Concours preparation

[260ebenz]

Busy day today preparing the 300SE for the Concourse.

Still two weeks to go but slowly but surely getting there with the detailing.

Applied the Dubbin leather conditioner to the leather seats, head rests and door trims.

Using a small amount of the Dubbin onto a micro fibre cloth I allowed the product to dry then wiped off the excess.

I have found the Dubbin left the leather feeling soft and smooth not greasy and not an excessive shine on the seats.

Dubbin leaves a pleasant but not over powering bees wax like smell on the seats.

Also applied O'Cedar wood polish to the trim inserts applied with a cloth and buff off the polish to leave the inserts looking superb.

Photos of my hard work for you to look at.

 

[motec 6.9]

Looking good Tim when do you start as a car detailer and open for business .

 

[260ebenz]

Well of course you guessed it more photos!

 

[260ebenz]

Looking good Tim when do you start as a car detailer and open for business .

Thanks very much Motec.

When do I open my own car detailing business my prices would be to expensive for you guys! Lol.

 

[motec 6.9]

So when do you go into business you are getting good at this cleaning job.

 

[260ebenz]

Now the very good news is!

MBCCC President has very kindly offered to help me clean & detail the under carriage and the engine bay day next week.

Take my Karcher pressure cleaner purchase a set of ramps and we will be busy detailing the car!

Very appreciative of the Club President's help!

Post photos of the finished job next week.

 

[260ebenz]

So when do you go into business you are getting good at this cleaning job.

Quite a few years practice cleaning cars Motec like anything you get better with practice.

The aim is to win this year time will tell.

 

[motec 6.9]

Best of luck yes I know Tim when I used to show cars I spent days cleaning before shows.

 

[260ebenz]

Not an easy job either find enough time to complete the jobs you have to do before the Concourse.

With the President's help with the under carriage and engine bay that is a real bonus!

More work to do before the big day but slowly but surely getting there.

 

[motec 6.9]

Don't worry you will get there.

 

[260ebenz]

Thanks for the motivation Motec.


Michel, BenzBoy, Hoddo, Styria, Helmet & SEL_69L what is your opinion of the Concourse detailing progress thus far?

 

[motec 6.9]

Your welcome Tim.

 

[BenzBoy]

Thanks for the motivation Motec.


Michel, BenzBoy, Hoddo, Styria, Helmet & SEL_69L what is your opinion of the Concourse detailing progress so far?

So far so good - don't forget to clean the inside of your exhaust pipe with a kitchen scourer. And no: I am not being silly.
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

Good tip about the kitchen scourer to the inside of the exhaust thanks Brian.

So the kitchen scourer what does it exactly remove Brian?

Looking forward to detailing the under carriage including wheel arches and the engine bay this week.

Karacher pressure cleaner will be ready for action this week!

Painting the inside of the wheel arches black as well I believe that is the correct thing to do?

 

[BenzBoy]

Good tip about the kitchen scourer to the inside of the exhaust thanks Brian.

So the kitchen scourer what does it exactly remove Brian?

Looking forward to detailing the under carriage including wheel arches and the engine bay this week.

Karacher pressure cleaner will be ready for action this week!

Painting the inside of the wheel arches black as well I believe that is the correct thing to do?

Tim - the aim of cleaning inside your exhaust is to remove all carbon deposits. As for painting inside the wheel arches, that depends. Are the wheel arches lined with plastic or are they painted in body colour like the W116?
Regards,
Brian

 

[BenzBoy]

Busy day today preparing the 300SE for the Concourse.

Still two weeks to go but slowly but surely getting there with the detailing.

Applied the Dubbin leather conditioner to the leather seats, head rests and door trims.

Using a small amount of the Dubbin onto a micro fibre cloth I allowed the product to dry then wiped off the excess.

I have found the Dubbin left the leather feeling soft and smooth not greasy and not an excessive shine on the seats.

Dubbin leaves a pleasant but not over powering bees wax like smell on the seats.

Also applied O'Cedar wood polish to the trim inserts applied with a cloth and buff off the polish to leave the inserts looking superb.

Photos of my hard work for you to look at.

The inside of the air vent on the B pillar leading to the door heating of the rear driver's side door is dirty! That will need to be cleaned Tim.
Regards,
Brian
Ps: same for the front passenger door.

 

[260ebenz]

Tim - the aim of cleaning inside your exhaust is to remove all carbon deposits. As for painting inside the wheel arches, that depends. Are the wheel arches lined with plastic or are they painted in body colour like the W116?
Regards,
Brian

Wheel arches are painted with the body colour Brian.

Okay fine clean inside the exhaust removes the carbon deposits got that.

Did not notice the front and rear air vents for the B Pillar were dirty thanks for pointing that out Brian.

I am have made notes on what you have told me to clean Brian makes life easier to refer back to my notes.

Like I said I am going to be busy!

 

[260ebenz]

Washed and soaked the tool kit today the tool kit has not been cleaned for 25 years judging by the condition of the kit.

Tool kit in the laundry sink with washing powder and warm water soaked the tool kit for 30mins.

Red residue was in the water from the tool kit.

Could have bottled the red coloured water and bung in a bottle and sell it is expensive Rose or red wine well maybe not poor joke sorry?! Lol.


Rinsed off the tool kit left in the shade to dry there a few remaining stains on the tool kit bag!

Apply some steel wool over the tools to remove the rust, tools are also 25 years old.

Lay the tool kit on the ground and use a tooth brush to remove the stains soak again and rinse again.

Judging from the tool kit I said it is the original tool kit even has Mercedes-Benz written on the tool kit bag.

If the tool kit is going to be in such poor condition perhaps I should purchase a new W126 tool kit bag would that be a good idea?

What would be the best method to clean the two foot rests and they are made out of carpet?

See so much to do when detailing your car for a Concourse!

 

[BenzBoy]

Tim wrote:"Wheel arches are painted with the body colour Brian."
In that case clean them well but do not paint them black Tim.
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

Only recently washed under the wheel arches by hand only using a micro fibre cloth and wash & wax.

Washing under wheel arches a great way to get cuts and scratches on your hands on well it's a job that has to be done.

Hosed under the wheel arches with the spray nozzle on the end of the hose.

Washed the wash & wax off and allowed to dry.

Could only see the front two wheel arches are painted the body colour.

Once the car is up on the ramps I will be clearly be able to see if the rear wheel arches are also painted the body colour.

Will have to confirm on that next week.