Restoring the Roar: Our 3 Day Car Detailing Process to Perfect the Mercedes C63's Oxidised Paint
- kyle
- 14 minutes ago
- 4 min read
We recently welcomed a stunning, yet tired-looking, 10 year old Mercedes Benz C63 into the studio for a comprehensive three-day detail. This isn't just any sports car the C63 is a unique and captivating vehicle that we believe is destined to become a future classic.
The old way of car care failed this vehicle the paintwork was showing clear signs of neglect, including heavy oxidation, and had never been professionally detailed before. What if you could protect your car's finish with a permanent shield that not only makes it look sensational but also ensures this future classic maintains its value?
We’re introducing you to a New Opportunity: the multi surface, 3 year ceramic coating.
Our mission was to restore its former glory and apply lasting protection. This is a real world case study to show you how we do it and why it’s the only way to truly protect an investment like the C63. By the end of this post, you will understand the meticulous 3 day process required to restore neglected paintwork and protect a performance vehicle with a durable ceramic coating, empowering you to maintain your classic for years to come.
Day 1: The Invisible Work That Makes All the Difference
The secret to a flawless finish isn't just the coating itself it’s the relentless preparation. This is where we demonstrate our expertise and attention to detail, spending the entire day on deep cleaning and decontamination.
Wheels, Arches, and Engine Bay Meticulousness
We start with the dirtiest parts first, the wheels, arches, and engine bay.
Wheels: We removed the wheels entirely to allow for a deep clean, tackling stubborn brake dust, tar spots, dirt, and fallout.
Engine Bay: The engine bay received a thorough clean and detail to remove dust, excess grease, grime, and debris like fallen leaves. The plastics were treated with a hydrophobic dressing, and the paintwork trim received a sealant.
Wheel Protection: The wheels were cleaned and set aside, ready for their own dedicated 2 year ceramic coating installation later.
Three Stage Paintwork Decontamination
The most critical step is the deep clean of the porous paint to remove any bonded on contaminants that a normal standard wash misses.
Triple Wash: We performed a pre wash, snow foam, and contact wash to remove surface dirt.
Chemical Decontamination: We used tar & glue, and fallout removers on the paint.
Mechanical Clay Bar: This final step removed all remaining bonded dirt, leaving the paint surface incredibly smooth. Now this is ready for its machine polishing paint correction.
Glass Treatment Preparation - Ceramic Coating
To wrap up the first day, the glass was machine polished and then treated with a dedicated 2 year ceramic coating - Gtechniq Smart Glass
Day 2: Restoring the Paint to its Fullest Glory
This is the phase where we correct past damage and unlock the paint's true, vivid red colour. It was a demanding, challenging day, taking approximately 10 hours of focused work.
Single-Stage Machine Polish
The paintwork had accumulated significant swirl marks and was heavily oxidised.
We performed a single stage machine polish to remove light scratches and swirls.
The goal was to dramatically enhance the gloss levels of the vehicle’s red paintwork.
Bringing the "Aha" Moment to Life
This intensive correction process required careful attention to complex areas like the rear diffusers, splitters, and spoiler. The transformation was crucial, showing the client the value of this process and confirming the "old way" of neglect was over. Once polishing was complete, the vehicle was panel wiped down, ensuring the surface was perfectly clean and ready for the coating.
Day 3: Interior Sanctuary & Ceramic Coating Application
The final day brought the entire detail together with interior restoration and the ultimate protection layer.
Interior Deep Clean and Protection
The interior was thoroughly deep cleaned and sanitised:
Deep Clean: We used steam cleaners, compressed air, and a wet vac to get into all the hidden nooks and crannies.
Interior Protection: We applied specific Gtechniq products, including Leather Guard to all leather upholstery and Smart Fabric to the fabric components of the interior cab.
The Final Layer: Exterior Professional Grade Ceramic Coating
This is the moment we apply the cutting edge technology that will protect the C63 for years to come.
Application: We applied a 3 year guaranteed, professional, and durable level ceramic coating to the vehicle’s exterior.
Meticulous Coverage: The coating was applied using a meticulous cross hatch pattern (up/down and left/right motion) to ensure complete coverage on all aspects of the paintwork.
Fine Details: Special small tools were used to successfully ceramic coat the grille and its surrounds, ensuring the entire exterior, from top to bottom, is fully protected.
The Result: A Masterpiece Built to Last
The final result was absolutely sensational a true highlight of our detailing work this year! The once dull, oxidised red paint now gleams with an incredible gloss, perfectly complementing the C63's aggressive styling. Not only does this future classic look amazing, but it also sounds just as good as it looks.
So, what's in it for you? Time freedom, reduced stress from maintenance, and the confidence that your vehicle is truly protected against the elements. This is the ultimate "How I" guide, showing you how we take our clients' cars to the next level.
Ready to Protect Your Future Classic?
P.S. Have a detailing question or need to protect your performance vehicle? Let's talk about the new opportunity for your C63 or other prized car!
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