1991 Mercedes Benz W126 detail

Clean Dean

Keep it clean !!!
Had to share this one !!! This car was in amazing all original condition !!!





This engine bay belongs to a 16k mile 1991 Mercedes Benz 420 SEL. It took approximately 2.5 hours to detail, and when I was finished I marveled at how well all of the original components and all the factory marking have been maintained. The engine was fairly well covered with a protective yellow wax like coating that some refer to as cosmoline. The engine was never pressure washed during its 17 year life, and I took great care to lightly pressure wash areas where needed (lower portion of engine) and used a combination of full strength APC, Mothers Aluminum Polish, and Lacquer thinner to remove the cosmoline before washing. All of the engines aluminum components as well as the air filter cover were polished to a slightly matte shine with Mothers Aluminum polish. I have been guilty in the past of over polishing these air filter covers to an almost chrome like shine with a buffer, but I know that these covers did not come from the factory that way. The engine bay was dressed with non-aerosal trim shine prior to letting the engine run for about 20 minutes to evaporate off the excess then touched up with Stioner aerosol Trim Shine and wiped with an old MF towel.





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The exterior and interior of the car was also in amazing condition !!! Check out these 17 year old OEM wheels. This car was a true pleasure to detail.



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Chrome was exceptional !!! Polished by hand with Maas and a MF towel.



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Jay showed me these pics after you detailed it. You are a fricken MAGICIAN with those cars!!! The engine is INSANE!!! I salute you! :usa



Can't wait to see that mercedes done that you showed me the other day!! :D
 
Jay showed me these pics after you detailed it. You are a fricken MAGICIAN with those cars!!! The engine is INSANE!!! I salute you!



Can't wait to see that mercedes done that you showed me the other day!!



Thanks Dave. You have to see this car in person !!! I was salivating when this one was delivered the other day. It was pleasure meeting meeting you last week, and that old 450 SL gets started on monday/tuesday next week. I have my work cut out for me with that one.
 
Clean Dean- Where *DO* you find these things :eek: Heh heh, you just knew I'd be all over this one :D Looks like it oughta go to StarFest.



Looks great of course....and I do like that level of polish on the air cleaner ;)



Interesting that the lacquer thinner was safe to use on the factory rustproofing, I woulda been afraid to use it anywhere near the factory paint on that one (weren't they still using lacquer-based clears on them in '91 :confused: ).



Oh, and yeah, you don't see many of those wheels that've stayed that nice!
 
Clean Dean- Where *DO* you find these things Heh heh, you just knew I'd be all over this one Looks like it oughta go to StarFest.



Looks great of course....and I do like that level of polish on the air cleaner



Interesting that the lacquer thinner was safe to use on the factory rustproofing, I woulda been afraid to use it anywhere near the factory paint on that one (weren't they still using lacquer-based clears on them in '91 ).



The laquar thinner is used sparingly on the paint (mostly a strong APC). However the laquar thinner cuts the cosmoline like butter on the metal components. Dont use too much, it will take aff the factory markings.



BTW... Car is on ebay now with pictures in direct sunlight (mint). I wish I could take the credit for finding it, because then it would be mine. :mad:
 
Dean, that's phenomenal. Still represents the "flagship" of the Mercedes product line for me.



My neighbors have the identical 420SEL...it doesn't look quite that nice ;) In fact, the car is a real embarrassment to fellow Benz owners. Oh, well.
 
Wow...that thing really is spectacular! Those seats must be newer leather...



Really, really nice. How much is it on for on eBay? I'd be tempted to buy it...
 
Man, you do a lot of 80's and 90's high end European cars.



That thing is a true cream puff, I was looking at the eBay pics, hot damn! The definition of "like new".



GoodnClean - $26,800 on eBay
 
Looks absolutely amazing. Wish you had some before pics, tho.



Don't worry I have a 1978 450 SL that I will be transforming in about a week. I'll post B&A's on that one. I started this one at 5:00 AM and and did not take any before pics due to the low light at that time in the morning.



The leather and the entire car was all original. No paintwork whatsoever.
 
Awesome :cool:

That interior is to die for. Nearly 18 years old.



It is my belief that this model was the finest S-Class that Mercedes ever made. Thanks for sharing :):2thumbs:
 
That car is mint! With that mileage, those might be the original Michelins. I look forward to your Mercedes details, can't wait to see the 450 SL when you finish it.
 
Clean Dean said:
..BTW... Car is on ebay now with pictures in direct sunlight (mint). I wish I could take the credit for finding it, because then it would be mine. :mad:



Oh sheesh, don't tell me that...but OK, I can talk myself out of a 420. Now if it were a 560....



And I think I'll stick with New Car Prep instead of lacquer thinner, at least on Benzes of that vintage ;) But I believe you about how it cuts the rustproofing!
 
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