PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

slowmoe · #1 08-23-2003, 08:19 PM

I drive 30-40K a year on the highway - primarily 95 between NYC and DC. Yes, this is one of the most heavily travel stretches of highway in the world. I am trying my best to protect my car from the obvious abuses that go with this territory.

A few stories:

No too long ago I was caught behind a dump truck actually carrying sand on the highway going 80+ with no cover. I swear I thought that I would not have any paint left after that. A day or two later, I has behind another rig w/o a trailor - keeping my distance when one of his oil gaskets let go. I was sprayed from bow to stern with what must have been a gallon of well used diesel oil. Finally, I was once behind a mini van that ran over a large piece of exhaust. This ruptured the van's fuel line thus again spaying my with a ton of unleaded. I could go on forever.

The most punished areas on my beloved E300 are:

1) The front air dam
2) The head lights, turn signals and fog lights (It think I replaced everyone on my last 124)
3) Wheels
4) Rearview mirrors

They are all in great shape now and I want to keep them that way. Aside from the normal "good coat of wax," which I do faithfully (Goldclass or Griot's) what can I do to PROTECT from these offences. I am willing to go to another wax that is more resistant to abuse in exchange for shine, ease of applicating, etc...