So this past weekend I was given the opportunity to detail the Merc ML which was long over due. This car is about three years old and must say is in really good nic. So was the C350 I did so I didn’t expect more from the ML considering its about 3 years older than the C-Class…but boy oh boy how I was mistaking. Did I mention this thing is huge; it took two and half days, me, Willem, David and about 28 cups of coffee to finish. Here’s how it went.
Products used:
- Sonax Gloss Shampoo
- Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner
- Shield Blade APC
- Automagic Clay Medium (purple)
- Adams Detailing Spray
- Menz Intensive Polish
- Menz FF
- Poorboys White Diamond Glaze
- CG M-Seal
- AG HD Wax
- Adams Undercarriage Spray
- Turtle Wax Tyre Dressing
- Smartwax Rimwax
- AG VRC
- Smart Dressing
- Smartwax Blue-b-Gone Metal Shine
Brushes used:
- Daytona Wheel Brush
- AG High Tech Wheel Brush
- Meguiars Slide Lock Brush
- Mom’s Kitchen Brush
- Tyre Brush
- Long Handle Fender Brush
Cloths used:
- Variety of Shield and CD MF Cloths
- CD Applicator Pads.
- MF Sponge
Day 1
I immediately made haste with the nitty gritty stuff as I knew I needed as much time on the paintwork as possible, this thing is huge! The wheels were covered with brake dust and grime. Once again I turned to the Sonax brand and to be honest the grime didn’t stood a chance. The wheels were cleaned with help of the Daytona brush as well as my new AG high tech brush (I’m getting the hang of this thing now) Have a look…
And wait for it…
The tyres were sprayed with APC and tackled with the tyre brush. The same method was followed when it came to the arches. They cleaned up nicely. Unfortunately I failed to take pics but I managed to clean most of the undercarriage (skid plate, front shocks, drive shafts and steering arms as well as the exhaust boxes)
The wheels after pics will follow soon.
So next was the wash session. I don’t really like washing in direct sunlight so I got the heads up on washing the vehicle inside the garage. Wish my garage was suited for this.
Whoever designed this grill at Mercedes-Benz did not have us detailers in mind. Lots of detailing here and very time consuming when washed.
I recently started using the MF sponge as it seems to created more foam than cloths, the only negative about it is that it’s difficult to get off the tougher spots and grime. Every panel got washed twice to insure that no dirt got left behind on the paint.
After the wash the car got rinsed (using the water dry method) and pulled into the garage. It was quite hot on the day so most of the droplets dried away, so there was very little drying to do, such a shame as I love using the CD drying towel.
Next up, the clay
From my experience with the C Class I thought it would be a good idea to get the medium grade Automagic clay as it’s the same owner and reckoned the car would be exposed the same harsh conditions…I was completely wrong and informed that the ML only gets used for towing and driving to work and back. So the paint was smooth to start with but thought I’ll give the medium a try anyways. It's stickier than the fine grade, too be honest, to the touch it didn’t really feel any different to the fine.
The car seemed clean after the clay session…this is the after pic
So I stated earlier I didn’t really expect anything more from the ML but after the clay the car gained gloss from somewhere and I immediately knew this car has got potential, the results after the glaze and wax proved my theory right. Reflection shots after clay.
Yes that is the white Corsa just glazed and waxed standing in the rain…I was a tad negative at that point.
After this I called it a day.
Day 2
I knew what I was up against and thought it would be wise to call in some support aka Willem and David (Thanks guys)
While Willem and David was busy taping up the car I quickly applied the Adams product to the arches and for the first time I used the Smartwax Blue-b-Gone metal polish and it shined up the exhaust like mad. The pic I took is a bit blurry but the clarity gained was impressive.
Bringing out the big guns!!! Rotary and Meguiars wool pad used together with Menz Intensive Polish.
With the car buffed I soon followed with Menz FF and pink Flexi pad. Nice combo!
The shine after this was already to a high standard.
Great gloss on the front fender
Smartwax wheelwax was added and buffed along with the tyres treated with turtle wax tyre dressing.
This pic is after the Poorboys White diamond glaze was added, I like the deep gloss this product creates.
I gave the engine bay a quick clean, basically just a wipe, cleaning the tight angles with the kitchen brush and added AG VRC.
I then retired for the day.
Day 3
The last day and I had a go at the interior, Used the meguiars brush to get rid of all the dust and then took a new approach to cleaning the leather. I dampened the meguiars brush, Locked it down so that the bristles were at their shortest, sprayed AG leather cleaner on the seats and started agitating. The soft bristles really make it user friendly to all services. Using a dry MF cloth I wiped off the seats and they looked brand new.
50/50 shot of the centre armrest and door handle.
David applied AG HD WAX on the car, quite a thick coat I might add, almost quarter of my tub disappeared, yikes! But it was well worth it in the end. Well ladies and gents that was it for the Merc ML and the battle were won. Im positive to say this was one of my best details to date, also thanks to the guys that helped me, it's much appreciated. Enjoy the pics…
This is one of my favourite pics, I focussed on the gloss area on the fender only to realise later the insane wet look on the bonnet! Now I don’t wanna brag but that’s pretty impressive stuff.
Mirror like finish.
As always, thanks for reading!
Products used:
- Sonax Gloss Shampoo
- Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner
- Shield Blade APC
- Automagic Clay Medium (purple)
- Adams Detailing Spray
- Menz Intensive Polish
- Menz FF
- Poorboys White Diamond Glaze
- CG M-Seal
- AG HD Wax
- Adams Undercarriage Spray
- Turtle Wax Tyre Dressing
- Smartwax Rimwax
- AG VRC
- Smart Dressing
- Smartwax Blue-b-Gone Metal Shine
Brushes used:
- Daytona Wheel Brush
- AG High Tech Wheel Brush
- Meguiars Slide Lock Brush
- Mom’s Kitchen Brush
- Tyre Brush
- Long Handle Fender Brush
Cloths used:
- Variety of Shield and CD MF Cloths
- CD Applicator Pads.
- MF Sponge
Day 1
I immediately made haste with the nitty gritty stuff as I knew I needed as much time on the paintwork as possible, this thing is huge! The wheels were covered with brake dust and grime. Once again I turned to the Sonax brand and to be honest the grime didn’t stood a chance. The wheels were cleaned with help of the Daytona brush as well as my new AG high tech brush (I’m getting the hang of this thing now) Have a look…
And wait for it…
The tyres were sprayed with APC and tackled with the tyre brush. The same method was followed when it came to the arches. They cleaned up nicely. Unfortunately I failed to take pics but I managed to clean most of the undercarriage (skid plate, front shocks, drive shafts and steering arms as well as the exhaust boxes)
The wheels after pics will follow soon.
So next was the wash session. I don’t really like washing in direct sunlight so I got the heads up on washing the vehicle inside the garage. Wish my garage was suited for this.
Whoever designed this grill at Mercedes-Benz did not have us detailers in mind. Lots of detailing here and very time consuming when washed.
I recently started using the MF sponge as it seems to created more foam than cloths, the only negative about it is that it’s difficult to get off the tougher spots and grime. Every panel got washed twice to insure that no dirt got left behind on the paint.
After the wash the car got rinsed (using the water dry method) and pulled into the garage. It was quite hot on the day so most of the droplets dried away, so there was very little drying to do, such a shame as I love using the CD drying towel.
Next up, the clay
From my experience with the C Class I thought it would be a good idea to get the medium grade Automagic clay as it’s the same owner and reckoned the car would be exposed the same harsh conditions…I was completely wrong and informed that the ML only gets used for towing and driving to work and back. So the paint was smooth to start with but thought I’ll give the medium a try anyways. It's stickier than the fine grade, too be honest, to the touch it didn’t really feel any different to the fine.
The car seemed clean after the clay session…this is the after pic
So I stated earlier I didn’t really expect anything more from the ML but after the clay the car gained gloss from somewhere and I immediately knew this car has got potential, the results after the glaze and wax proved my theory right. Reflection shots after clay.
Yes that is the white Corsa just glazed and waxed standing in the rain…I was a tad negative at that point.
After this I called it a day.
Day 2
I knew what I was up against and thought it would be wise to call in some support aka Willem and David (Thanks guys)
While Willem and David was busy taping up the car I quickly applied the Adams product to the arches and for the first time I used the Smartwax Blue-b-Gone metal polish and it shined up the exhaust like mad. The pic I took is a bit blurry but the clarity gained was impressive.
Bringing out the big guns!!! Rotary and Meguiars wool pad used together with Menz Intensive Polish.
With the car buffed I soon followed with Menz FF and pink Flexi pad. Nice combo!
The shine after this was already to a high standard.
Great gloss on the front fender
Smartwax wheelwax was added and buffed along with the tyres treated with turtle wax tyre dressing.
This pic is after the Poorboys White diamond glaze was added, I like the deep gloss this product creates.
I gave the engine bay a quick clean, basically just a wipe, cleaning the tight angles with the kitchen brush and added AG VRC.
I then retired for the day.
Day 3
The last day and I had a go at the interior, Used the meguiars brush to get rid of all the dust and then took a new approach to cleaning the leather. I dampened the meguiars brush, Locked it down so that the bristles were at their shortest, sprayed AG leather cleaner on the seats and started agitating. The soft bristles really make it user friendly to all services. Using a dry MF cloth I wiped off the seats and they looked brand new.
50/50 shot of the centre armrest and door handle.
David applied AG HD WAX on the car, quite a thick coat I might add, almost quarter of my tub disappeared, yikes! But it was well worth it in the end. Well ladies and gents that was it for the Merc ML and the battle were won. Im positive to say this was one of my best details to date, also thanks to the guys that helped me, it's much appreciated. Enjoy the pics…
This is one of my favourite pics, I focussed on the gloss area on the fender only to realise later the insane wet look on the bonnet! Now I don’t wanna brag but that’s pretty impressive stuff.
Mirror like finish.
As always, thanks for reading!
