2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 Show Car Makeover

[Mike Phillips]

2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 Show Car Makeover


Starting at 5:00pm this Thursday we will be doing a show car makeover to Stacy's 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350.

Here's a few pictures of the car...










If you want to be a part of the team then reply to this thread or give me a call at,

1-800-869-3011 x206


Date: Thursday, October 24th, 2013
Time: 5:00pm to 9:00pm



Sign-up List

1. Stacy
2. Ginger
3. Frank aka FrankS
4. Matt aka geekdout
5. Robert aka Impressions
6.
7.
8.
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11.



Autogeek's Garage
7744 SW Jack James Drive
Stuart, FL 34997
Mapquest Driving Directions


The door to the right of the garage door is the entrance to our TV Studio, my
red Chevy Silverado is usually parked right in front of the entrance door.

[Mike Phillips]

Show Car Makeovers vs Extreme Makeovers at Autogeek


I'm calling this project a show car makeover instead of an extreme makeover because I can't find any swirls or scratches in the paint. This car does appear to have the Ceramiclear paint code.


While the paint looks defect free for the most part, it didn't pass the baggie test. So we're going to decontaminate it and then machine polish it and the apply a coating to the paint.

The tires have some sort of tire dressing on them so that's coming off and we're going to apply the TUFF SHINE Tire Clearcoat.

[FrankS]

Count me in!

Frank S.

[Mike Phillips]

Count me in!

Frank S.

You're on the list!

I'm putting Stacy and her girlfriend Ginger on the list too as they're going to help out.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Awesome ride Stacy!!!! Can't wait to see the progress!!!

Which product line or products will be used?

[Mike Phillips]

Awesome ride Stacy!!!!

After we bought the car we came down to the studio because I wanted to capture her smile in the moment...




She loves her new MB...

Can't wait to see the progress!!!

Which product line or products will be used?

Going to re-inspect the car under garage lighting but out in the sun it did appear to be swirl free. In keeping with the rule of using the least aggressive product to get the job done, especially with Ceramiclear paints systems, the plan will probably be,

1. Wash and rinse and then IronX on the paint and wheels
2. Dry car, move inside and then clay the paint
3. Wolfgang Finishing Glaze - Machine applied
4. Apply LSP - Not sure which one but leaning towards a coating.

IF anything more aggressive than the Wolfgang Finishing Glaze is needed then we'll determine that at the time.

TUFF SHINE Tire Clearcoat on the tires for sure.

The interior is like brand new but I want to treat the MBTex and the leather seats.

Engine compartment looks brand new too but want to do a cosmetic detail like I teach in all our Detailing Bootcamp Classes.


Need to get her to drive my truck to work on Thursday so I can bring her car in early on Thursday to do the washing steps.


Just to note... anytime you're working on a Ceramiclear paint systems you always want to use the least aggressive product to get the job done and try to avoid using compounds and wetsanding.

From this article,

Ceramiclear Paints - Be Careful

After the "cerami"clear top coat is sprayed, the nano particles of Fumed Silica (SiO2), which are synthetically engineered, migrate to the top 0.2 mils of the clear coat as it is curing.

If you remove this potion of the clear layer of paint, the paint under it will be much softer and will not polish out or react the same way the nano particle portion did or would.
You will at some level have compromised the the finish on the car.

[Chris@AutoCleanse]

Might be a maybe, depends on the old lady work schedule, what happened to the Monster Jeep she wanted?

[geekdout]

Hard to believe that's a 2006. It almost looks like a mini SLR.
If you don't go with a coating for whatever reason I would be interested to see how you would apply Klasse Sealant Glaze. Since there are so many different ways on the forum how to apply it. But that may not really work with your process.
Have you tried Chemical Guys Leather Serum yet, I have been really curious about this product since hearing about it.
If there is time available I was hoping I could bring in my mountain bike, I just picked it up from the bike shop and there is a deep scratch in the clear that's too deep to polish out. I was hoping you could offer some advice on touching it up, the carbon fiber is kinda throwing me.
Thanks. Matt.

[57BORNTORUN]

Mike, maybe you should tell the class that Stacy is your lovely Bride.I hope that I`m well enough that day perhaps not to work but to cheer my buddy's on.I have been too sick to even drive down the road most days so maybe I can catch a ride with Louie

[Shortspark]

It will be interesting to watch your progress on this great car. I have an ML350 and my experience suggests that you not use the normal vinyl or leather applications on the MB Tex. Only a sponge with mild soapy water is needed or at most, a mild interior cleaner (like Griot) - and only if there are any stubborn stains. This material is indestructible, unlike leather (be it coated or natural) and most other vinyl but its one flaw is that it can quickly take on the color of your clothes. I wear jeans nearly every day and my MB Tex gets a bluish tint to it after a few weeks of use. Mine is light colored Almond, however, and it appears the SLK has dark seats so there may not be any noticeable clothing marks.

Another tip from a voice of experience is that after your wipe down use a terry cloth towel to dry rather than microfiber. Try both and you'll know why. At the end if you want to slide a bit easier on the seat (MB Tex has a tendency to grab a bit depending on the type clothing material you are wearing) use a light application of 1Z Einszett Vinyl Rubber Care and Protectant Tiefenpfleger. This product makes MB Tex look a little better and adds just the right amount of slickness to slide into the seat without grabbing, especially if wearing jeans. Good luck! Oops, I see you have leather seats and the rest is MB Tex. But the tips remain valid on the interior other than the seats themselves.