutely floored (even though Zaino looks great on it as well). Great job.