Mercedes-Benz S-Class detailing in Houston

What we watch for

Paint and interior on the S-Class

Paint and exterior

Black dominates, with designo colors and, on the Maybach S, two-tone paint split along the body side. The long panels and soft-close doors show every swirl under garage lights and in afternoon sun.

Interior

Nappa or Exclusive Nappa with diamond quilting on many cars, rear executive seats on long versions, and the Maybach's reclining rear with a footrest and champagne flute holders. Every seam is brushed, not scrubbed.

Living in Houston

In Memorial and Sugar Land an S-Class is often a garaged car for meetings and events, and the black paint has to look right in daylight at the curb, not just at night.

• Hard clear coat: swirls take more cutting to remove, so correction is slower, but a corrected finish holds up well afterwards.
• Black and dark colors are common: they show swirls, water spots and pollen film first, and benefit most from a coating.
• Nappa or fine-grain leather: cleaned with a pH-balanced leather cleaner and a soft brush, then a non-greasy conditioner.
• Light-colored seats are popular: denim dye transfer and sunscreen stains are cleaned early, before they set in the heat.
• Lots of chrome: Houston hard water etches it, so it is dried fully, polished where needed and sealed.