I'm new to this detailing forum. I generally do engine repairs etc. I'm very used to doing a repair (e.g. timing chain) with the respective manual whereby there is one or two right ways to do the job and maybe 30 wrong ways. I must say with detailing it seems there's a different way of polishing/waxing the car for every day of the year. I talk occasionally to "professional" detailers and never seem to get the same answer twice to the same question. It seems like anything goes, and often I get wildly different answers from one detailer to another. I'm really confused and overwhelmed about how to proceed with polishing/waxing etc. I have been reading many posts on this forum over the past few days too. The German product "Klasse" has been recommended I've seen. But Klasse is a paint cleaner/polish/wax all in one bottle. Usually the rule of thumb in life is to avoid any type of product that encompasses three or maybe four or more "products" in one. That doesn't apply to Klasse? Is it that good?

I have a bright red (MB calls it imperial red)1995 E320 that I bought used. I know that the color red is all pigment and fades/oxidizes very easily. The goal is to protect it from that via polishing/waxing. Last summer I used a product made by a company called Presta. It was their "Chroma 1500" polish and their "FastWax". I now see that I should have clayed the car. The people at this autobody supply store also recommended for future "waxing" to use the Presta-brand cleaner wax. What the hell is that? Is it a polish? A wax? A paint cleaner? Do I have to keep re-polishing the car or do I just wax it from here on. These terms are really confusing... I'd like to buy the Klasse stuff since it's an acrylic protector that lasts for months and months.

I like taking care of my car, but I don't have the time to wash/polish/wax my car more than twice a year - and that's pushing it. I just can't devote three+ hours to that one activity more than twice or three times in a year.
When I do clean/wax the car I like to do it right and am willing to spend the time on it, but I'd like a product that will last a long time (rain will bead up on it, etc.) and still hold a luster or gloss with maybe a monthly fifteen-minute once-over with a detailer spray of some sort. What recommendations does anyone have? Any help is appreciated.

you should do a prewash with a seriously sudsing soap, two bucket setup and a seperate bucket/cleaning mit for the wheels

then wash, clay, and then wax of your choice. I'd go for the highest carnuba content you can afford. But I have to do that at least once a month to keep the paint silky smooth and water to bead right off.

Historically I've been using that Mr.Clean de-ionized spray gun. It has its own soap dispeneser built-in, I then use a clean sponge to clean the car. I then use P21S on the wheels. I have used Meguiars paint cleaner, their polish, and their wax (in the past I've done this). Is that a product worth using? What about Sonus products or Zaino? Should I start using Klasse?

I use Poor Boy's stuff

http://www.detailedimage.com/

has a lot of good products.

I've been using stuff from Griot's Garage recently, and they have a good bit of information and tutorial on their website as well.

For me, it's nice that they're just up the road and if I want to go look at something, it's 5 minutes away, but they apparently go to all sorts of concourse car shows around the country, as well as sponsoring one in this area.

__________________
-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

Best appearance products in the world. Buy on-line.

Does Zaino sell their stuff through retailers or only direct?

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

BB, the reason you're confused by all the claims and counter-claims is that most stuff is at least marginally effective, and so everyone has developed their own preferences and testimonials. From what you describe about your own practices (Meguairs, P21S), you're doing just fine. And if you're satisfied with the result, that's what matters.

A couple of things to consider: (1) Klasse is a very reputable old company that supplies German high-end vehicle manufacturers coatings of all sorts. That's a pretty good recommendation right there. If you're put off by their A-I-O (all in one), they sell a plain acrylic sealant that does not have polish in it, so get that; (2) Sonus and Zaino are both quality products, but the Sonus is primarily a polish, not known for wax or sealant; (3) After 30 years of detailing cars and trying just about everything on the market, I've become an unabashed Zaino-phile. Like all high-end coatings, Zaino products are pricier than the stuff at McParts. But once you've made the investment, I can't imagine that there's any way you could be disappointed. Incidentally, Zaino is only available through their online store (zainostore.com). Done in conjunction with a thorough cleansing wash (Dawn dishwashing liquid works great), clay treatment and machine polishing (here I personally use Sonus or Menzerna brand polishes), Zaino leaves the slickest imagineable finish, and it gives good protection for at least 5 months. Reds, in particular, are finicky beasts. Follow a twice-yearly routine of clay, polish, Zaino, and all will be well with the beast. But you can probably say the same by substituting any of the high-end products (Meguiars, Autoglym, Klasse, Menzerna, Einszett, Adams, et al). There, that cleared up the uncertainty, didn't it?

__________________
1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

Yes, thank you. That's the response I was looking for. I may try Klasse just for shxxs & giggles. I was given a Milwaukee-brand polisher/buffer last year, but using that properly requires a Ph.D. I've discovered. I'm just going to try it by hand for now. I may try Zaino in the future though. I will definitely try clay too. I read clay works better than ammonia or Windex at removing those contamination streaks on the windshield after the wipers have passed by. Detailing is interesting but incredibly complex. I'm always interested in something if it's better than what I'm using...

Any appearance/finish care product like Meguairs which contain petroleum distillates, is passe, in my honest opinion of product comparisons when contrasted with the new water-based, non-silicone products on the market today. Clue yourselves in, and toss the oil-petroleum products. Wizards Products (for instance) contain no oil (petroleum) or silicone. I'm sure there are others......I just don't know their brand names. You also can do better than the Mercedes-Benz labeled stuff. I believe Meguiars private labels for MB. Also, nix the wax/carnuaba routine.......paint sealants (non-oil-based) is the way to go in 2009.

In my experience, detailing is simple once you finally realize certain products you've been using for years don't work, and learn why they don't work. I am using a product named Mist 'N Shine from the aforementioned company that is perfect for glass, chrome, and paint finishes, that absolutely does not streak. Homemade remedies like ammonia or vinegar and water are just so archaic......and they don't work when detailing these cars. Above all avoid the oils and silicone based products, they just don't work as well as water-based finishes and sealants.

Another inherent problem to the detailing industry is cheap, diluted products being used that just don't last on their work. Swirl-marking cheap finishes that don't last, does a diservice to the public that pay for good detailing services. A buddy of mine paid a clip joint $550.00 to renew, buff and polish the exterior of his diesel motorcoach, only a 26' unit. The job lasted a total of about 3-4 months, then it disappeared from his coach's surfaces. He was hopping mad when I unpacked his problem with the cheap products that a detailing shop in Nacogdoches, Texas used on his rig. He over paid by $350.00 for the service too, from going cheap rates of today. If the job was worth it's salt, it would last close to 5-years, before needing a repeated finish renewal, using the correct products.

There's a reason it's called "detailing."

__________________
1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

Five years? Not even close, unless it's being sprayed with marine varnish! Where do you come up with this stuff?

__________________
1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

"Not even close to what?" Your oil-based Meguiar's "greasy oil finish" that's good for a couple three months?? LMOA!

Read my previous post two up ^^^ and go to the company website for Wizards Products, and learn something for a change.

My fiberglass coach's finish using water-based Wizards Products provides a sealant-finish nothing "even comes close" to it. And my coach is in the elements 24/7.

Not even close to 5 years. No car care coating gives five years of effective protection! Look around, you'll see plenty of 5-year old cars with the clear coat deteriorating, never mind a wax/sealant/polymer, etc. But if you're satisfied with the products you use, that's the important thing. Others just shouldn't be misled by exaggerated claims. The only "wizardry" involved here is how that company manages to separate money from the gullible.

__________________
1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't