I plan on selling my 93 190E 2.6 soon, and was wanted to get the car looking the best it can. The interior is flawless (and I am a perfectionist) but the exterior paint has some small swirl marks and surface scratches. Don't get me wrong the pain is in real great condition, except I want it looking as close to new as possible. It has the shine but I want a deeper wet look to the paint.

I planned on buffing the car and was wondering what your guys opinions are on that. Also I wanted to know what you guys think about washing/waxing/polishing/clear coating/DuPont Teflon/Steam Clean/etc. I want to keep the car looking its best this summer as I try to sell it.

It shines pretty well, and I don't feel it is necessary at all to paint it. I think that my car's finish is better then many its age, and even in the photo below, the car looks probably at its worst. It realy hasn't gone through any winters, so no salt/corroision problems.

I took the wheels off the other day and clean the inside and out and they look brand new and shine beautifully. I cleaned the fender wells real well and got all the dirt out of there.

I was wondeirng which Meguiar's products yoy recommend anyways. I use the pink Tire gel for the tires and they are great, as well as gold glass car wash, and Meguiars wax. There is just so many, i don't know which ones to use.

What I really want is the deep wet look, and want to get some minor swirl marks and surface scratches out of the paint finish. I also want the wet look to last as long as possible.



Thanxs.

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Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benx ML 430 V8 w/custom TV, Video, UHF, speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w. stock stereo for integrated cellular phone speaker system
- had a 93 190E m103 3.2, 5-speed trans,
- had a 88 300E 2.6
- had a 84 300TD w/275k+ miles
- 2001 C-Class - Maybe (if 190E sells)

Being a fellow 190E 2.6 owner (mine's a 89) and some experience woeking in a detail shop some years back here is what I would advise. For the swirl marks (my car is Black Pearl so I've got 'em too) use Meguiars Number 9 in the light tan color. You will lose feeling in your arms unless you use a buffer..be warned!It's basically a three step process. Prep-Polish-Wax. Then apply Meguiars Show Car Glaze Number 7..again use the tan bottle. By this time you should have the old "see yourself shine". Last step is to protect with Meguiars number 26...yep...good old carnuba...no cleaners..no abrasives! Always start with a freshly washed car and in a shaded area. Also, muy importante....terry cloth towels and wash 'em all the time. They tend to pick up all sorts of microscopic things...some abrasive. Oops...washer just started buzzing...time to put another load of terry cloth towels in the dryer from this mornings "religious experience". Good luck on the sale

Dave Browning
89 190 E 2.6

Chiragp...Very important about the above post. When removing wax-polish remember to remove in a linear motion. Don't do the "circular thing" as this tends to create, or at the very least add to the dreaded swirl marks! My car is Black Pearl and, as all you guys know even the least little scratch/swirl mark stands out like an INS agent in Florida.

Dave Browning
89 190 E 2.6

Charlie,
See the detailing FAQ we have published in the DIY section of this site. Pretty much go with what Dave said above.

wash, #9, #7, then wax. You may prefer Gold Class liquid over #26 but both are top notch.

The #9 will work best if you apply, agitate, then remove. Multiple cycles of apply/remove work much better (and are MUCH easier on your arms) than applying one coat, buffing the hell out of it, then trying to remove it. 2-3 cycles should do it but just keep looking at the paint and doing cycles until the swirls are gone. Some areas may need more treatments than others. You can spot scratch/swirl treat with some #9 on the tip of your (very clean) bare finger.

From there you can either use a detailing clay if the finish still feels a bit "sandpaperish".

If you are going straight to the polish apply/remove coats of #7 until the removal rag no longer shows any black-ish residue and only has the greenish look of the polish.

Lastly, wax with either Mirror Glaze #26 or Gold Class Liquid.

Dave was right in that you cannot underestimate the importance of 100% cotton terry and diaper cloth rags. See the detailing FAQ for further recommendations or clarifications.

Let me know if you have any questions...happy detailing!

Lee