Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

[Presidential_Detail]

You may remember the detail article on this Benz that I recently completed.

http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/presidential-automotive-detailing/580840-presidential-detailed-2006-mercedes-sl65-amg.html

Well, I was lucky enough to also detail its awesome twin! This car has every modification you can think of while staying tasteful! I was lucky enough to drive this one home from a local car show where I had it on display and all I can say is WOW WHAT A MACHINE! :nerd:

This is how the car looked when I arrived. It was falry dirty due to the non-stop rain we have been getting here in FL lately.








I turned my attention to the wheels first, as they were pretty dirty.






I then turned my attention to prepping the rest of the car for polishing. I used a sample of TropiCare's Citrus Wash to help break down any oils or contaminants that may have been bonded to the surface. I must say, this stuff works quite well!






I then pulled it into the garage out of the sun to be dried and began taping the car off.

[Presidential_Detail]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

Even with my powerful halogens this E55 was showing very little swirls/scratches. Under full sun there was a different story however, I knew then that I would need to pull the car out into the sun to check my work for the most true results.

Some suns shots after being washed.








I began by taping off half of the trunk for my test panel.


After SIP/PFW via rotary followed by M205/Orange via DA.


Before.


After.


The true results now present themselves.

[Presidential_Detail]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

The entire front hood/fenders had been clear bra'd so I turned my attention to the passeneger side doors.
After SIP/PFW..


Followed by M205/Orange via DA.


I then moved onto the rear door..


A closer look to see the deeper swirls in the paint..this was how the entire car was, sometimes being hard to capture on camera.


After SIP/PFW..


Followed by M205/Orange via DA..


I then moved onto the rear 1/4 panel..


After, with a glimpse of the sun..

[Presidential_Detail]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

I was running out of time, so I forgot to get the before/during pictures of the driver side, but here are some afters..




With Flash..




I then turned my attention to the lower half of the doors, which seemed to be worse than the rest of the vehicle..

Before.


I stepped up to a Megs Yellow Wool with M105 for these sections.


After M205/Orange..

[Presidential_Detail]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

The next day, before starting on the rear bumper/lower trunk/roof I decided to check my work in the full sun before it went behind the clouds.

Just how I like em, a mirror.




I taped off each section to ensure no edges were burnt(I was lucky, this car has the full glass roof feature! )


I had to lift open the trunk to properly polish, but there is some serious audio work back there. I decided it was better to tape/cover the entire trunk before creating more work for myself.




I used the full size pad for the larger areas, then bumped down to a spot buff 3" PFW for the smaller areas.


All of the CF trim was then polished by hand with Zaino AIO.




As well as the wheels, since they were also painted.


The glass roof had some hard water spots that were difficult to remove, so I opted to polish all of the glass with 106ff via the DA on a white pad. Worked quite well actually!

Before..hard to tell but it was not something to tackle with simple glass cleaner.


After.


ALL of the glass was polished, as well as the B-pillars.

[Presidential_Detail]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

Some more final pics! Unfortunately I wasnt able to get complete day shots, Ill try to get some soon.

The entire car(even the clearbra) was coated with TWO coats of Blackfire Paint Sealant. This left the car with an incredibly slick surface and water literally will not stick to the car!

[Zuke]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

Billy and Black go together like butter and toast. Great work on yet another amaizng AMG.

[agp423]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

As always - great job!!

[cw981126]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

That car looks amazing! I have always loved the e55's. I just began using the BLackfire paint protectant... the stuff is awesome. It gives a super wet look!

[Andrew C.]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

Wow Great Work as usual! Do you just not touch the clear bra for correction work?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

What a awesome job, as usual. The reflection are fantastic. Great work, once again.

[TimG]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

You did an awesome work. Shine him up real good.

ps: that a killer merc. Black on black.

[Presidential_Detail]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

Billy and Black go together like butter and toast. Great work on yet another amaizng AMG.

haha! I guess so! Thanks!

[Presidential_Detail]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

Wow Great Work as usual! Do you just not touch the clear bra for correction work?

I actually used a VERY light polish on the bra to correct it a tiny bit. The bras are still sort of new technology and I cant wait until they figure out a way for us to fully correct them!

[Eddie6th]

Re: Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

Really cool work.nice machine.