So a couple weeks back I get a call from my dad. While he was at work a little birdy left a present. He called me since I have been telling him to get this thing detailed anyways, so he told me to take it. He has a couple cars, so he doesn't really care how long I have this one for. I think its a 1999 SL500 with 28,000 miles (4k mi. less than my 08 fit), and the front has been repainted at least 3 times, the whole car I think has been repainted once. He used to look at everything closely, and nit pick everything, It was at the dealer at least once a month to fix what they tried to fix last time, but now that he's getting older (53) I think he spends his time & energy elsewhere. For the most part he takes really great care of this car, it's just that he doesn't have the knowledge to keep it swirl free. But he does wash & wax it all the time (as you will see left over wax pictures down the page)

Process

Body
Quick detail wipe down (it wasn't dirty)
Clay w/LTD 1:1 lube
m105 polishing pad
m205 finishing pad
m66 finishing pad (where needed)
Lusso Oro Wax

Wheels & Tires
LTD to clean
Poorboys Wheel Sealant
Hyper Dressing 4:1 for a natural tire look
APC 4:1 Clean Wheel Wells
Hyper Dressing 4:1 Dress Wheel Wells

Engine
APC 10:1 (it's pretty clean already)
Hyper Dressing 4:1

Top
APC 10:1
303 Protectant
PlastX for rear window

Interior
APC 10:1 to remove dirt/stains
Megs Quick Interior Detail Spray for Dash and side panels
Megs Detailer Line Leather Cleaner & Conditioner for seats.

I thought I had some full exterior shots in the sun before I went to work, but I guess the inside shots are going to have to do.












Swirls from my dad trying to remove the bird droppings.




Hardwater Spots


Some of the etchings (there were probably 5-6 total)




He used to be VERY nit picky about the car. It seemed like every time he took it to the dealer, he took it back to fix something they did wrong. But now that he is getting older I think he is spending his time and energy elsewhere. From the last paint, it seems the dealer prepped it incorrectly and it was left with deep sanding marks which I think can only be removed by a re-paint.


Here are a few examples of the wax residue left behind.




Look at all the wax inside the nozzles






before side


after side






Tested all of these out, and then decided to try some different of the new stuff that I just purchased.


Sun shots before wax








Waxing


It's coming along nicely.

 

There were still some RIDS, and I didn't have time to dig the wax out of the front window washer nozzles, and maybe a couple of other things. In all I am happy with the outcome, considering my dad said the paint will never look like new (I know he is going to try to take better care of it, but not 100%.)

Here was my work chair, I found that the cup holder comes in handy to place your polish/wax whatever you are using.


Before


After


Before - Is it crazy to even clean the keys?


After


Before


After


Before Different Angle (This actually makes it look 10000% better than it started)


After


Before


After


Before


Afters




I had more befores of the interior, but I don't have the matching afters. I will just show you what I have from after.







And the finale






Remember this?


Bye Bye

 

Very nice job! I wish I had the ability/knowledge to detail like that. I hope he paid you ;-)

 

What was the total work time?

I'm curious why you decided to finish with Lusso instead of fuzion. I think out of all the products you had fuzion would have had the most depth on the black paint.

 

I had just got the Lusso from an order, and I just wanted to try it out. It's not like I will never see this car again.

 

I see, I thought you were just testing waxes and was wondering why you didn't choose the best one for the job.