Does a 2000 Merc ML320 have Ceramiclear paint?

A

Alfisti

Active member
This paints nearly impossible!!!!!!!! The ONLY way I can get any corrections on this paint is to use my PC with an orange 4" cutting pad on 6, applying 1Z Extra (sand in a can)! The paint is so hard that the 1Z Extra leaves a nice marr free finish. The gloss is good...just a tad dull on this colour. I've been able to get a bit more gloss out of it by using #83 with a Makita BO6040 on forced rotation with a white SFX pad. It made the paint quite warm but worked well. But its taking forever with a 4" pad! :cry:



Here's the nasty beast:



wedding_004.jpg




Here's the nasty finish:



wedding_020.jpg




My question is whether it has Ceramiclear paint. I thought Ceramiclear was introduced later than 2000. WHY IS THIS PAINT SO HARD? :hairpull
 
Your correct, ceramiclear was only introduced recently (i beleive 2005 was the first year it came out actually).



Welcome to the world of european paint. With a PC its nearly impossible to get defects out. I had to resort to polishing one panel every night of my mom's beetle for a week and a half to get her car done. Each panel took between and hour to two hours to complete. Switch to a rotary!
 
Damn! Have you tried Menzerna PO85RD or PO106FF? They're specifically for Ceramiclear paint.



You should mention this to Mike Phillips as he says that current Meg's products will work for Ceramiclear paint.



I agree with Neothin. Reach for the rotary. :D
 
Unfortunately I don't have a rotary, but I do have the Mak, which can do rotary like corrections.



Looks like I'll have to use that.
 
GSRstilez said:
No it does not.





Look in the door jam; you will see a "C" after the paint code if it is Ceramiclear.
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Beat me to it!



I do know a customer's '04 S500 has the CeramiClear paint. I had good but somewhat dusty results using DP's Super Swirl Eliminator and a burgandy Meguiars cutting pad followed by Optimum Polish and a yellow Meguiars polishing pad.
 
Thanks for the tip Sean. I have a Used car dealer that I do alot of work for and deals in all high end cars (mostly Mercedes) I will look for the C on the paint code on the next 2005 I do. Is this just european paint or does this also go for the Asian cars makers too like Lexus and Infinity.
 
throttlethumb said:
Thanks for the tip Sean. I have a Used car dealer that I do alot of work for and deals in all high end cars (mostly Mercedes) I will look for the C on the paint code on the next 2005 I do. Is this just european paint or does this also go for the Asian cars makers too like Lexus and Infinity.
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It is a PPG paint. Spies-Hecker paint is also similarly hard.



The 'C' paint code applies to Mercedes only.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys.



Those MOL links were very interesting. :up



The only thing that confused me was that Mike says Ceramiclear is easy to polish (meaning relatively soft) whereas the PPG link he offered spoke about it being very tough. :nixweiss
 
Alfisti said:
Unfortunately I don't have a rotary, but I do have the Mak, which can do rotary like corrections.



Looks like I'll have to use that.
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makita makes garbage buffers and polishers. i've tried both of their buffers and returned them. i can see why you're having such a difficult time, you will not get scratches out with a porter cable. the dewalt DW849 circular buffer is on sale for $174.95 w/bag and gloves at properautocare.com..... wise investment.
 
hood rich said:
makita makes garbage buffers and polishers. i've tried both of their buffers and returned them. i can see why you're having such a difficult time, you will not get scratches out with a porter cable. the dewalt DW849 circular buffer is on sale for $174.95 w/bag and gloves at properautocare.com..... wise investment.
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Why do you believe a PC will not get the scratches out and the Makita is junk? :confused:
 
hood rich said:
makita makes garbage buffers and polishers. i've tried both of their buffers and returned them. i can see why you're having such a difficult time, you will not get scratches out with a porter cable. the dewalt DW849 circular buffer is on sale for $174.95 w/bag and gloves at properautocare.com..... wise investment.
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I haven't had a lot of experience with Makita, but I haven't heard anything bad . The Mak BO6040 worked beautifully. :bigups



It really does rotary-like corrections with RO safety. Random Orbit with Forced Rotation should be standard on all polishes.



I have to also recommend the PC/4" pad combo...great spot repairing tool.



Finally, I'm so impressed with 1Z Extra (all 1Z polishes and products, for that matter). I've been reluctant to use it due its incredible aggressiveness. Feeling it between your fingers feels like sand in lotion. But boy does it break down nicely, leaving a really decent finish! I've had three cans aside for some time but haven't used it much - except on solid white paints. Now I'll be using it on any hard clear knowing it'll leave an excellent finish if applied with a rotary, BO6040 or PC/4" pad combo. :clap:



(If applied with a PC it will leave a dull finish requiring follow-up polishing, but will still break down nicely)
 
doged said:
Why do you believe a PC will not get the scratches out and the Makita is junk? :confused:
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the porter cable cannot heat up the clear coat enough to properly level it out the get the scratch out, i've tried many times and it was too much work. i love my porter cable for polishing, but when it comes to getting scratches out.... it just doesn't do good enough.



and i don't like the makita for a number of reasons:

1)quality... much cheaper quality than the dewalt

2)underpowered and takes too long to get up to desired rpm

3)the speed adjustment dial



it's all personal preference... but i returned the makita with 24 hours because i hated it so much. you can't argue that the dewalt is a better quality unit.
 
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