New car prep question - 2016 Mercedes GLE Polar White

[fotomatt1]

My wife picked up her brand new Mercedes GLE 300d on Monday. The dealer refused to comply with my request to leave the plastic on and not detail it, and my wife didn't want me to fight with them about it. After having my local MINI dealership give me free extra swirls at no charge, I was cringing when I walked to the service area to see the car. Surprisingly, they did a very good job and I only found one very light defect in a C-pillar. My question is about what I should do when I give it it's first detail this weekend. I was planning on a once over with Menz FG400 and then PF2500, but now I'm thinking just PF2500 with a finishing pad on my Rupes 21. Or should I go even lighter...perhaps SF4000? For LSP I'm going back and forth between Sonax PNS or CQUK. Obviously PNS is easier. Suggestions?

[CC268]

Interesting how this seems to be a common occurrence that a dealer won't release a vehicle without "detailing" it...why is it such a big deal?

[fotomatt1]

Interesting how this seems to be a common occurrence that a dealer won't release a vehicle without "detailing" it...why is it such a big deal?

Because "the delivery wouldn't be complete if the car wasn't detailed" according to the salesman and sales manager. They look at you like you're crazy when you say you want it with the plastic still on. In their defense, it was one of the few dealers I've been to where they knew what they were doing. They had two experienced detailers on staff that had proper equipment, and even a good stock of high quality microfiber, and Rupes and Flex polishers. This M-B dealer is also a classic car dealer, so I suppose they need to have someone good in-house.

[Mike Phillips]

Before you start abrading it with anything... does it have the very cool Ceramiclear finish?


Look at this article,

Ceramiclear Paint Code Location on Mercedes-Benz



And if you find the letter C in the paint code then read this,


Ceramiclear Paints - Be Careful





Congrats on the new MG

[fotomatt1]

Mike,

Thanks for the warning! Already checked (having read your M-B posts before) and it doesn't. Have you ever seen Ceramiclear on a non-metallic white M-B paint before? Just curious.

[medicscott]

They clean up nice

[fotomatt1]

They clean up nice

What products did you use? I assume this one doesn't have ceramiclear either?

[medicscott]

2017 Mercedes GLC300

[Mike Phillips]

Mike,

Thanks for the warning! Already checked (having read your M-B posts before) and it doesn't.

Good man....

Have you ever seen Ceramiclear on a non-metallic white M-B paint before? Just curious.

Yes. Our SL 500 has the Ceramiclear finish.

[fotomatt1]

Good man....





Yes. Our SL 500 has the Ceramiclear finish.

Mike,

So when I got home tonight I fully ascertained that the Mercedes doesn't have ceramiclear paint. Paint code is 149...no C. What would you suggest? I have a ton of Hybrid pads for my Flex 3401, all Lake Country HD pads for my Rupes 21, and Megs MF finishing pads for both. For abrasives I have Menzerna FG400, PF2500 and SF4500, and Sonax Perfect Finish. Again, this paint has a very minimal amount of defects. I'm leaning towards PNS as my LSP and I'll probably coat it in the Spring, unless you think I'm better off to just do it now.