Hello everyone, my name is Jim Sloan. As well as being one of the original organizers of our new club and our acting Treasurer, I also have my own automobile detailing business called "The Auto Buff Detailing". I specialize in classics, exotics and other fine automobiles. I also enjoy showing my restored 1960 Chevrolet Corvette at various car shows each year. My wife Susan and I presently own a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 and a 1999 ML320.

With all the myths and legends on car care and products out there I will be writing a monthly column to help everyone understand how to properly care for their fine Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Hopefully you will find it both informative and interesting.

Well enough about me and on to my first topic:

PROPER WASHING.

Believe it or not one of the best things you can do for your car is to wash it frequently. It keeps things like sap, tar, bugs, salt and other contaminants from becoming ingrained into your car's finish. Also do not forget to use a high pressure spray using a hose nozzle to get into all the nooks and crannies of your wheel wells and under the front and rear bumpers.

Take care to dig all of the dirt out from the inside fender lips because this is where the moisture gets trapped. Moisture + Metal = RUST. The best thing to wash a car with is a nice big sponge, which holds a lot of suds, or if you prefer, a wash mitt. The best mitts are the ones made of sheepskin. They cost more but are well worth it. The main thing is to replace the sponge or mitt regularly, don't use it to death. Use a good quality automobile soap, NOT dish soap, Tide, gasoline or any homemade brew. You would not believe what I have heard of people using! And one of the best tips is to use the "Two Bucket" wash system. What this means is to use a large bucket with the car wash solution in it and to use ANOTHER bucket with just clean water in it. You then dip your sponge or mitt into the soapy bucket and wash the area in a FORWARD AND BACK motion (less scratching), then rinse the sponge or mitt into the clean water bucket and let the dirt drop to the bottom. Then go back to the soapy bucket and so on. This always ensures that you are using only clean soapy water and not grinding the dirt back into your car's finish. Always start at the top of a vehicle and move down, leaving the bottom sections and the wheels until last as they are the dirtiest parts. You then rinse the car off with a good flow of water, not a spray, as this leaves more water on the car. Follow up with a quick "shammy" dry (to avoid water spots) and you are done! An artificial chamois will really do the trick!

Now this might sound overly complicated on just how to wash a car, but believe me, the results over a period of time are really noticeable. Now just a quick word on those new "touchless" car washes. Yes, there are no brushes inside the building that scratch your car but the pole brush and bucket of dirty water that I see people using before you enter will more that do the number on your car's finish!! And if you do not use the brush, how clean will your car come out? I still belive that there is no safer, more effective method of washing one's car that to do it by hand.

Follow this advice on maybe a weekly basis and your Mercedes-Benz will always be looking fresh and ready for those great club drives! Stay tuned for next month's topic "DEEP CLEANING"

For any assistance on these topics, advice on car care, or just to say hello, feel free to give me a call at 658-3980 or on my cell phone at 213-9774 in Victoria.

Jim Sloan

THE AUTO BUFF DETAILING

Victoria, BC

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