1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Swirl Removal

[Mike Phillips]

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 ML - Extreme Makeover - Swirl Removal

Coming up in the next week or two is a before and after showing the products, tools and techniques necessary to restore a swirl-free flawless finish on the below car.

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2300SL1.jpg

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2300SL4.jpg

While in the above pictures, the car looks pretty good, in real life the finish is filled with swirls, with what looks to be both cobweb-effect and rotary buffer instilled swirls.

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2300SLSwirlsBefore1.jpg

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2300SLSwirlsBefore2.jpg


We also noticed water spots on the chrome bumpers that appear to have been caused by minierals that have dried before being wiped off.

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2300SLWaterSpots1.jpg

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2300SLWaterSpots2.jpg

Here's something to think about, if there are water spots on the chrome, chances are good there are water spots on the finish, glass and other exterior components as well. It's just that often times it can be hard to see these spots unless you're at the right angle and in the right light.

We will inspect for water spots over the rest of the car and if found, we will remove them also.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story...

Mike

[kr4336]

This should be GREAT!

Bring it on...

[Griz]

beautiful car & i'm looking forward to the results, but i bet the side of the car is going to be unbelievable fun to work on

[Bill D]

I'm very interested. Is the paint real soft?

[Vandelete]

Well Mike keep us informed.. we will be waiting for the reslults and good luck with the removal of swirls and any other nasty contaminant.:xyxthumbs

[gbackus]

Wait until you guys see the after photos, pictures will not do justice to how great this car actually came out. :)

[Mike Phillips]

First of all, I would like to thank gbackus for driving all the way out here to help transform this beautiful car into a drop dead gorgeous piece of rolling artwork! Your craftsmanship, professionalism and attention to detail was second to none.

Second of all, because we found the paint on this to be dangerously thin in some areas, we chose to perform the entire makeover by hand. All of the results you will see were accomplished by hand using products available at most auto parts stores across America and to a great extent, across the world.

Third of all, the write-up and the rest of the pictures will not be posted until next week. So stay tuned, until then... here's some teasers!

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/258MLSidebySideBeforeAfter1.jpg

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/258MLFinished3.jpg

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/258MLFinished1.jpg

Mike

[HotRodGuy]

:bow :coolgleam

[Griz]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/258MLFinished1.jpg


Is it just me or is the car grinning. Just by these most recent pics, the results are amazing, I'm assuming that the water etching came off nicely, because the chrome and paint look much better.

Beautiful car gbackus.

[gbackus]

Originally posted by Griz
Is it just me or is the car grinning. Just by these most recent pics, the results are amazing, I'm assuming that the water etching came off nicely, because the chrome and paint look much better.

Beautiful car gbackus.

I wish it was my car :) It was a pleasure working on it though. As I was telling Mike, I was so excited I couldn't sleep the night before. You never know when you'll get to work on something like this, so when the chance came, I jumped on it. The owner was a really super nice guy and I thank him for allowing Mike and I to work on his car. As always, Mike was a pleasure to work with, and I'm always learning new things from him, so I'd like to thank him again for having me over. Thanks again Mike! Well, I'm rambling and I've got to up early tommorrow, so I'll stop typing. Cya guys later.

[ron]

Mike can you list the procedure and products you used in removing the swrils on the Mercedes and what did you do to remove the etching on the chrome bumpers.

Ron

[Bri]

Nice work Mike!!! I can't wait for the write-up because i really want to know how you guys did it with hand! :)

[gbackus]

I'm not Mike, but I can answer the question.

We first did a couple of test spots with Scratch X and a foam applicator pad, and found the paint to be soft and thin in some areas and Mike thought it'd be best not to machine polish, so we finished the car by hand with scratch x. We then applied deep crystal polish and two thin coats of nxt. As you can see, the results speak for themselves. On the wheels we used NXT, and hot shine for the tires. For the chrome we used Gold Class Metal Polish. On the interior I used the Gold Class Aloe Cleaner and Conditioner 2 step system. I think that's about it.

[Paulvr4]

what was used on the bumpers? nxt all metal? please let me know

;)

[gbackus]

Originally posted by Paulvr4
what was used on the bumpers? nxt all metal? please let me know

;)

Gold Class. If I have Mike's permission I can post up a bunch of pictures from the detail?

[Paulvr4]

gold class on metal?

no polish of anysort? do let me know!

[gbackus]

Sorry, I meant Gold Class All Metal Restorer

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/607IMG_5837-med.JPG

[Paulvr4]

that's soooo sweeeet =)

thanks gbackus!

[LnkPrkSoldier]

looking forward to this writeup. what makes paint become thin? or is just how it was applied? is there a 'home test' to check the thickness of paint? i remember seeing superior shine has something.