The full protection & restyling package — Full body "Stealth" PPF, Prime XR Plus window tint, matte ppf ceramic coating, chrome delete & grille swap, wheel powder coating and brake caliper painting. – is one of the most comprehensive treatments we offer at AZ Auto Aesthetics. When a 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-53 AMG came in wanting full protection and personalization, it was a chance to show exactly why the order of operations matters and what a properly executed full-build looks like on a performance SUV.
About the GLE-53 AMG
The GLE-53 AMG is Mercedes-AMG's performance version of the mid-size GLE SUV — a 3.0L inline-six with EQ Boost mild hybrid, pushing 429 horsepower, with AMG-specific bodywork, bigger brakes, and a sport-tuned air suspension. It's a vehicle that blends daily-driver practicality with genuine performance credentials. For a vehicle at this price point and spec level, protecting it properly from day one is the only sensible approach.
Step 1 — Paint Decon. & Body Prep.
Even on a new or nearly-new vehicle, paint correction is often the right starting point. Factory paint quality varies, and dealer prep — lot washes, hasty detailing before delivery — can introduce swirl marks before the first owner ever touches it. This GLE-53 came in with light swirling and a few isolated defects that needed to be addressed before any coating or film went on. This included a thorough decontamination wash through the use of soaps meant to pull out ferrous metallic particles, as well as organic matter and other forms of fallout – thus exfoliating the pores of the clear coat.
Clay bar, or synthetic clay mitts, are then used to knock down any stubborn contaminants that chemicals could not. This is an abrasive step, and not a corrective step .
Paint correction This step is non-negotiable before ceramic coating a gloss paint finish on any car. However, this Mercedes was going with a matte finish so this step was not necessary after the successful chemical and clay bar decon. Mirco marring and swirls are not seen though the PPF, as the film is about 4x thicker than the clear coat.
Step 2 — Disassembly & Film Pattern Modifications
When trying to sell the image of the subject vehicle being made as if it did come with a Magno (matte) paint finish – we must first remove certain things that get in the way of that. Badges, door handles, window trim, mirrors, lights and certain other body trim elements are removed to ensure the next part of this step can achieve full color coverage (and protection). With the body panels exposed edge to edge as we would want them, XPEL's D.A.P. program allow us to modify aspects of the panels to our own specific alterations. When this can become time consuming or difficult even with good software, our installers are also well versed in "bulk" or custom hand cut pattern making
Step 3 — Paint Protection Film
Ceramic coating protects against UV, chemical contamination, and makes cleaning easier — but it won't stop a rock chip. That's where PPF completes the stack. We installed XPEL's "Stealth" PPF on all of the once-was gloss black body panels. This transformed the GLE's finish into an authentic looking "Magno" paint finish. Without the added expense of the matte paint job itself, and then the same protection that should follow. XPEL Stealth can be applied to both satin and matte paint finishes with little to no change in the finish.
The Restyling Elements
- Chrome Delete
- Tinted windows with Prime XR plus
- Powder coated wheels to gloss black
- Painted brake calipers to Brembo red
Get the Full Package for Your Vehicle
AZ Auto Aesthetics performs paint correction, ceramic coating, and PPF installation for customers throughout Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale, and the greater Phoenix area. We'll assess your vehicle and recommend the right protection level for your use case and budget.
Request a free quote at wedetailaz.com/contact or call (480) 241-9324.
AZ Auto Aesthetics — 7613 E. Ray Rd. Suite #114, Mesa, AZ 85212
