We’ve chronicled countless auctions over the years, giving us a front-row seat to some of the rarest and most significant motorcycles in the world going under the hammer. We revisit some of our favorites.There’s a unique electricity in the air at a high-end motorcycle auction. It’s a mix of history,...
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Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Monday, 29 September 2025
Eyes on the Line: A Rookie's Crack at Bonneville Glory
It’s 85 degrees out here in the California desert – not bad for 7:30 am in June. I’m standing amongst about 25 other folks, drinking some coffee and holding my camera. All is usual except for one thing: my stomach is turning inside out, and it isn’t because of the roach coach black coffee. I’m watch...
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Sunday, 28 September 2025
Speed Read: New Race Bikes from Ducati and Triumph
This week's Speed Read selection lives up to its name, with new high-octane race bikes from Ducati and Triumph. The Italian firm has just released the 2026 Ducati Panigale V4 R superbike, while the British company has pulled the wraps off the 2026 Triumph TF 450-X. Ladies and gentlemen, pick your po...
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Saturday, 27 September 2025
Record Setter: How to Build the World's Fastest Indian Bagger
58 years after Burt Munro's iconic land speed record, Indian Motorcycle returned to the Bonneville Salt Flats with an Indian Challenger plucked from their King of the Baggers stable. Here's how they did it.Indian Motorcycle’s racing roots run deep. From Ed ‘Iron Man’ Kretz’s 1937 Daytona 200 win and...
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Friday, 26 September 2025
From Eurorack to Tire Attack: A KTM RC8 Streetfighter from a Synth Designer
Based in Riga, Latvia, Ģirts Ozoliņš is the founder of Erica Synths and a total motorcycle fanatic. This is his custom-built KTM RC8 streetfighter.In the late 80s, sportbike riders with crashed bikes and empty wallets ditched broken plastics and ran their machines without fairings. The streetfighter...
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Thursday, 25 September 2025
The new Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition will be produced in only 50 units
Mercedes-Benz has always been associated with taking luxury to a whole new level, and the newest and most advanced product is no different. The Mercedes-Maybach S 680 V12 Edition is an ultra-haute style, laboriously created tribute to the legendary V12 engine with which the Maybach Zeppelin of 1928 propelled itself. The limited edition is as rare as it is lavish, with only 50 units ever produced.
Table of Contents
Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition: Back to the Top of a Legendary Engine
Maybach has a rich history as far as automotive engineering is concerned. In 1928, a V12 engine was also contained in the Maybach Zeppelin, which was one of the first vehicles to achieve mass production and has been a symbol of power and luxury throughout the years. The new V12 Edition carries on the tradition with a fantastic 6.0-liter V12 with 612 hp and 900 Nm of torque. Wow, it’s an impressive power! 🙂
This beast can achieve a top speed of 250 km/h with electronic control and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, which is an undeniable addition to its performance heritage. I am sure that the feeling in the interior is like in “business class” when you’re flying for business meetings.
Striking Exterior Design
The V12 Edition exterior is a visual festivity of color and craftsmanship. The Manufaktur customizing department came up with a two-tone paint, which is hand-selected and which makes this sedan stand out immediately. It is covered with metallic olive green on the top of the roof and deep obsidian black on the lower portion of the body. An eye-catcher is made with a metallic silver center stripe that cuts across the two colors and provides the outline of the car. Even the 5-spoke forged wheels have the olive finish, which supports the integrated look.
The C-pillar is topped with a unique badge of Maybach: a gold and chrome pendant with the inscription 12. The 24-carat gold medallion ring has a diamond cutting that is divided into twelve segments, a mild reference to the V12 heritage and a testament to a luxurious taste.
Luxurious Interior Details
The exclusivity goes on inside. The interior is adorned with a brown diamond-quilted headliner, walnut-wood trim, and Manufaktur brown Nappa leather – classy materials. An exclusive badge that has the number 1 of 50 is the emblem stitched on the front center console as a constant reminder of the rarity of the vehicle. The center console at the back has a gold insert, which is a repetition of the metallic accents in the exterior.
Every component is meant to create a cozy environment, even down to the sitting surface and preference of materials. The cabin ambient lighting system is employed to complement the ambience in the cabin, and it can be adjusted to suit every mood or occasion.
Exclusive Owner’s Package
Mercedes-Benz does not limit the luxury experience just to the car. The V12 Edition owners would get a package of customized products that would enhance their daily experiences. It comes with a set of champagne glasses, made of silver by the famous Robbe and Berking- ideal to celebrate something. The luggage is provided with a trunk mat that has brown edges and provides protection as well as style. The Manufaktur department provides a dedicated key box and an edition-specific key ring so that the individual identity of the car is guaranteed even to the accessories.
These details support the message that the V12 Edition is not only a car but also a statement of life.
Limited Availability
The best thing about the V12 Edition is that it is rare. Mercedes-Benz has also limited itself to only 50 vehicles in the world, each vehicle is a collector product. The exclusivity is also further emphasized in the “1 of 50” symbol of the model, which customizes the identity of each vehicle. Customers are not simply buying a car but a slice of automobile history that will not be owned by many.
Conclusion
The Maybach S 680 V12 Edition of Mercedes-Benz is an ideal embodiment of the art of luxury, which integrates the outstanding historicism with the state-of-the-art performance. Taking into account that the Maybach Zeppelin of 1928 was the first car that was fitted with a V12 engine, the way the car was styled, which had a two-tone look, rich interior, and special accessories, was carefully designed to suit a very critical client.
Having been manufactured in a very small number of fifty cars, the V12 Edition is a testament to the exclusivity of Maybach, the engineering mastermind of Maybach, and the perennial prestige of Maybach.
To people who require the most of automotive opulence, the Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition is not a car, it is a living heritage.
Mercedes-Maybach V12 Edition – Photo Gallery
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How to Repair Peeling Auto Paint: A Complete Guide
There is little that makes a car look older than peeling paint. What may start out as a small flaky clear coat patch can be expanded until one ends up with dull chalky surfaces that would not be fixed by washing or waxing. It is not only that peeling auto paint would look bad, but it would leave your car in the elements and subject your automobile to the possibility of rust and other damage.
And the positive thing is that it is the kind of project you can do at home, with preparation and patience, to repair peeling auto paint. This guide will explain why you should apply auto paint peels, what kind of tools should be used, how the repair should be done step-by-step, and some tips that should be applied so that they do not peel in the future. When you are overwhelmed with the job, you can still approach a good auto repair shop and leave your vehicle in their hands.
Table of Contents
Why Auto Paint Peels
The automotive paint is applied with layers: a primer, a base coat (a color), and a clear coat that covers the finish. The process of peeling normally occurs when the bond between these layers is broken. The most common ones could be prolonged exposure to the sun, low-quality painting work, rock chips or scratches, which undermine the surface and environmental conditions, such as salt or acid rain.
When not treated, peeling is like an eggshell that has been cracked. Water will creep under the clear coat, pushing it off the base coat and ultimately leaving bare metal. This is why it is essential to do the repair immediately, not only so that it will not be ugly but also in case it will be a long-term protection.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before starting, gather the following supplies:
- Safety gear: gloves, goggles, and a dust mask
- Sandpaper in multiple grits (320, 600, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000)
- Dual-action sander or sanding block
- Automotive masking tape and plastic sheeting
- Automotive primer (preferably self-etching)
- Base coat paint matched to your car’s factory code
- Clear coat spray (high-quality automotive clear coat)
- Tack cloth and microfiber towels
- Polishing compound and car wax
Having the right materials is crucial. Using low-quality paint or skipping a clear coat may result in peeling again within a year.
Step-by-Step Process to Repair Peeling Auto Paint
1. Inspect and Prepare the Area
Determine the peeling areas of color. Peeling is commonly initiated on flat surfaces such as the hood, roof, or trunk. Clean the site well to get rid of dirt and debris. After drying, tape and wrap up the panels around the area to prevent overspray.
2. Sand Away the Peeling Paint
Clean the damaged paint and clear coat using the 320-grit sandpaper or a sander with two actions. Sand a little farther out than the peeling line so that the edges can be feathered and give a smooth appearance. Keep on peeling till the edges disappear and the surface becomes smooth.
3. Smooth and Refine the Surface
Change to finer sandpaper (600 grit, then 1,000 grit) to polish the part sanded. This is necessary for the bonding of the new primer and paint. Wipe it with a tack cloth to get rid of dust.
4. Apply Primer
Apply two to three different layers of automotive primer on top of the sanded area. Dry out each coat following the instructions of the manufacturer. Once the primer has dried, wipe a little water on the sand using 1,500-grit sandpaper to form a smooth surface on the paint.
5. Apply the Base Coat
One should shake the touch-up paint thoroughly before spraying. Coat the piece of furniture with the base coat in thin, uniform layers, which should be allowed to dry before applying the second layer. Some light coats is superior to a heavy coat that will run or hang slack. Keep doing this until the area that has been repaired is the same color as the rest.
6. Apply Clear Coat
After the base coat evaporation, apply a clear coating to add back the luster and give the car UV protection. Similar to the base coat, do not use a coating that is thick but has several thin layers. Allow the clear coating to dry, which generally takes 24 hours or more, according to the product.
7. Wet Sand and Polish
Once the clear coat has dried, wipe the part being repaired off with very fine sandpaper (2,000 grit) moistened with water. This is done to eliminate insignificant flaws and blend the repair. Polish with a finishing compound to replace gloss. And last but not least, use car wax.
Preventing Auto Paint from Peeling Again
Proper maintenance will avoid shortening of your paintwork after repairing peeling paint. Regular washing and waxing coats a protective cover to UV rays and pollutants. To reduce sun damage, one must park in shade or use a car cover. The next good measure is to fix the rock chips or scratches as quickly as possible since they might prove to be the root cause of the peeling.
Do not use strong chemicals or cleaners on your car paint, as they may make the paint weak. When you are living in a sunny or coastal region, then a clay-like coating should be applied to protect in the long run. And in case you prefer that professionals should do the work, an auto repair shop would offer high-quality refinishing services with a warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of repairing it at home?
A DIY repair costs between 50-200 dollars, which is determined by the size of the area and even the material used. A professional repair would cost between 500 dollars and several thousand dollars, depending on the kind of spot repair to carry out, or a complete repaint.
Is it possible to spray clear paint on top of peeling paint?
No. Spraying clear over peeling areas will not rectify the problem. The peeling should be sanded and a proper priming and repainting of the area should be done before a clear coat is applied.
How long will the repair last?
When performed properly, a peeling paint repair can last five years or more. Exposure to harsh weather will be avoided through protecting your car using high-quality materials, and this will extend the results.
Is it possible to remove small spots of peeling without sanding the entire panel?
Yes! 🙂 Little localized damage may be restored without sanding the entire panel. However, make sure that you feather the edges and blend the new paint with the old paint to have a smooth finish.
What if my entire car is peeling paint?
When peeling is done in large areas of your car, then a complete professional repaint is usually worth the money. Smaller, localized areas can be better covered using DIY.
Final Thoughts
A well-conditioned car can be peeled and left to appear to be in bad condition, when it does not necessarily have to be that way. With a couple of basic tools, the right materials and right planning, you will be in a position to refinish your car and protect it against further degradation.
The trick is to clean off every part that is peeling, apply primer and base coating, and then apply a clear coating. With due time and patience, you will see a tremendous improvement in the appearance of your car, and you will save money as opposed to paying someone to fix it.
Any care you take after having your paint repaired by washing, in the form of waxes and shielding layers, will guarantee that you will be using your work for several years. In case you do not want to go the DIY path, going to a local auto repair shop would guarantee that the paint job of your car is done properly and that it lasts longer.
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