2001 Mercedes clk

[7O7SRT10]

Hey Mike I have a black Mercedes scheduled for paint correction this weekend and I know that there clear coat is extremely hard, what abrasive polishes will I be able to get the best results with? I will be using the flex 3401 and lc orange hybrid pads. I also already have some m101 and some menzerna power gloss, should I be ok using either one?

Thanks in advance :-)

[zmcgovern45]

Both products cut well... Seems like many people give Menzerna products the edge with ceramic clear coats, however this does not excuse the fact that you need to do adequate test spots starting with a lesser aggressive method first so you can learn exactly how aggressive you need to be.

[Mike Phillips]

Hey Mike I have a black Mercedes scheduled for paint correction this weekend and I know that there clear coat is extremely hard,



I've never found this to be the case in my own experience. I read others saying/typing this a lot on forums but that don't make it so.

I also don't find Ceramiclear paints systems to be any harder than others. To date, the hardest clears I can remember working on would be Audi clears followed by probably Corvettes.

Keep in mind, in order for someone to distinguish between hard and soft paints they first must have worked on a LOT of cars to have worked on a lot of paint systems and thus a wide spectrum of hard and soft paints.

I actually cover this in my how-to book in the chapter on doing a test spot.





what abrasive polishes will I be able to get the best results with?



I've had great luck keeping it real simple and safe and that's using the Wolfgang Twins or any of the Medium Cut polishes by Menzerna like the SI 1500.

In the pictures below and for the DVD we made on how to use the Flex 3401, both the Mercedes-Benz cars in the DVD have the Ceramiclear paint system on them and I corrected both cars using only Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover. I used the Flex 3401 and the Flex PE14 for the work.

How To Properly Use Flex Polishers DVD (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-instructional-dvd.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/FlexDVDwithMikePhillips.jpg



Ceramiclear black paint filled with swirls...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1422/FlexVideo007.jpg



Half and half showing the before and after difference...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1422/FlexVideo005.jpg



Now the metallic flake *pops*

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1422/FlexVideo006.jpg




http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1422/FlexVideo008.jpg




And everything is shot in High Definition!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1422/FlexVideo001.jpg



New to machine polishing?
If you're wondering which type of tool is best for you this video will help you to both make and solidify your decision.


New to Rotary Buffers
If you're new to rotary buffers there's a lot of tips and techniques for how to use a rotary buffer in this video.


New to the Flex 3401
If you're new to the Flex 3401 there are a lot of tips and techniques for how to use a Flex 3401

Plus it's a fun and thanks to Yancy, professional quality DVD that the Flex Tool Company uses for trade shows and played continuously in there booth at SEMA this years.


It's a very thorough and well made DVD for anyone that owns a Flex 3401 or a Flex PE14

Next time you place an order, add one to your list, heck it's only $13.00 and covers tons of tips and techniques that I teach in my detailing boot camp classes (http://www.autogeek.net/detailing-boot-camp.html).






I will be using the flex 3401 and LC orange hybrid pads. I also already have some M101 and some Menzerna power gloss, should I be ok using either one?

Thanks in advance :-)


Sure you'll be okay using either one but if it were me standing in front of the car I'd try something less aggressive to start with.

Is this multiple-step, show car style detailing or production detailing?

Is the owner going to take care of it after you release the car back to them? If you're doing a multiple-step approach, did you sign him up for a maintenance program so you can take care of the car for him after you've done all this hard work?

Just curious...


:xyxthumbs: