Cleaning Products

[n/a]

Hi all,

Have had my 1969 280SL for a couple months now.  Has been a great find here in Brisbane Australia.

Anyways I am wanting to keep it nice and clean and shinning.

What products would you recommend to keep the chrome polished?

Also what products would you recommend I use to clean and clarify the window on the softtop?

Thanks

Tobby

[Cees Klumper]

For the top, a very good product is made by Raggtop (a cleaner and a protectant). For the plastic window use a cleaner/polish that is made for this purpose (I use a Meguiar's product that is very good). For the chrome, there are specific polishes that should do the trick, I don't think there's anything really special you can do there, either the chrome is good (but maybe dirty) or it is worn. if the latter, not much you can do to make it look better.

[W113SL]

quote:Originally posted by cees klumper

For the top, a very good product is made by Raggtop (a cleaner and a protectant). For the plastic window use a cleaner/polish that is made for this purpose (I use a Meguiar's product that is very good). For the chrome, there are specific polishes that should do the trick, I don't think there's anything really special you can do there, either the chrome is good (but maybe dirty) or it is worn. if the latter, not much you can do to make it look better.

Cees is correct on the soft top products.  For chrome, try Wenol polish or Happich or Mother's chrome polish.

Pete Lesler

[Douglas]

The single most useful product I've used on my car is paint cleansing CLAY. The stuff is remarkable. When combined with a better wax like, say, Zymol, it's an unbeatable combination.

I'm not sure where you'd get it in Australia, but I would imagine it's available in auto parts stores.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260

[Bob G ✝︎]

Hi, Tobby:
 Bob Geco here. I read your question. It appears you want to clean the convertible rear plastic window, I hope this is correct. there are several companies I work with that make outstanding products for convertible rear windows. Let me list them then get to the meat of your question.
1) Auto Sol German Plastic cleaner used by BMW
2) Zymol HD Cleanse High Density Cleanse works great on plastic rear windows
3) Meguires Plastic window cleaner kit
4) water proofing Ragg-Topp convertible car care kit for fabric tops OEM & aftermarket approved by Hartz
5) Plas Tec by Amco products
6) Plexus Aircraft supply store Great"


  Plastic rear windows are like the clear coat of paint on modern cars. They are very affected by sun & dry out quickly. To keep them in the best condition let me first recommend the you place a soft bath towel across the convertible rear window when you lower the soft top into the boot. This will help to keep the top rear window from rubbing against itself during driving.
 Cleaning & polishing the rear plastic window can be done after a carwash. Dry the soft top with a chamois or micro fiber towel. I take 3-M 1 inch blue tape and mask around the square fabric points of the window so that no excess polish ends up in the fabric.
 I like Micro fiber towels if you can't fine one use a soft cotton diaper or t-shirt. Rub any of the recommened polishes into the plastic until they begin to dissipate, buff clean with a clean towel. The same system can be done on the inside of the soft top.

One of the last things I do to maintain a finish on the plastic convertible rear windows is spray Plexus. This product is available from most any aircraft supply store so check your airport or retail chain stores that sell to air craft owners. This product is anti static and can clean & polish in one step providing the rear window is in fair to good shape.
For chrome & paint I highly recommend Zymol Car Care Products.
If you have any questions or have any problems getting any of these products, please let me know how I can help.
Happy Motoring
Bob Geco

[rwmastel]

quote:The single most useful product I've used on my car is paint cleansing CLAY. The stuff is remarkable.

I believe the clay bar products are meant for a clear coat paint and is not necessary for an unprotected paint.  My paint has no clear coat and I just used a set of Meguiar's products (wash, clean, polish, wax) that worked well, but I would think many products work well.  Does your car have a clear coat?

Rodd
1966 230SL Euro
1994 E420

[n/a]

I keep my chrome clean and sparkling with Bon Ami feldspar soap, available at your local grocer or hardware store. Wet the bar, apply to a wet sponge and simply give the chrome a good rub down. Dries to a fine film which you wipe off with a dry rag. I got this tip from the chrome replating  person I used during my restoration, and it does a fine job along with being dirt  cheap.

Fred Finney

[Richard Madison]

Opinions vary, that's what makes owning a classic such a fun "game". While at an MB Concours this past weekend, an admirer of my newly rechromed rear cautioned me not to use any commercial chrome polish. He said they are all abrasive to some degree and that modern rechrome coating is softer than the original. He advised that it was best to use a soft cloth and plain water whenever possible. Another "advisor" said he has used a dry (yes, dry) flannel cloth on his chrome for many years and it still looks great.

If Bon Ami Feldspar soap is at all abrasive, at least these two advisors would be much against it. I've never seen Feldpsar soap but it sounds strong. You can use a product for many year and think it's harmless, until one day when that annoying slightly yellow nickel undercoat smiles up at you.
Richard M

[Douglas]

Zymol makes a good product called "HD CLEANSE" that I've found to be very good on chrome. It is a stickly clay-like polish that is not abrasive. It is a very good pre-wax cleaner and a good chrome polish as well.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260

[n/a]

I have used about 40-50 chrome and brass cleaning products, and the absolute best I have come across is WENOL products: Wenol Polish "Blue" for maximum cleaning, then Auto Wenol Polish "Red" for the highest finish gloss. They are extremely well made german products.