Hello everyone. I just bought a 2004 W211 wagon. Silver (actually sort of a champagne?) exterior and very light cream (close to parchment?) perforated leather interior. I’m sorry, I haven’t learned the official names for these colors.
EDIT I checked the VIN options list and the exterior is “CUBANITE SILVER - METALIC” and the interior is “AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE - BEIGE”.
It is low mileage, under 30,000 miles, so the condition overall is very good. However, in cleaning and detailing it I am running into a few issues on which I would appreciate some advice.
First, how do I keep the lower fabric trim surrounding the door openings clean? The grubby parts were at the doorsills, where shoes must have occasionally been dragged over the trim. Cleaning has taken a lot of work with a brush, Woolite, and a vacuum. I think a couple more sessions will have things ship-shape. How can I then keep it looking as-new? Scotchguard? Some sort of clear vinyl?
Second, can I treat the carpet with anything to help it shed dirt and stains in the future? The carpet is very light in color, of course. I will reinstall the floormats and over them will go beige Weatherguard-type rubber mats, but there will still be some exposed carpet. I’m thinking, again, of something like Scotchguard? I live in the Pacific Northwest, so two thirds of the year it is raining and sloppy.
Third, can I use sheepskin seat covers to protect the upholstery? The seats are still pretty much perfect - fortunately the previous owner was an elderly lady who weighed barely 100 lb, didn’t wear dark jeans, etc, so the cushion bolsters and so on have no discernible wear or staining. The seats are “Dynamic” - both heated and cooled - and I’m not sure if covers will interfere with those functions. If covers are not advisable, how would you treat the leather? I normally use either Lexol or Griot’s leather conditioner.
Thank you. My other cars (W124, E28, 911) are from the 1980/90s and have more utilitarian and, it seems, robust interiors. This car feels like it will be harder to keep clean. It will be my wife’s car, so I have limited ability to dictate great care.
EDIT I checked the VIN options list and the exterior is “CUBANITE SILVER - METALIC” and the interior is “AMARETTA/LEATHER/NAPPA/SEMI-ANILINE - BEIGE”.
It is low mileage, under 30,000 miles, so the condition overall is very good. However, in cleaning and detailing it I am running into a few issues on which I would appreciate some advice.
First, how do I keep the lower fabric trim surrounding the door openings clean? The grubby parts were at the doorsills, where shoes must have occasionally been dragged over the trim. Cleaning has taken a lot of work with a brush, Woolite, and a vacuum. I think a couple more sessions will have things ship-shape. How can I then keep it looking as-new? Scotchguard? Some sort of clear vinyl?
Second, can I treat the carpet with anything to help it shed dirt and stains in the future? The carpet is very light in color, of course. I will reinstall the floormats and over them will go beige Weatherguard-type rubber mats, but there will still be some exposed carpet. I’m thinking, again, of something like Scotchguard? I live in the Pacific Northwest, so two thirds of the year it is raining and sloppy.
Third, can I use sheepskin seat covers to protect the upholstery? The seats are still pretty much perfect - fortunately the previous owner was an elderly lady who weighed barely 100 lb, didn’t wear dark jeans, etc, so the cushion bolsters and so on have no discernible wear or staining. The seats are “Dynamic” - both heated and cooled - and I’m not sure if covers will interfere with those functions. If covers are not advisable, how would you treat the leather? I normally use either Lexol or Griot’s leather conditioner.
Thank you. My other cars (W124, E28, 911) are from the 1980/90s and have more utilitarian and, it seems, robust interiors. This car feels like it will be harder to keep clean. It will be my wife’s car, so I have limited ability to dictate great care.
