Presidential Detailed: 2004 Mercedes E55 AMG

[Presidential_Detail]

You may remember the detail article on this Benz that I recently completed.
Presidential Detailed: 2006 Mercedes SL65 AMG - Tampa Racing (http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/presidential-automotive-detailing/580840-presidential-detailed-2006-mercedes-sl65-amg.html)
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee218/jonsamge55/AfteraWashMay20016.jpg

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.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0490.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0491.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0498.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0502.jpg

I turned my attention to the wheels first, as they were pretty dirty.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0504.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0499.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0505.jpg

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!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0507.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0509.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0508.jpg

I then pulled it into the garage out of the sun to be dried and began taping the car off.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0510.jpg

[Presidential_Detail]

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.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0492.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0493.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0494.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0495.jpg

I began by taping off half of the trunk for my test panel.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0513.jpg

After SIP/PFW via rotary followed by M205/Orange via DA.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0517.jpg

Before.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0523.jpg

After.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0524.jpg

The true results now present themselves. :)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0527.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0528.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0529.jpg

[Presidential_Detail]

The entire front hood/fenders had been clear bra'd so I turned my attention to the passeneger side doors.
After SIP/PFW..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0532.jpg

Followed by M205/Orange via DA.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0533.jpg

I then moved onto the rear door..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0535.jpg

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.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0536.jpg

After SIP/PFW..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0542.jpg

Followed by M205/Orange via DA..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0543.jpg

I then moved onto the rear 1/4 panel..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0546.jpg

After, with a glimpse of the sun..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0544.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0545.jpg

[Presidential_Detail]

I was running out of time, so I forgot to get the before/during pictures of the driver side, but here are some afters..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0550.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0549.jpg

With Flash..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0557.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0558.jpg

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

Before.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0551.jpg

I stepped up to a Megs Yellow Wool with M105 for these sections.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0551.jpg

After M205/Orange..
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0554.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0555.jpg

[Presidential_Detail]

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. ;)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0563.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0564.jpg

I taped off each section to ensure no edges were burnt(I was lucky, this car has the full glass roof feature! ;) )
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0707.jpg

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.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0708.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0706.jpg

I used the full size pad for the larger areas, then bumped down to a spot buff 3" PFW for the smaller areas.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0709.jpg

All of the CF trim was then polished by hand with Zaino AIO.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0578.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0577.jpg

As well as the wheels, since they were also painted.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0584.jpg

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.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0712.jpg

After.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0711.jpg

ALL of the glass was polished, as well as the B-pillars.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0713.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0715.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0720.jpg

[Presidential_Detail]

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!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0576.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0572.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0588.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0571.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0592.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/TheTwanksta94/2004%20Mercedes%20E55%20AMG/IMG_0717.jpg

[SRHTX]

Very VERY Nice job!! I now love detailing black vehicles with my Flex.

How long does it take you to detail your vehicles? Are you only person doing the job?

Stephen

[01MUSSL]

Wow! Not only do you do awesome work, you do awesome cars! Great Job.

One newbie question though, what is the purpose of taping?

[unclestu]

What a beautiful job. I love it when a black car becomes a black mirrors. How long have you been detailing?
I couldn't help noticing your rolling work stool. What a great piece of equipment. Were did you get it? I would love to get one for myself.

[nitro78]

great stuff as usual. i always enjoy your write ups so keep em coming.

[Presidential_Detail]

What a beautiful job. I love it when a black car becomes a black mirrors. How long have you been detailing?
I couldn't help noticing your rolling work stool. What a great piece of equipment. Were did you get it? I would love to get one for myself.

Thanks, I have been detailing professionally for about a year now. Just doing the best quality work I can and taking my time with each vehicle. I am not the rush the car out for the next one kind of guy. I wont let a vehicle loose until it meets MY standards. The rolling stool is made by Craftsman, any SEARS should carry it.

[Presidential_Detail]

Wow! Not only do you do awesome work, you do awesome cars! Great Job.

One newbie question though, what is the purpose of taping?

To prevent burning an edge that you will have to pay out of your pocket to fix, usually costing more than you charged for the whole car..haha. I use it on edges and rubber trim/moldings.

[unclestu]

The rolling stool is made by Craftsman, any SEARS should carry it.
__________________
Thanks for the info. My ag order is due on Monday. I will go to Sears for the rolling stool over the weekend. I want to have it when I do the 911 turb.

[ryandamartini]

nice job man.

[Presidential_Detail]

Thanks!