Anything else I can improve on?

[mbeige]

I detailed my car last year and took some pics. Until now I maintain the same regimen and added a few items on my detail box. However, I was wondering what else can I improve on? I'm in Anaheim, CA, so I'm quite far from Big Bert's or Meguiar's in Kamias. Pero I'm pretty close to the Meguiar's headquarters in Irvine

Mother's Claybar
Meguiar's Paint Cleaner
Meguiar's #7
Meguiar's #26
Simple Green degreaser for engine
Aerospace 303 for dash, interior, weatherstripping

All hand-applied with microfiber towels and foam pad applicators.

But if I look closely at the paint, sometimes I see a smudge that I can't remove. I don't think they're scratches, and I don't know how else to describe them. Paint is non-clearcoat, non-metallic, single-stage typical of these w123s.

What is the best way to clean the trunk emblems? I have my used toothbrush pero I still can't get it really clean, looks like there's some stubborn oxidation in there. Do I need to remove the emblems? The star is not a problem, malinis siya. Just the "300D" and "turbodiesel" ones yung madumi pa rin.

When I use Mother's Back to Black on the bumper ends and side trim, it doesn't last for me, I try it pero it keeps coming back.

Lastly, I painted the grille screen black, pero I was still a newbie at painting so I forgot to use primer. How do I safely remove the paint if and when I disassemble the grille? I do not want to use my stock spare since yung shape medyo pango, flat yung curvature niya compared to the original.

This is my daily ride, 170k mile 83 300D.

Other items I use when necessary:

Meguiar's Scratch X
Meguiar's PlastiX
EagleOne tire spray
Turtlewax2001 trim spray
Mother's Aluminum Polish
Turtlewax Rubbing Compound, red (1 nasty spot on the door)
Meguiar's Gold Class car wax for general cleaning
Meguiar's Swirl Remover 2.0
Lexol cleaner + conditioner (maski vinyl yung interior hehe)





These pics were taken this year:

[Karding]

kaya pala mbeige, beige ang kulay ng mercedes. ang linis kapatid, pati engine bay.

[empy]

ganda nyan ah. sariwang sariwa!

i think you're off to a good start with what you already have. meguiar's and lexol are always good value for money.

later on when your current supply starts running out, you may want to experiment with other products to see if you like the finish and durability better. some good products to look at are Klasse, Poorboys, P21S, Zaino and FMJ (actually they are my favorites so forgive the bias ). for other members' recommendations please consult the 'detailing thread'

meguiar's 7 and 26 are a glaze and wax combo, right? personally, i prefer Klasse All-in-One + Sealant Glaze, topped off with P21S carnauba wax. mas matrabaho but i like the results better.

imo lang din, but i hate those back-to-black and tire black type products. i just clean my rubber surfaces as best as i can with no treatments to avoid that shiny "greasy" look that i despise. besides, as you say, it doesn't last anyway.

i also don't like to use rubbing compound. much too abrasive for my taste. if i can't get it out with a buffer and swirl remover, then i'd consider getting it painted. maaaybe if i was feeling like taking risks i'd use meguiar's #4 but i often get in trouble with that stuff.

if you painted a surface without properly prepping it, i highly recommend you strip off the old paint job before redoing it. sand it all the way down with fine grit sandpaper (600 then polish with 2000)

if you really want to go all out i suggest you invest in an orbital buffer as well.

good lucK!

[Elroi]

nice ride u got there.. linis nga pati ilalim at engine bay..

[schnitzerz4]

wow ang kinis

[scarab]

....hayup sa engine bay! your 23yo ride looks like it just rolled out of the showroom.

[gwapito69]

hayuf ang oto mo bosing ang kinis.. kung baga sa gurl e nasa tuhod ka palang e ubos na laway mo...

[empy]

mbeige, taga anaheim ka nga pala. malapit sa inyo si gwapito69 and karding....kung kailangan mo ng tulong sa pagdetail lagi silang handang tumulong any day, any time.

just another benefit of being part of the tsikot community :hihihi:

[Karding]

mbeige, taga anaheim ka nga pala. malapit sa inyo si gwapito69 and karding....kung kailangan mo ng tulong sa pagdetail lagi silang handang tumulong any day, any time.

just another benefit of being part of the tsikot community :hihihi:

gwapito69 volunteered mbeige's place for next SoCal EB :evillaugh

[ronald_m]

let me know if you get tired of that car.I'll take it off your hands.