'08 C350 Detail (Lots of pics)

**milani** · 10-21-2008, 06:53 PM

This is my first post here at AG, and my first S&S... So here it goes... Tell me what you think...

Well, I finally had time to get a full exterior detail on the new C350 this weekend. The paint was in really good shape. However, I got hit by a flying rock Friday night, so now I have a rock chip in the hood. Sounds like a trip to the dealer for some paint, and a Langka kit! Well, on with the show...
The Products
Cleaning
Meg's GC Wash
Meg's All Wheel Cleaner
Oil Eater Degreaser
Plexus
Griot's Window Cleaner
Griot's Undercarriage Spray
Griot's Rubber Cleaner
Vinylex
Zaino Z-18 Clay Bar

Polishing
Griot's Chrome Polish
Eagle One Nevr-Dull Wadding Polish
P21S Multi-Surface Finish Restorer
P21S Gloss-Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser
Zaino AIO
Zaino Z-2
Zaino ZFX
Zaino Z-6
Zaino Z-8

Equipment
Griot's Bucket
Microfiber Mitt
Griot's Long Brush
Autozone MF Wheel Brush
Autozone Single-spoke brush
Cotton Chenille Mitt
Bonaire Spray and Wash Gun
PC 7424
Sonus SFX White Pad
Cotton Applicator
Griot's Wheel Dressing Applicator

The Process
First, some before pics:

On to the wheels. MBZ brake pads, nothing but dust, but they work! Before Shot:

Presoaked with Oil Eater/Water solution.

Scrubbed them lightly with the new MF brush and spoke brush.

Shot them with All Wheel Cleaner, agitated again, and rinsed. Then used GG Rubber cleaner on the tires, scrubbed and rinsed.

Dry Shot:

Now, onto the rest of the car. Pre-soaked car with the Spray and Wash gun filled with Meg's GC wash.

Washed with microfiber mitt and GC wash.

Then a 2nd wash. During the 2nd wash, used the Z18 clay on paint and windows. Picked up gunk right away.

Some clean (not dry) shots:

After looking over the paint, I found some defects that needed attention, including the nasty paint chip...

**milani** · 10-21-2008, 06:54 PM

SO I pulled the car into the garage, and dried her off...

Next, on to the engine. It was in pretty good shape since I dressed it when I brought the car home.
Before:

After (Dressed with vinylex):

AFter the engine, I went after the scratches that I found with p21s Multi-surface finish restorer by hand, then followed them up with P21s GEPC, then wiped with IPA to remove oils.
Then I applied ZAIO with the PC and a white Sonus SFX Pad. Let it haze.

Then removed residue with Sonus Microfiber Bonnet.
After ZAIO:

I then wiped the car down with Z-6 to prepare for the first coat of Z-2 with ZFX. I did 2 coats of Z2 with a Z-6 Wipedown between coats.
After Z2:

**milani** · 10-21-2008, 06:55 PM

After the Z2, I did a wipedown with Z-6, then applied 1 coat of Z-8, and I was out of light for the night.
The next morning, I applied a 2nd wipedown of Z-8, cleaned the windows, dressed the seals, trim, and wheels, and used Plexus on any plastic I could find. I also polished the chrome exhaust with wadding and the GG chrome polish.

Some afters in the garage:

And full-sun shots:

**milani** · 10-21-2008, 06:55 PM

The interior did not need much lovin', since I also did the interior when I brought her home from the dealer. Vacuumed out the interior and the mats. I wiped down the interior with Megs' Interior Detailer. I polished any plastic with Plexus, and I did the windows with GG Window Cleaner...

Well, there she is. Hope you enjoy!

**killrflake** · 10-21-2008, 08:53 PM

Nice work and great pics. I see your a big Zaino fan, so am I, but since finding this forum and store I've expanded my view point on other products. You may want to give the Menzerna line along with Wolfgang and Pinnacle products a try. I love the Wolfgang Sealent 3.0, it's great product. Try to keep an open mind and you'll be pleasently surprised. Welcome to best forum of it's type.

**milani** · 10-22-2008, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by killrflake

Nice work and great pics. I see your a big Zaino fan, so am I, but since finding this forum and store I've expanded my view point on other products. You may want to give the Menzerna line along with Wolfgang and Pinnacle products a try. I love the Wolfgang Sealent 3.0, it's great product. Try to keep an open mind and you'll be pleasently surprised. Welcome to best forum of it's type.

Thanks! I wouldn't call me a "big Zaino fan"... I like zaino, but I use other products. I'm a bigger fan of the KAIO/SG/S100 combo, and I've used Meguiar's products as well. I have also recently started using Griot's Garage products. I had the Z, and it's a new car, so I figured it needed some winter protection, and not a lot of heavy polishing. I have been looking into Menzerna, and will probably pick some up in the spring, because winter in the Chicago area does not lead to much outside detailing.

I've been over at Autopia for about 5 years now, so I figured it was time I branch out a bit..

Thanks again!

Mike

**Emile** · 10-22-2008, 08:25 AM

Nice job. Why didn't you enable the Z-AIO with ZFX? I found that it actually makes a noticeable difference in gloss and curing time.

**milani** · 10-22-2008, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Emile

Nice job. Why didn't you enable the Z-AIO with ZFX? I found that it actually makes a noticeable difference in gloss and curing time.

Actually, I've never heard of anyone that's used ZFX with Z-AIO, since it acts as a base for the Z-2. However, I did use ZFX with the Z-2. I may not have mentioned it though (oops!!!)