Best Approach to 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350

[ChrisMessier]

Good morning AG! It's been a while.. A friend of mine bought himself a 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 in Obsidian Black. It is a gorgeous car, with the AMG-Style Wheels, Tan Leather, Etc... He asked me what the best way to avoid surface marring is.

He will be having me do a treatment to the car, and this is what I plan to do..
1) Engine/Wheels/Tires Degreased
2) Wash Paint
3) Clay
4) Meguiar's Fine Cut Cleaner #2
5) Liquid Glass Sealant (possibly layer up)
6) Collinite 845 (also possibly layering up)

Anyone have something they'd do differently? Specifically, a more flattering sealant to the dark MB paint? Please let me know!

Thanks in advance!
Chris

[jmfp]

What's the paint condition? What's the desired final finish? If you are claying the paint there is always the possibility of marring. Working clean is the best bet. Sounds like you've got a good plan. It may not be a show car finish, but it should look pretty damn nice and be well protected.

[mwoolfso]

Odds are good you will have hard paint so marring won't be bad at all. Read up on Ceramiclear paint... this URL will help as well as your standard Googling

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...s-careful.html

As far as polishes go if you are simply looking to clean the paint and not correct swirls then Fine Cut Cleaner #2 will be OK.

Personally, I would go straight to Menzerna products with a 2011. Unless the vehicle was abnormally abused you will probably need a little bit of SF4000/SF2500 on some panels while others will only need SF4500. With that said, in terms of planning I would replace Fine Cut Cleaner #2 with SF4000. It will do what Fine Cut Cleaner #2 does, probably better and faster on Ceramiclear, and is also considered a 1-step (AIO) to boot.

- I would eliminate #5 and move the time savings to the polishing step. You didn't mention if you wanted to clean and/or correct the paint so assuming you want both add some SF1500 or SF2500 to eliminate any areas with heavy swirling (follow up any areas with SF4000 to maintain consistency across the whole vehicle)
- Between #2 and #3 you can add paint decontamination such as IronX
- When you take care of the wheels you can clay them and put a coat or two of 845 as well as decontaminate.
- For #6, do 2 layers of 845. The money saved on liquid glass move to the polish inventory

Best of luck!


1) Engine/Wheels/Tires Degreased
2) Wash Paint
3) Clay
4) Meguiar's Fine Cut Cleaner #2
5) Liquid Glass Sealant (possibly layer up)
6) Collinite 845 (also possibly layering up)