Optimum Opti-Coat on Mercedes Benz AMG E-Class

J

Jademonkey

New member
I want to do a complete Detail(interior, exterior etc) on my e46 BMW but I am not positive on what products to use to do this. I have an idea, but I want to get other peoples opinions as well on the products to use, as well as the order to do them in.





Thanks
 
Well David B's E-book for $19.95 is a very good deal. I am still waiting for it to become a hardcopy so I can purchase it that way.

Very nice M5 :cool:

For the exterior on a fairly new car I,
1. Wash with Meguiars Gold Class shampoo
2. Clay (Mother's/Clay Magic)
3. Polish with a 3M polish (Finesse It II Finishing Material) or one of Automotive International's ( www.autoint.com ) polishes (Clear Coat Compound.) This is done with a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher with the DM-KIT from CMA (www.properautocare.com)
4. After the surface is nice and preped, I use the Klasse sealants ( www.properautocare.com ) Klasse All-In-One (AIO) is a cleaner/polish/sealant in one. I use this as a base layer for multiple coats of Klasse Sealant Glaze (SG.) A very good $40 investment for both of these.
5. I then might choose to put a carnuba wax on top of the Klasse if I am looking for a carnauba shine (wetter, deeper, muted shine.) I prefer either Pinnacle souveran or One Grand Blitz, both are great waxes.
6. For wheels and tires(wheel wells too) I like to clean them with Eimann Fabrik Hi-Intensity cleaner. I put Klasse on the wheels to make them easier to clean and protect them. For the tires it depends on what I am looking for and the car I'm detailing. For a low gloss try 303 protectant or Zaino Z16 ( www.zainobros.com), for a medium gloss Lexol Vinylex works well, for a high gloss Turtle Wax 2001 Tire gel works nicely.
7. For glass I like to use Eimann Fabrik's Clear Vision, polish Zaino's Z12.
8. For hard smooth plastic trim Klasse AIO cleans and shines them nicely.
9. If you have chrome or polishable metal, I like Blue Magic's cream metal polish.

Interior
1. Vacuum (get all places, move the seats to get under them, basically the whole interior with carpetting.)
2. I like to use Automotive International's All Purpose cleaner for the carpets along with a carpet scrub brush, then vacuum with a wet/dry vac.
3. Clean the vinyl with a vinyl cleaner like Meguiars #39.
4. Dress the vinyl/plastic with a quality water bassed dressing, 303 works well.
5. The instrument panel can be polished along with window tint with Plexus (us Microfiber towels to minimize lint and marring.)
6. If you have leather, they are most likely clear coated, to clean Eagle One makes a good leather cleaner, follow up with Eagloe One's conditioner or 303.
7. You may want to protect the carpets with 3M or 303's carpet protecting spray.

Remember quality tools make the job easier. Get 100% cotton towels or go with Microfiber towels, I have both ebcause I like Microfibers for the interior and buffing polishes and sealants. i still love to remove wax with a 100% cotton towel (Charismas) and get the dirty areas with cheaper terry towels (found at local auto part stores.) Get some 100% cotton chenille wash mitts to minimize swirling when you wash.

Also run a search function, read previous posts, and read the Detialing Tips and Tricks by David B/contributers. Details/Details/Details at www.autopia-carport.com

Hope I got everything,
Jason

EDIT: I frogot about the engine. I am still afraid of spraying anything into the engine compartment. So I use an old microfiber towel with some water and wipe down where I can reach and follow up dressing the rubber hoses with Meguiars #40 or vinylex.
 
Wow Jason.. amazing step by step process you listed there.. One of the most comprehensive, and extensive lists i have seen.. Nothing new that ive learned from it though.. Everything you have mentioned i already knew..But, for the newer people, it is a VERY handy guide.. Someone should save that post, and repost it everytime someone is in need of some help.
 
I'm just bored, on my spring break. Basically sleep, Autopia, eat, workout, shower, eat, Autopia everyday for the past....10 days. 3 more days to go until back to the daily grind.



I'll copy and paste that post onto my computer.



Jason
 
Ahh Jason.. i know how you feel.. Been like that around here too.. Have been on spring break since last Wednesday.. and ive been going through the same routine every day.. get up, turn on computer, have breakfast, check new posts, shower, check new posts, lunch, check new posts, watch TV, check new posts, dinner, check new posts and do nothing for another 4 hours.. go to bed around 2 am.. and do the same thing over again..



Damn.. too bad spring break ends sunday.. Monday its back to frickin school..Damn.. i HATE high school..
 
High School is almost over, just a few more months, your a senior right?



Ugggh, after hs graduation it'll be July and it'll be the same thing for a month with more exercise though, I am going to bump it up to 5-6 days a week of lifting weights and 4 days a week running (4-6-6-8 method, 4 mile cross country (up and down hills) (monday), 6 miles on treadmill (tuesday), 6 miles on track (thursday), and then finally 8 mile cross country run (saturdays)



Then in August its off to adventure land, what they call Recruit Training. No Autopia, No TV, No Radio, just me, myself, and my M-16.........



Well sorry for rambling like that, just excited about my future plans.



It feels really good to show a new forum member the light.



High School is not so bad, well for me anyway, only have 4 hours of class (8:10-12:09) could of been 9:00-11:22 but that darn school chancellor Howard Levy!!!!!!!!!! making those darn minimum class requirements, making me take 2 classes I don't even need to graduate! (need 40 to graduate, got 53 already, will have 4 more by June) /end second rant.

Jason
 
Actually, the M5 leather IS NOT, I repeat IS NOT clear coated :cool: . It has a very expensive grade of nappa leather that feels awesome :up . I would recommend leatherique for unclearcoated leather because it makes it feel new or better than new with ease! check out www.leatherique.com and get both the rejuvinator oil and pristine clean. Mention u own a BMW to save even more. That is the best product for that leather, will lessen the lines of wrinkles and make it very very soft. I love leatherique so much! Best product i have found. I don't feel right using a product for vinyl and rubber on leather...Just doesn't sit right to me. BTW Jason u made a great rundown on the products and what to do!
 
Yup Jason.. i am a senior.. Cant wait for May 31st.. my graduation.. ahh.. then i'll have nothing but 4 months of checking in on autopia, and detailing my pathy.. then i get shipped off to college.. which will be god-knows-where..



That reminds me.. i gotta raise funds for my high school graduation.. crap.. why did i want to become vice-president of the senior class? stupid! stupid!!
 
Confused...



E46 = 3series (M3)



E39 = 5series (M5)





Signature says M5, description says E46...I believe the M3 also has napa leather, but I can't verify. Ali is corect in that the M5 has napa for sure. I still like EO leather cleaner/care for untreated leather, it works well, but will darken it slightly.



I also love the Griot's leather care products, and Z10 is a good one as well...
 
Thank AlBoston for correcting me. From everything I heard about leatherique, it should be a very good solid product.

Raise funds for graduation? I had to pay $150 for my senior dues, covers everything, no need for fund raising (then again its a 641 student sized senior class with 4800 population in the high school.) Well most of the school dislikes leadership group (which is the president, vice president, secretary (who is also in rotc), treasurer, a senior council (senior president, senior vice-president, senior treasurer and secretary) , 4 class representative (fresh, soph, senior) and their helpers.) We (rotc cadets) are the most public group displaying our dislike for them. Them leadership with their fancy air hocky table, air conditioned room, and clean environment. We cadets get put right next to the cafeteria (imagine the mess 4800 people make), and having micky mouse run a muck! Well, we are proud and take everything in pride.

Well I am not going to take up forum bandwidth, so my e-mail is JasonC8301@aol.com

Jason (by the way my graduation is June 24th, picture of that to come.)
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by JasonC8301 [/i]
<strong class='bbc'> Them leadership with their fancy air hocky table, air conditioned room, and clean environment. We cadets get put right next to the cafeteria (imagine the mess 4800 people make), and having micky mouse run a muck! Well, we are proud and take everything in pride.
[/b]</blockquote>

Not that lucky Jason to have air conditioned room, air hockey and the works.. only 46 people in my senior class.. And we (the board) get all the heat.. Parents arent suppose to pay for our graduation.. we are soon going to be in the so-called "real world" where we need to make our own money, by having fund raisers. ie dances, and the sort.. looks good on transcript when applying to college.. but the work and hassle is DEFINETLY not worth it! too much stress!
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by geekysteve [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Confused...

E46 = 3series (M3)

E39 = 5series (M5)


Signature says M5, description says E46...I believe the M3 also has napa leather, but I can't verify. Ali is corect in that the M5 has napa for sure. I still like EO leather cleaner/care for untreated leather, it works well, but will darken it slightly.

I also love the Griot's leather care products, and Z10 is a good one as well... [/b]</blockquote>
Yep the E46 M3 and only the M3 has nappa leather which i absolutely love! mmmmmm, that smell. but for untreated leather, I have seen leatherique work miracles!
 
I have both an e46 328i and an e39 M5

I will be doing the e46 right now, and then the M5 a little later.



Thanks for all the replies, they have been very helpful.
 
What should I use to clean the leather on the e46?

It is not true leather like the M5 is, i think BMW calls it leatherette.

should I just use a normal leather cleaner, or would leatherique work for that too?
 
If it is leatherette (vinyl) then use a water based dressing such as Lexol Vinylex (deep dark medium sheen), or 303 (dark healthy look with minimum sheen.)



Jason
 
I doubt the car has leatherette, most 328is I see have real leather. You can use leatherique on it with excellent results, but I really feel it is better on unclearcoated leather. I still use it on clear coated leather but many people here use normal dressings for clear coated leather.
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Intermezzo [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>AlBoson, considering how much you love Leatherique, ain't it a shame you've got escaine leather? BTW, what do you use to clean your escaine? [/b]</blockquote>
My car has cloth seating tony :p .
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by AlBoston [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>

My car has cloth seating tony :p . [/b]</blockquote>

:eek: WHAT? all the money for a brand NEW 2002 IS 300, and you got cloth seats? what a rip off!!!
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by PathfinderGuy [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>


WHAT? all the money for a brand NEW 2002 IS 300, and you got cloth seats? what a rip off!!! [/b]</blockquote>
I don't know about a rip off, but yeah thats what it has. Would you rather have leatherette (vinyl)? I tried it and didn't like it. I actually like the seats on the IS300, I like the feel of the cloth. I don't really think i got ripped off considering i got the car out the door for $25,500. Try and find a car with xenons, cd changer, all auto-dimming mirrors, auto temp control, 3.0 Inline 6 with 218 hp, traction control, ABS with EBD, and Lexus Build quality :D for that price. I don't think you will find it pathfinder man. When you find a car that comes with more stuff for the same price gimme a PM, until then do some research before you start babbling. I happen to love my rip off. Speaking of rip offs, gotta love the wimpy 3.3 litre V6 engine that comes in that heavy pathfinder u have :xyxthumbs .
 
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