Polishing, Claying, Waxing a New Mercedes Possible by 18 year old?

[jojellybean]

Hello everyone! I got a new 2016 Mercedes Benz GLA250 in Black. It's amazing. I have swirled my 2015 Toyota Camry a lot because back then I did not know about the 2 bucket method, grit guards, etc. and want to prevent it on our Mercedes as much as possible.


I have very light swirl marks that are not really noticeable unless I have my phone flashlight on or look at it very thoroughly outside. I want to wax it and bought Collinite 845 but figured why not just clay, polish, and wax while I'm at it? My friend has a polisher he is willing to let me borrow for as long as I want. I just have a few questions!

1) I hear Mercedes paint is ceramiclear or hard paint so polish and other things will not remove scratches as a professional is required to do it or you need something like Menzerna polish?

2) I don't know any of the differences between compound and polish. I just have some light swirls and scratches. They're not deep or as bad as my Toyota Camry.

3) Is there any risk I can do to my paint or harming my finish with the polisher? I've never polished in my life so I'm worrying I burn the paint.

4) What is clear coat? Everyone is talking about it! Lol

[The Guz]

Re: Polishing, Claying, Waxing a New Mercedes Possible by 18 year old?

First off, are you planning to this by hand or by dual action polisher?

[mnitetrain]

Re: Polishing, Claying, Waxing a New Mercedes Possible by 18 year old?

You should not have any problems, start least agressive as possible. Watch plenty of videos for clay use/lubricant and the DA techniques. SMALL sections until you get a good feel/results you are looking for. When you get to the Collinite warm it up and apply sparingly (thin) and don't leave it set up very long.

Get some good microfiber towels!

[jojellybean]

Re: Polishing, Claying, Waxing a New Mercedes Possible by 18 year old?

I will be picking up a polisher from my friend this week. I am pretty sure it is a dual action polisher and not a rotary one. That's why I am not buying any further products until I see what kind of polisher it is.

Claying will be done by hand and I don't know if waxing will be done by hand or the polisher.

[jojellybean]

Re: Polishing, Claying, Waxing a New Mercedes Possible by 18 year old?

@mnitetrain

Do you know of any good clays? And the best and least aggressive polish? I have Meguiar's Last Touch Spray Detail which is good for a clay lubricant so I don't think I will need the entire clay kit by Meguiar.

[exploreco]

Re: Polishing, Claying, Waxing a New Mercedes Possible by 18 year old?

Hello everyone! I got a new 2016 Mercedes Benz GLA250 in Black. It's amazing. I have swirled my 2015 Toyota Camry a lot because back then I did not know about the 2 bucket method, grit guards, etc. and want to prevent it on our Mercedes as much as possible.


I have very light swirl marks that are not really noticeable unless I have my phone flashlight on or look at it very thoroughly outside. I want to wax it and bought Collinite 845 but figured why not just clay, polish, and wax while I'm at it? My friend has a polisher he is willing to let me borrow for as long as I want. I just have a few questions!

1) I hear Mercedes paint is ceramiclear or hard paint so polish and other things will not remove scratches as a professional is required to do it or you need something like Menzerna polish? Not sure if Mercedes paint is hard or not, but I would start with the least aggressive and go from there. Something like Megs Ultimate Polish with a DA (assuming that is what your friend has) If it isn't a DA, I probably wouldn't use it. I think you will find that your new car isn't in that bad of shape to require compounding. Your other car, honestly may not even need compounding. When you get the DA, that would be a good practice car. Watch some videos on here and on Autogeek, and on youtube, the practice some sections on your Camry first.

2) I don't know any of the differences between compound and polish. I just have some light swirls and scratches. They're not deep or as bad as my Toyota Camry. Compound would be for more serious defects which I doubt you will have on this car. Always start with the least aggressive approach and see how that is working out for you.

3) Is there any risk I can do to my paint or harming my finish with the polisher? I've never polished in my life so I'm worrying I burn the paint. Probably not if it is with a DA. Anything can happen, but the DA is pretty safe. Just educate yourself and ask questions before you start and you should be ok with a DA.

4) What is clear coat? Everyone is talking about it! Lol

Good luck.