imported_rajs
New member
WARNING: APOLOGIES FOR THE LONG POST AHEAD OF TIME.
Hello -- I have been lurking about for a couple of months and reading quite a few of the posts - current and historical. Have used the search function quite a bit to look up various items that I had questions on and almost always found more then enough information.
Finally decided to post my overall question as to what would the Autopia Community in general recommend for this particular car in regards to products, methods, etc to take care of this particular vehicle.
NOTE: Only thing I won't change in maintaining this vehicle is the miles I intend to put onto it while enjoying the car <grin>.
Some background info on the car and my current steps taken to maintain the car:
Model: MY2003 Mercedes SL500 Roadster with Sport Package and panorama convertible roof.
Age: Car is only ~ 3 months old.
Exterior Color: Pewter (A silverish / grayish / gold'ish combo color -- which looks a little different based on the time of day)
Interior Color: Charcoal with Walnut trim
I treat the car like a daily driver and will put on ~ 25 K miles a year on it at least. When it is not being driven, it is parked in a garage at night. During the daytime when I am at work it is kept out in the parking lot in sun / rain / etc.
So far have been keeping the car clean by doing the following steps at least once a week:
Exterior Care:
1. Park Car in Shade and I make sure car metal and wheels are relatively cool to touch and not hot.
2. Clean wheels and tires via a bottle of Eagle One A-Z diluted with water (50/50 mix) and spray it onto the wheel and tire. Let sit for ~ 30 seconds, and then I agitate it with a soft bristle tire brush. Rinse the wheel and tire throughly with water from a hose.
3. Using hose with a nozzle attachment spray the car down with water (no a hard direct stream but a meduim level stream / spray at 45 degree angle to the car surface being targeted).
4. Remove Nozzle and sheath car from top to bottom with a direct flow of water comming from the hose.
5. Take two buckets and put 4 gallons of water in each. In the first bucket I put 4 oz of Meg Gold Car Wash Solution. I add 2 oz of PoorBoys Spray and Wipe Solution and add 2 oz of Zaino Bros Z6 Quick Detailer solution. I mix up this stuff pretty well with the water. I have the second 4 gallons of water for rinsing my Sheepskin Wash mitts after doing each car panel.
6. I take a clean Sheepskin Wash Mitt and dip it in the soapy bucket and do one panel at a time. For all panels / areas washed I use a light gliding motion to move the soapy sheepskin mitt over that panel in the same direction air would flow over it if I was driving on a highway. After doing this I quickly rinse that panel off with water from the hose.
7. After one panel / area is washed as per step above -- I take the sheepskin mitt and dunk it into the bucket with just water in in and shake it around underneath the water vigorisly by twisting my hand side to side and then using a waving action with my hand. Next I take the mitt out from under the water and hose it down a strong spray of water from the hose. I then dunk the mitt into the soapy water solution and shake it around to gather some soap and water and go onto the next panel and repeat the above steps until all areas have been covered. NOTE: I generally end up dumping my water bucket and refilling it once during this process.
8. I now take the nozzle attachment off the hose and starting at the top of the car I do a final rinse of the car using the Perfect Drying Technique -- water sheeting method. After this I remove any additional water on the vehicle by using Waffleweave towels from PakShak via putting the Waffleweave towel down on the surface carefully and smoothing the towel down so it make complete contact with the surface. I then lift the towel up without dragging it across the surface and repeat this step until the vehicle is dry. I take care of most of the crevices etc but using a different waffleweave towel to draw the water out. BTW -- Thanks to all the people who came up with this Perfect Drying Technique -- works like a charm.
9. Now that the car is nice, dry and clean (I hope) -- I a set of clean microfiber towels from PakShak. A few of David's Autopia Concours Buffing Towel (CBT) and a spray bottle which has a 50 / 50 mixture of Poorboys Spray and Wipe and Meguiars Gold Class Quick Detailer.
10 . I fold a PakShak MF towel and slightly dampen it with the 50/50 mixture -- from the above step -- by spraying it onto the MF towel. I wipe this slightly dampened MF towel over a panel using a light gliding motion to move the damp MF towel over that panel in the same direction air would flow over it if I were driving. I follow up on that panel using the same motion and lightly buff the panel with the Autopia Concours Buffing Towel.
11. I repeat the above step until all areas of the vehicle are covered -- and I do keep on folding the MF Towel over and over again after each panel until all parts of the MF Towel have been used. Once that is done I get another MF Towel.
12. As a final step I take the 50 / 50 mixture of PoorBoys S+W and Megs Gold Class QD and dampen another PakShak MF Towel (only use this one for the wheels) and run it over the wheels only.
13. Take an Eagle One Foam Tire Swipe and load the swipe up with some of the Eagle One Tire Shine stuff (not sure of the name here -- but it is a freebie small bottle that came with the package of two or three foam tire swipes I bought as a sample item). I take the swipe and run it over the tire. Repeat the process until all 4 tires are done -- making sure of course the swipe isn't so loaded up it allow the stuff to drip or run. I get a pretty good wet look from this -- not too glossy / shinny -- which I dislike. NOTE: I haven't tried any other stuff out there but am looking for some suggustions for something that might give me a longer lasting satanish look / finish.
Interior Care:
1. I take out all the carpets and for the time being -- since they are in good shape still -- Just beat on them and get them as free of dust and dirt as I can -- using my hands and a soft bristle brush.
2. I put the carpets back in the car.
3. Using a compressed can of air and a small china bristle paintbrush -- I go ahead and clean all the crevices in the between various areas where stuff can get caught. This include the seats, wood trim, shifter, display and vent areas.
4. I then take a California Car Duster and start at the top of the car [interior]-- including all the glass areas, leather, wood, etc and dust them all. I shake out the duster frequently -- and away from the car.
5. Using a Clean PakShak MF towel I clean all the glass surfaces with Stoners Glass Cleaner. [Wondering if I can just use PoorBoys S+W instead)
6. I use another clean but slightly damp [water] MF Towel and dampen it with Aerospace 303 Protectent [has UV protection in it] and wipe down the dash, console area, armrest, and rear deck lid areas. [Haven't done the perforated / ventilated leather seats yet -- since I wasn't sure about it]. I go over the surfaces with another very lightly water dampened PakShak MF Towel after letting it sit for ~ 1 minute.
7. I take another clean PakShak MF towel load it up with some PoorBoy's S+W and clean the door sills and door jamb areas.
At this point I am basically done or at least I think I am.
If you have gotten down here -- all the way -- thanks ... And I will repeat my original question posed: What would you recommend in regards to taking care of this particular vehicle. Are their parts of the process or products / mixtures being used in the process documented above that you would suggust I either change, substitute or add to.
BTW -- I do have a PC 7424 --- but don't use it on this car -- yet.
Some other products I have but haven't used on this car yet are:
S100 Wax
S100 Shine Enhancing Cleanser
Zaino ZFX
Zaino Z2
Zaino Z6 [NOTE: I have only used this as part of my wash mixture]
Zaino Z7
Clay Magic Clay Kit
Based on my lurking and reading -- I am also curious about the following items but am not sure if I should at somepoint:
Meguiars # 9 Swirl and Scrath Remover Polish
Hi-Temp's Light Cut Polish
Lake Country MFG Pad for the PC
PoorBoy's EX in particular and maybe his other products as well.
Klasse AIO -- No interest based on what I have read about the Klasse HG Sealant.
Platinum's -- Platinum Series Ultimate Paint Pre-Cleaner and their PUPP [UPP] product.
Some good leather maintenance product for the interior leather -- including my seats which are perforated - ventatlited leather seats. I don't know if they are vinyl coated or not though.
Some of the ClearKote products
I know these are quite a few things and am just looking for some recommendations regarding the info above and what you think might produce the best look for this particular car. Also don't hesitate to recommend a process or product or method that I haven't mentioned above.
Thanks for your time and suggustions.
Regards,
- raj
Hello -- I have been lurking about for a couple of months and reading quite a few of the posts - current and historical. Have used the search function quite a bit to look up various items that I had questions on and almost always found more then enough information.
Finally decided to post my overall question as to what would the Autopia Community in general recommend for this particular car in regards to products, methods, etc to take care of this particular vehicle.
NOTE: Only thing I won't change in maintaining this vehicle is the miles I intend to put onto it while enjoying the car <grin>.
Some background info on the car and my current steps taken to maintain the car:
Model: MY2003 Mercedes SL500 Roadster with Sport Package and panorama convertible roof.
Age: Car is only ~ 3 months old.
Exterior Color: Pewter (A silverish / grayish / gold'ish combo color -- which looks a little different based on the time of day)
Interior Color: Charcoal with Walnut trim
I treat the car like a daily driver and will put on ~ 25 K miles a year on it at least. When it is not being driven, it is parked in a garage at night. During the daytime when I am at work it is kept out in the parking lot in sun / rain / etc.
So far have been keeping the car clean by doing the following steps at least once a week:
Exterior Care:
1. Park Car in Shade and I make sure car metal and wheels are relatively cool to touch and not hot.
2. Clean wheels and tires via a bottle of Eagle One A-Z diluted with water (50/50 mix) and spray it onto the wheel and tire. Let sit for ~ 30 seconds, and then I agitate it with a soft bristle tire brush. Rinse the wheel and tire throughly with water from a hose.
3. Using hose with a nozzle attachment spray the car down with water (no a hard direct stream but a meduim level stream / spray at 45 degree angle to the car surface being targeted).
4. Remove Nozzle and sheath car from top to bottom with a direct flow of water comming from the hose.
5. Take two buckets and put 4 gallons of water in each. In the first bucket I put 4 oz of Meg Gold Car Wash Solution. I add 2 oz of PoorBoys Spray and Wipe Solution and add 2 oz of Zaino Bros Z6 Quick Detailer solution. I mix up this stuff pretty well with the water. I have the second 4 gallons of water for rinsing my Sheepskin Wash mitts after doing each car panel.
6. I take a clean Sheepskin Wash Mitt and dip it in the soapy bucket and do one panel at a time. For all panels / areas washed I use a light gliding motion to move the soapy sheepskin mitt over that panel in the same direction air would flow over it if I was driving on a highway. After doing this I quickly rinse that panel off with water from the hose.
7. After one panel / area is washed as per step above -- I take the sheepskin mitt and dunk it into the bucket with just water in in and shake it around underneath the water vigorisly by twisting my hand side to side and then using a waving action with my hand. Next I take the mitt out from under the water and hose it down a strong spray of water from the hose. I then dunk the mitt into the soapy water solution and shake it around to gather some soap and water and go onto the next panel and repeat the above steps until all areas have been covered. NOTE: I generally end up dumping my water bucket and refilling it once during this process.
8. I now take the nozzle attachment off the hose and starting at the top of the car I do a final rinse of the car using the Perfect Drying Technique -- water sheeting method. After this I remove any additional water on the vehicle by using Waffleweave towels from PakShak via putting the Waffleweave towel down on the surface carefully and smoothing the towel down so it make complete contact with the surface. I then lift the towel up without dragging it across the surface and repeat this step until the vehicle is dry. I take care of most of the crevices etc but using a different waffleweave towel to draw the water out. BTW -- Thanks to all the people who came up with this Perfect Drying Technique -- works like a charm.
9. Now that the car is nice, dry and clean (I hope) -- I a set of clean microfiber towels from PakShak. A few of David's Autopia Concours Buffing Towel (CBT) and a spray bottle which has a 50 / 50 mixture of Poorboys Spray and Wipe and Meguiars Gold Class Quick Detailer.
10 . I fold a PakShak MF towel and slightly dampen it with the 50/50 mixture -- from the above step -- by spraying it onto the MF towel. I wipe this slightly dampened MF towel over a panel using a light gliding motion to move the damp MF towel over that panel in the same direction air would flow over it if I were driving. I follow up on that panel using the same motion and lightly buff the panel with the Autopia Concours Buffing Towel.
11. I repeat the above step until all areas of the vehicle are covered -- and I do keep on folding the MF Towel over and over again after each panel until all parts of the MF Towel have been used. Once that is done I get another MF Towel.
12. As a final step I take the 50 / 50 mixture of PoorBoys S+W and Megs Gold Class QD and dampen another PakShak MF Towel (only use this one for the wheels) and run it over the wheels only.
13. Take an Eagle One Foam Tire Swipe and load the swipe up with some of the Eagle One Tire Shine stuff (not sure of the name here -- but it is a freebie small bottle that came with the package of two or three foam tire swipes I bought as a sample item). I take the swipe and run it over the tire. Repeat the process until all 4 tires are done -- making sure of course the swipe isn't so loaded up it allow the stuff to drip or run. I get a pretty good wet look from this -- not too glossy / shinny -- which I dislike. NOTE: I haven't tried any other stuff out there but am looking for some suggustions for something that might give me a longer lasting satanish look / finish.
Interior Care:
1. I take out all the carpets and for the time being -- since they are in good shape still -- Just beat on them and get them as free of dust and dirt as I can -- using my hands and a soft bristle brush.
2. I put the carpets back in the car.
3. Using a compressed can of air and a small china bristle paintbrush -- I go ahead and clean all the crevices in the between various areas where stuff can get caught. This include the seats, wood trim, shifter, display and vent areas.
4. I then take a California Car Duster and start at the top of the car [interior]-- including all the glass areas, leather, wood, etc and dust them all. I shake out the duster frequently -- and away from the car.
5. Using a Clean PakShak MF towel I clean all the glass surfaces with Stoners Glass Cleaner. [Wondering if I can just use PoorBoys S+W instead)
6. I use another clean but slightly damp [water] MF Towel and dampen it with Aerospace 303 Protectent [has UV protection in it] and wipe down the dash, console area, armrest, and rear deck lid areas. [Haven't done the perforated / ventilated leather seats yet -- since I wasn't sure about it]. I go over the surfaces with another very lightly water dampened PakShak MF Towel after letting it sit for ~ 1 minute.
7. I take another clean PakShak MF towel load it up with some PoorBoy's S+W and clean the door sills and door jamb areas.
At this point I am basically done or at least I think I am.
If you have gotten down here -- all the way -- thanks ... And I will repeat my original question posed: What would you recommend in regards to taking care of this particular vehicle. Are their parts of the process or products / mixtures being used in the process documented above that you would suggust I either change, substitute or add to.
BTW -- I do have a PC 7424 --- but don't use it on this car -- yet.
Some other products I have but haven't used on this car yet are:
S100 Wax
S100 Shine Enhancing Cleanser
Zaino ZFX
Zaino Z2
Zaino Z6 [NOTE: I have only used this as part of my wash mixture]
Zaino Z7
Clay Magic Clay Kit
Based on my lurking and reading -- I am also curious about the following items but am not sure if I should at somepoint:
Meguiars # 9 Swirl and Scrath Remover Polish
Hi-Temp's Light Cut Polish
Lake Country MFG Pad for the PC
PoorBoy's EX in particular and maybe his other products as well.
Klasse AIO -- No interest based on what I have read about the Klasse HG Sealant.
Platinum's -- Platinum Series Ultimate Paint Pre-Cleaner and their PUPP [UPP] product.
Some good leather maintenance product for the interior leather -- including my seats which are perforated - ventatlited leather seats. I don't know if they are vinyl coated or not though.
Some of the ClearKote products
I know these are quite a few things and am just looking for some recommendations regarding the info above and what you think might produce the best look for this particular car. Also don't hesitate to recommend a process or product or method that I haven't mentioned above.
Thanks for your time and suggustions.
Regards,
- raj
