Is anybody else this anal? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Pete Geither · #1 05-29-2003, 07:09 PM

Doing a serious wax job on my Benzes, I will usually remove the door handles and side mouldings to make sure I get everything waxed. I routinely clean the engine compartment with a toothbrush. I waste a LOT of time in my life fawning over the cars and know I could be helping finding the cure for untold diseases or helping the poor or saving the earth. Can't help it though as I love these cars. Anyone else have this problem?

BenzOnline · #2 05-29-2003, 11:06 PM

yup Im so anal about the car and its cleanliness that the neighbours pretty much laugh now whenever they see me with the hose....then again they clean their cars a few times a year.

rickg · #3 05-30-2003, 10:31 AM

Look at it this way, it keeps you out of trouble and away from the TV.

I'm not near that compulsive. I wash the car several times a week as needed, but it's just a wash. I wax it only a couple times a year. (The paint ain't that good anyway)
I have a brother-in-law however that's about as fanatical as it gets. He has a Dodge Neon RT that is NEVER dirty. Has one of those car-duster things to dust it off when he gets home everyday. Is constatntly waxing, scrubbing the rims, keeps his tires sprayed with tire stuff, ect.

elau · #4 05-30-2003, 03:44 PM

I once had a neighbour washed his car everyday after work. It was a BMW 528 and he did keep that car looking neat and clean.

I do use a Claifornia dust mop on my R129 everytime I come home after a drive, beore putting the car cover over it. I only wash the car as needed and wax it twice a year. I try not to get the car wet too much

rickg · #5 05-30-2003, 04:48 PM

I think those old 'Z' cars would rust in the desert

Adding moisture is just fanning the flames...er rust

tabasco85331 · #6 05-30-2003, 05:06 PM

A friend told me that pro detailers use a toothbrush to get those tiny bits of wax out all over the car . I use it everytime , works great ! Around the Benz insignia , window trim , everyplace .

Pete Geither · #7 05-30-2003, 07:17 PM

Actually I use a toothbrush under the hood and around the wheelwells and wheels. A detail brush is best used around emblems and lights and such. Wax gets around the raised letters on lights,,,,, gotta watch out for that.

placo1 · #8 05-30-2003, 07:20 PM

BTW anyone who is serious about detailing their cars should check out Autopia.org although if your borderline requiring medication I highly recommend staying away.

BoostnBenz · #9 05-31-2003, 03:26 AM

On my first car (back when I used to take them to mechanics) I had the motor and underbody looking so clean that most mechanics would compliment me on having such a clean motor.

I've always been bad, but not quite pull the wheel off to clean behind it bad though.

I've been thinking about making a 'drive through touchless wash' sprayer so whenever needed I can drive through it before taking off, then it'll dry itself as I go.

Thanks for the toothbrush tip I'll try it out tomorrow, er later today.

I **HATE** seeing leftover wax, I've actually went over my uncles and started cleaning his car off because he left so much on in those little spots. LOL I swear weeks after waxing it I'm still walking around finding those little spots on mine, so irritating. As soon as I have it all cleaned off it is time to wax it again.

I can't imagine a car attracting rust, must not of been galvanized or had a good sacrificial metal on it before painting.

Cap'n Carageous · #10 05-31-2003, 09:24 AM

My best friend back in high school used to take the tires off his car when he washed it. He washed the back side of the tires and painted the brake drums. I thought he was crazy.

rickg · #11 05-31-2003, 02:52 PM

Trying to keep a car anywhere near that clean in this rainey country is a waste of time. Wash it, next day it's muddy. Guess that's one reason I never got real fanatical about it. But I am able to do a bit better now that I have the Audi for a daily driver, and can keep the Benz under cover till the sun comes out

placo1 · #12 05-31-2003, 03:11 PM

I spent a Saturday cleaning my wheel wells but it's not futile since I don't drive the 500 on rainy days. I'm also prepping for a concours so I have an excuse!

The best methods I've found for removing wax from tight exterior trim areas is actually a wooden toothpick. Wood won't scratch the paint and can easily remove wax from lettering in the lights, your rear badge and any trim. Q-Tips soaked in a quick detailer are excellent when cleaning rubber trim around the rear windows, sunroof and doors. You should follow up with a rubber/vinyl conditioner which can also be easily applied with Q-Tips.

If you do decide to use a brush you should stick with Boars Hair detail brushes, even a soft toothbrush is too hard and will create small scratches.

Nylon brushes are great for engine detailing but try to be gentle on painted surfaces as they will scratch. Again a boars hair or horse hair brush will work as well and won't scratch.

tabasco85331 · #13 05-31-2003, 05:28 PM

My brother who is ''fanatical'' about his Porsche 911 Carrera (black on black oyster paint , the most expensive color Porsche sells) told me years ago that most if not all pro detailers use a synthetic polish called Nufinish on all expensive paint jobs . This polish was also Consumer Reports winner of over 50 different polish compounds tested . This polish protected paint better than all the competition . This polish is not a ''cleaner'' polish though , so if you have any oxidized paint on your car you need a cleaner before you ''seal' the finish . Natural ''wax'' based polishes do not protect near as well , but the bad part about them is that they ''yellow'' with age even the expensive ones . I would never use them ever ! Nufinish only for my Benz ! 1989 420 SEL looks ''show room''great , the finish is a mirror .

Pete Geither · #14 05-31-2003, 10:08 PM

Been using Nufinish for years,,, lasts a long time and has great shine. The microfiber towels are not only great for taking wax off, they do the best job of anything next to a squeegie on windows.

placo1 · #15 05-31-2003, 10:12 PM

I'm not a fan of NuFinish, I use S100 Shine Enhancing Paint Cleanser Polish and S100 Carnauba Wax. I like the deep look Carnauba provides and since I polish before every wax I'm not too concered about buildup.

If I were considering a synthetic polymer again I would really look at Zaino, it endurs the elements quite well and also has a great shine, too shiny for my liking.