Just bought a 2002 ML 320 and want to keep it in great shape. Also just bought the complete car care kit from Mercedes. Ideally how often should I clean and what products do I use on a regular basis and how often do I use the paint cleaner, etc.

Congratulations and welcome,

First a tip, you can get almost any answer by using the search feature. Also, there is a great FAQ on car care on this site.

To answer your question, you should was your car once a week with car wash soap, not dish wash soap. You should wax your car about once a month depending on where you live and if your car is garaged ect. Since your car is new, taking a few steps now will help keep it that way for a long time.

Only use a 100% cotton chennile or sheep skip wash mit, it's best if you have two. Use one for the horizontal and another for the vertical surfaces. Never use them to clean your wheels. Sponges are OK, but they can hold sand and junk that will scratch your paint. Only use a car wash soap, dish was soap will strip off wax. Use a leather chammois or a synthetic one (I like synthetic, it doen't leave a residue) then a quality, clean, 100% cotton towel. Don't use one that has fabric softener, it'll leave streaks.

You shouldn't need to use a cleaner for about a year if you do the above, and only once or twice a year after that. Since you bought a Mercedes care kit, it's probably Meguire's product, which most folks here like. There are more exotic/expensive products, but you can't go wrong with Meguire's. Click on the link at the top of the page and check out their car care Rx, it's free.

Stay away from silicone products on the dash, and mild soap and water will keep your seats looking good for a long time. Be careful with wheel cleaners, follow directions to the letter. If they say spray on, hose off and dry immediately, thay ain't kidding. Most agree, P21S is the mildest and safest.

Enjoy your new Benz. You have found the best, friendliest and most helpful site on the web.

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Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

You seem pretty knowledgable, when drying off...have you used a synthetic cloth called the "absorber" and how can a make sure I have no water spots...it seems like I can't dry my vehicle fast enough.

Are you drying it in the shade? If not, you should. If the Absorber is what I think it is, the're fine. As long as it's wet, you can go over a half dry area with the wet absorber, then finish with a soft cotton terry towel.

Once you get a good coat of wax, then when you are done washing, take the nozzle off, turn the water down and gently"float" a sheet of water over the surface of the car. Start on the roof, then the hood and trunk, then the sides. By the time you are done, most of the water will have run off leaving very little water left to dry. The trick is, make a sheet of water cover as much continuous area as you can.

Then you just wipe with a damp cloth, or whatever, and buff with a clean terry towel. Cuts drying time in half and eliminates water spots.

Before you know it, your neighbors will be bugging you to find out how come your ML always looks so good.

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Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

The only thing I could add to Mr. Bill's great advice is the use of Final Inspection - another Meguiers product. I spray and wipe the car with it after washing - it removes any remaining streaks from towel marks, whatever. It also seems to extend the life of the wax.

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John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E

you may also want to read lees detailing FAQ. I believe it is found in the DIY link at the top of the page.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Hi Bill:
I have a C240 what product should I apply to the dash board and other areas which are not leather??? for car wax product which one is good to buy???
Thanks

Congrats on your New MB you're never go wrong with meguairs.

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96' E320

myc240

Without a doubt, the BEST product on the market for the dash and MB Tex is Vinylex (in a sky blue bottle) around here I find it at PEP Boys. It's made by Lexol. It will make the dash and other non leather areas look great, it's not greasy like ArmorAll and it has a sun UV rating of 60. The hard core show guys all use it.

Good Luck,
Mike

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1974 450SL 99K miles
1996 C220 142K miles
MBCA Concours Judge
Western Reserve Section

I've used Vinylex and have been pleased. However, when I purchased some Leatherique I used the Pristine Clean on a door panel that I had previously cleaned with Vinylex. I applied it and let it soak for an hour or so then wiped it off with a white cloth. I was amazed at the amount of dirt Vinylex left behind. Needless to say the rest of the vinyl cleaned up nice too, especially the dash. Interior looks like new.

sbr
'79 450SL
77,00 miles
Milanbraun/Bamboo/Chocolate

Good point sbr...

Vinylex is not that great of a cleaner. I will use a good all purpose cleaner first and then follow-up with Vinylex. Then it seems the more I use Vinylex the better the results(over time)I will get.

The products that make vinyl "shine" or "look like new" tend to attract dust/dirt over time...kind of the nature of the beast.

Mike

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1974 450SL 99K miles
1996 C220 142K miles
MBCA Concours Judge
Western Reserve Section

Is the Meguiars carpet cleaner, also safe for vinyl and other interior surfaces. When I clean, it is what I use and then follow up with Vinylex. I have Parchment interior, which looks great, but shows dirt/grime/etc. the Meguiars cleaner with the Vinylex keeps it looking great........and the car is 25 years old with the original interior.

Jim