07 GL450: 2 days, 23 hours later...

Discussion in 'Show and Shine' started by d00t, Jun 17, 2009.

  1. d00t

    d00t Welcome to Detailing

    Here's an 07 Mercedes GL450. When I first was contacted to do this car, I wasn't aware of the size. And it actually doesn't look THAT big. Until I got it in my garage. It's ABOUT the size of the smaller Escalades. But it really doesn't look that way due to the profile it gives off, a nice sleek design. I really like the car.

    What I didn't like: It was BLACK. And in need of some correction :thud: . The good thing about this particular SUV is it is probably the best cared for car I have come across, SUV or not. Sure, it was swirled, but besides that, the paint was in outstanding condition. I didn't even bother with before pics because it wasn't dirty! Just dusty!

    So on with the wheels, they were first rinsed off at pressure to reduce as much scrubbing as possible.

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    The faces were then sprayed with Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner, and let sit for about a minute before agitating. The tires with sprayed with Eimann Fabrik Tire Cleaner, and the arches got P21S TAW.

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    After the wheels were finished I moved on to the paint. The car was first rinsed thoroughly at pressure before being foamed. I then foamed it with 1oz of CWC and 1oz of CG Maxi Suds:

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    And then, rinsed it off and continued with my two-bucket was with another 2oz of CWC. And then rinsed again. I then pulled the car in for a dry. The car wasn't even contaminated, to go along with the well-taken care of paint. I had a few spots that were spot clayed with Riccardo Yellow, with ONR as clay lube.

    And then the condition of the paint:

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    The process for the paint was all on the DA. I quickly found out the paint was NOT hard, but relatively soft. I ended up going with the KBPCM with M105/205. And then I refined the paint further with the rotary and a 3M UK Blue pad and Ultrafina. Overall I achieved about 85-90% correction which is what I was after, and very pleased with the results.

    50/50 before ultrafina:

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    Mirror Before:

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    After:

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    B-pillar before:

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    After:

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    Rear Quarter done (no ultrafina yet) door not:

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    Door before:

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    After:

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    These pics are before any LSP because the fog was starting to roll in and I wasn't sure if I'd get any afters post-LSP.

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    The car was then brought inside and the final touches performed. The exhaust was polished with mothers. The windows were polished with Wersktatt Prime and then sealed with Acrylic Jett. The wheels were also sealed with acrylic jett, tires got Megs HD 2:1 and the Arches received Adams Undercarriage Spray.

    LSP for this car was Bilt Hamber Auto Balm using Ken's method of applying. Ken, I actually ENJOYED using BHAB with this method, it went on and half SO easily!!

    Final afters:

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    (this is dried wax I missed during the detail--the owner had come by my place today to pick some stuff up, and it was cleaned then :sorry: )

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    That's all, thanks for looking!

    As always, C/C welcome!

    :peace:

    Aaron
     
  2. Asphalt Rocket

    Asphalt Rocket Nuba Guru

    Looks great Aaron, might have to get some of the Auto Balm.
     
  3. mrgolfrider

    mrgolfrider DB Forum Supporter

    WOW, thats alot of vehicle to detail. Thanks for stickin with it, and taking pics!!
     
  4. P1et

    P1et Official DB Moderator

    Looks nice!
     
  5. d00t

    d00t Welcome to Detailing

    Thanks Dana! You won't be disappointed!!

    Thank you!

    Thanks!
     
  6. sal329

    sal329 Nuba Guru

    Another thread making want AB lol. The GL looks fantastic nice work
     
  7. krshultz

    krshultz Nuba Guru

    Great work man! Glad you're putting that Auto Balm of yours to good use. I think it's best on black.

    Classy vehicles, those big Benz SUVs. I'm sort of a M-B fanboi.
     
  8. supercharged

    supercharged DB Forum Supporter

    Awesome work, Aaron! BH Autobalm looks awesome on black!!!
     
  9. bentley147

    bentley147 Jedi Nuba

    i know that truck was alot of work all that black Mercedes Benz truck those hard to correct i think so
     
  10. JLs Detailing

    JLs Detailing DB Pro Supporter

    Great job and isn't it nice to get a car that has an owner that actually cares about it. Gotta love the Autobalm on black. I have black F150 I need to post up that got AB.
     
  11. Chas

    Chas DB Forum Supporter

    I guess I'll jump on the bandwagon and say I am now motivated more to try AB, great job Aaron!
     
  12. d00t

    d00t Welcome to Detailing

    Thanks! I can't get enough of the BHAB!!

    Thanks, Karl! I had remembered what you told me about BHAB on black which is one of the reasons I chose it for this detail. As I wiped it off in the garage, my eyes just lit up. I couldn't beleive the clearity/glow it gave.

    I too am a tad of an MB Fanboi.. especially the new AMGs! :headbang:

    Thanks a lot!

    Thanks! It wasn't too hard to correct, once I found the right process.. there was just a LOT of paint.

    Thanks JL! I know, and he bought $40 of product from me today just to keep it up! Can't wait to see the F150!

    Thanks! I keep seeing AB and think of me too, haha. (My initials are AB).
     
  13. 911Fanatic

    911Fanatic DB Pro Supporter

    Congrats on the job Aaron! Nothing like a big, black SUV to make your day, eh? Glad the application method worked for you.
     
  14. kei169

    kei169 Wax on..Wax off

    Very nice Aaron!
     

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