Still Searching - But Need Help

[Jefferson_One]

I have a 2003 Black Mercedes-Benz ... the paint looks pretty good, but has some decent bondments and swirls+scratches. From a distance, it looks good - but up close, you know what I mean.

I have looked at Home Depot, Lowes, Auto Zone ... every local store I could find, to get a decent polisher/buffer but I can't find much of anything - just those that are about $30. Are they worth anything? I was recently in a serious car accident and I really don't want to start thing cleaning by hand ... was looking for something like a $130 PC or even something else. But are they all mail-order?

Keeping in mind that my car is black, here's what I have on hand:

* Gold Glass Car Wash
* Smooth Surface Clay Kit
* Ultimate Quick Detailer
* Deep Crystal Polish
* NXT Tech Wax 2.0

* Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner
* Mercedes-Benz Wheel Wax
* Hot Shine Tire Spray

* Quick Interior Detailer
* Gold Glass Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner

* PlasticX Plastic Cleaner/Polish (headlights)

That is about the order of things that I am planning to do ... after wash, starting with clay. I'll be here all night searching, so I thought I might go ahead and post, and get some feedback.

Anyone have any suggestions on the products I have or if I need anything else for the black swirls/scratches? Does the wax and polishing products seem sufficient?

Perhaps most importantly, for an orbital polisher / DA, where can I get one other than online? Sears? Any National stores have anything decent to buy?

Thanks for any help! I'm gonna need it with my neck & wrist strain

[Murr1525]

Re: Still Searching - But Need Help

First things first... autodetailingsolutions.com (ADS) is your friend.... give it a look.


Getting the How-To DVD as well is key. I am sure you have seen the links with the main products and pads... #80, #83, 8006, 9006.

A pure polish and wax will not affect the scratches at all. It will be the #80 and #83 that will do the best possible.

Someone who has worked more on Mercedes will hopefully chime in as well.

[rebelde33]

Re: Still Searching - But Need Help

To remove scratches and swirls, I would recommend using ScratchX before polishing and waxing.

[Jefferson_One]

Re: Still Searching - But Need Help

Thanks for the quick replies ... maybe more people will come in soon.

So, it looks as if the Professional Product Line is mentioned a lot - as for my Consumer line, do you think it is advisable to return the Deep Crystal Polish and get the ScratchX instead? If so, would the steps be:

Wash > Clay > ScratchX > Wax ... or some other order?

I guess I'm going to start by hand, and wait on the G100 to come in - unless someone can tell me where to buy a D/A locally.

Thanks again!

[Nappers]

Re: Still Searching - But Need Help

ADS has an abundance of products as well as Kevin Brown of this forum. I'm sure Kevin can tell you what you need so you don't order something you don't need. The new G110 is out and may want to give that a crack. I read the DVD from ADS is a good tutorial for the PC/G100.

If you just want the machine, the Porter Cable (PC) 7424 can be had for pretty cheap from tool companies online which is essentially a G100 without the lifetime warranty. I've seen them go for 100 bucks plus shipping. ADS has packages available that include products, backing plates and some pads.

The "polishers" at stores are not powerful enough to remove swirls, they are only good to put wax on. I have a cheapie 6" polisher and it stunk.

As far as the Deep Crystal series, nothing wrong with it. I use it before I got my G100 and if your patient enough and do small areas at a time (say 12X12) and use some elbow grease (Passion as what it's called here) you can get a good shine out of your car.

Check out the list of links on the home page on the right side that Ryan aka: lilblkblt04 put together, some good articles on using the DC series as well as ScratchX by hand.

Have fun.

Aaron

[Heatgain]

Re: Still Searching - But Need Help

I have a 2003 Black Mercedes-Benz ... the paint looks pretty good, but has some decent bondments and swirls+scratches. From a distance, it looks good - but up close, you know what I mean.
I have looked at Home Depot, Lowes, Auto Zone ... every local store I could find, to get a decent polisher/buffer but I can't find much of anything - just those that are about $30. Are they worth anything? I was recently in a serious car accident and I really don't want to start thing cleaning by hand ... was looking for something like a $130 PC or even something else. But are they all mail-order?

Jefferson,
Are you near Mobile? I have a G100, A Bosch 1370DEVS, a cheap rotary from Harbor Freight, and Meg's #80 and such. If you're near Mobile, get in touch, we'll play with your car.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Still Searching - But Need Help

I think you best bet would be to follow Murr's sugestions and check out Auto detail solutions. I can speak from experiance that the G100 is just about Bubba proof. Have not worked on Mercedes paint. Can't advise you there. Good luck.

[Jefferson_One]

Re: Still Searching - But Need Help

Jefferson,
Are you near Mobile? I have a G100, A Bosch 1370DEVS, a cheap rotary from Harbor Freight, and Meg's #80 and such. If you're near Mobile, get in touch, we'll play with your car.

Thanks guys ... I'm going to get some ScratchX today from Auto Zone, and then order me a G110. HeatGain - I'm almost as far away from you but still in 'Bama as posssilbe - hahah - I'm near Huntsville, in North Alabama ... but thanks for the offer!! That would have been great!

I'll try to get some pics too ... might do the first touch-ups by hand - the old fashioned way! D'ho!