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 me 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...

__________________
1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction

Hi.

I have seen a product that is a clear plastic that
goes over the paint and lights.(just like those
graphics on the cars in the fast and the furious)

I forgot the name of this product but a good
performance shop should be able to tell you
this.
It is cristal clear and once applied is invisable.


It is easy to clean and doesn't need waxing and
it protects the paint and all lenses.


For wax I use ZYMOL cleaner and wax.
Easy on and off.
One of the best waxes around
www.************************ sells a whole
zymol car care kit ( $120).


I don't know if I was of any help!

Louis

This product is made by 3M and seems to be very popular with people buying new cars and/or driving higher end cars (mbz's etc..)

they apply it to your bumper, rear viewmirrors, and front portion of your hood (area where you get stone chips..)

it's barely visible when close up (only see it if you know its there kind of thing..) and its not noticeable from a few meters back

find somebody in your area who will do this kind of install on your mbz