Paintwork Advice

[ChrisC]

Bought a new 07 E220 CDI in silver. Within a matter of weeks a mystery chip appeared on the bonnet. Wondered what options I have to repair - part of the spec for the car was "paintguard" (I think that is the right term...)

Thanks again for your help.

 

[jberks]

Paintguard (IMO) is a pointless con on a laquered silver merc. It is supposed to protect against fading and the effects of UV, bird lime etc. None of these things in my experience have the slightest effect on our cars.
I'm sure it's of great value on a solid red car which do fade (as on their web site) but a metallic laquered silver one - nope.
The 211 does suffer from paint chips, mainly to the leading edge of the bonnet, the front air dam and for some reason, the top edge of the front wheelarches (or at least mine and my dads have an identical wheelarch chip!).
I just go round every couple of months with a touch up stick.
There are plastic covers you can have fitted and allegedly they're invisible to the naked eye but I just live with it.

 

[benzo]

Sorry ChrisC, don't mean to hijack your post but my problem is very similar to yours and better to have it all in one thread. I noticed this 'chip' (pic attached) on my car on Tuesday. It wasn't there before. It's located just in front of the passenger side rear wheel arch.

Don't know what my repair options, It's down to the metal and the edge is getting rust spots.

What are my repair options? Is it something that can be done under warranty?

It's an 04 E320 cdi.

Thanks

 

[jberks]

someone has trapped the rear seatbelt in the door I'm afraid (thats where it hits - hence lots of 211s have the same damage!). Not a warranty item though you could ask I suppose.

I'm surprised that people are surprised at the damage of these chips. This is perfectly normal wear and tear. A pain, but perfectly normal.
You have 3 choices -
1) Just clean it up and blob some proper MB touch up on - cheap, easy and if done carefully - perfectly good. My option of choice.
2) Chips away - I've never been too impressed with their colour match over time - looks good initially but ages differently to the rest of the paintwork so very obvious after 2 years or so.
3) Spray - most effective and most expensive. Also, invalidates the MB anti corrosion warranty on that panel. Can't see the point for a minor chip.

If rust has taken hold then 3 is a better long term option so it can be taken right back and treated properly. Depends on budget and how long you intend keeping it.

 

[ChrisC]

Guys - thanks for your excellent responses. Looks like a common problem and as such I better get used to applying the "touch-up" paint. I take it the best person to speak to would be a MB dealer? Any advice / tips - as I don't really trust myself with this sort of thing.... especially on a 6 week old car.....

Thanks again

Chris

 

[benzo]

someone has trapped the rear seatbelt in the door I'm afraid (thats where it hits - hence lots of 211s have the same damage!). Not a warranty item though you could ask I suppose.

Thanks Jberks,

Don't think it's the rear seat belt. That side is where my child's car seat is so no one uses that seatbelt as it straps the car seat in.

I'll take a closer look and see if it's worth ordering a touch up stick. If I respray might as well do the bonnet as I have some stone chips on it. Where would I need to take it so as not to lose the bodywork warranty?

I intend keeping the car at least 4 more years -till around the time I can get another <2 year old new model E class (well that's the plan anyway...).

 

[psmart]

A fourth option to JBerks good list, one which Ive always used, is to clean it thoroughly and dab a bit of vaseline on it. Ive never had chips re-done, always used this method, but I did notice that when the car went in for its new door, the paint shop went round every chip and touched them up, in my opinion they now look worse!!!

I notice the A-Class has got plastic 'cellophane' on the rear wheel arches presumably because they've had a lot of issues with chips to this section.

 

[padtwo]

Guys - thanks for your excellent responses. Looks like a common problem and as such I better get used to applying the "touch-up" paint. I take it the best person to speak to would be a MB dealer? Any advice / tips - as I don't really trust myself with this sort of thing.... especially on a 6 week old car.....

Thanks again

Chris

Unless it's a REALLY big chip (size of a fingernail lol), don't use the brush supplied. I've got a couple of small/tiny modelling brushes, or I use a cocktail stick and just dab the paint in. You don't need a lot. Also with the laquer, I don't know if it was too cold but when I tried it the first time it was VERY stringy, ie difficult to get the brush off the surface without leaving trails of lacquer. If you are happy with the finish the paint leaves then great, but if you feel the need to use the lacquer, experiment with it on a different surface first (not the car lol!!!) Good luck

 

[grpar]

Use MB's touch-up ... don't be tempted by Halfords

"ChrisC", your local MB dealer will sell you the touch-up paint for a modest price (around a tenner if I recall) .... please please don't use Halfords cheaper so-called matching service ... they seem to match 5 shades darker.

Unless the chip is truly enormous, then touch-up paint will be fine, but makes sure you apply it sparingly and in 2-3 layers for best effect. If done properly, you can stand a metre back and only you would know where the chip was.

 

[television]

The best trick to get a perfect match is to wipe the last coat with your finger while wet and it will bring the metallic to life, leave it to dry lightly T cut, it will wipe off like butter, thats the way the pro's do it

 

[ChrisC]

Thanks

Guys - thanks for your help - will give this a go - the chip is reasonably small. Will try to apply a little at a time... the t-cut / butter thing is probably a bit beyond me!!!!!

Cheers

Chris