Mercedes clear coat

Alive 55

Alive 55

New member
Hello DC, first time caller, long time listener.
Although I love to detail, I've never been able to master the art of removing "swirls". Now, I am the proud new owner of an MB S55 and apparently I've opted for the swirl package. I've got some ideas, but I’m hoping that I can get some additional info on the tuffness of MB clear coat and the most gentle product for removal of said swirls w/a PC.

Please advise!
 
If th eswirls aren't that bad you could use Poorboy's SSR1 or Pinnacle Swirl Remover. Both will remove light swirls and are not too abrasive. What color is the car and is it brand new? I also would suggest a good clay session. :)
 
MB clear coat

It's a white 2002. I have clayed, AIO and PCW. Paint is slick and somewhat shiny. If at all possible I'd like to attack it w/either 3M or Meguiar's products for the swirls(available locally). Again, I will be using a PC.
 
I recently had the same issues with a black 2000 E430. Mercedes clear is some pretty tough stuff to work with, but it can be done. Here's what I would do, keeping in mind you want local products.

I would start off with 3M PI III RC (05933) - cutting pad. Take your time, this is the swirl removing step and it can take a few passes sometimes

Next, 3M PI III MG (05937) - polishing pad. If you REALLY want a smooth finish, you can do this step twice, using a finishing pad for the second pass.

After this, you can go right on top with your AIO + PCW
 
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3M has a swirl remover for light colors that I've used in the past that works great! I use a cutting pad during this stage
 
Beemerboy,

Did you find that the 3M SMR actually "removed" the swirls or just filled them in for a while? I have some 3m smr, and I've never used it because after i bought it, i heard that it was just a filler.
 
Alive 55

Your S55 has a clear coat on it call nano clear made by PPG Only two products that I am aware of that works very well on that clear coat that is [MEGUIARS LINE DUAL ACTION CLEANER POLISH AND CERIOUS COMPOUND fr/ AUTOMOTIVE INTERNATIONAL]

My weapon of attack would beas follows:

A good handwash [NO WASH AND WAX SOAP] again clean the vehicle with a 50/50 solution of alcohol and water to ensure a clean paint.

Apply DACP w/Meg Pad w8006 speed @ 5 to a small section 1x1 area [CLEAN AREA W- 50/50 SOLUTION] to see if product is working properly. If so continue with the cleaning doing half a hood make sure you give enough time for product to work properly.

After cleaning the vehicle with DACP follow up with Megs SFP @ 5 with another 8006 You will start to see the TRUE luster of the vehicles color come and follow up with NXT 2 coats waiting 30 minutes in between each coat. Hope this help GOOD LUCK !!!!
 
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NEW AGAIN said:
Alive 55

Your S55 has a clear coat on it call nano clear made by PPG Only two products that I am aware of that works very well on that clear coat that is [MEGUIARS LINE DUAL ACTION CLEANER POLISH AND CERIOUS COMPOUND fr/ AUTOMOTIVE INTERNATIONAL]

My weapon of attack would beas follows:

A good handwash [NO WASH AND WAX SOAP] again clean the vehicle with a 50/50 solution of alcohol and water to ensure a clean paint.

Apply DACP w/Meg Pad w8006 speed @ 5 to a small section 1x1 area [CLEAN AREA W- 50/50 SOLUTION] to see if product is working properly. If so continue with the cleaning doing half a hood make sure you give enough time for product to work properly.

After cleaning the vehicle with DACP follow up with Megs SFP @ 5 with another 8006 You will start to see the TRUE luster of the vehicles color come and follow up with NXT 2 coats waiting 30 minutes in between each coat. Hope this help GOOD LUCK !!!!
Click to expand...

Nano clear coats where only on 2003+ cars not 2002. He should have a regular clear coat
 
That's not correct the clear coat was tested on several models that started back in 2000 ALIVE55 is a S-Class also on some Chrysler and BMW
 
OK,
Knowing now that my expertise in paint restoration consist of what I’ve been told in the last 24 hours, I am a bit concerned when it comes to abrasives. So, here is what I did (trunk lid only). Cleaned area w/P21S Auto Wash, SFP x2, FG x2 and PS. A lot of work, but swirls seem to be gone. However, now that I’m looking at my paint so closely, I’ve noticed some scratches. Some I can even feel w/my nail.
All that being said, I now realize that I will have to use DACP or the 3M 05933 for future gains. I’m just having trouble coming to terms w/polishing my car w/a product that’s that abrasive.
Also, the guy at the Meguiar’s store sold me a bottle of the NXT spray wax. Is this anything like the Tech Wax? Should I use this? And, if so, when?


Thank you.
 
Sorry,
I forgot a step. Cleaned area w/P21S Auto Wash, SFP x2, AIO, FG x2 and PS. Again, it seem to do the job on the swirls. Any thoughts?
 
I'm glad to hear that you succesfully removed the swirls. As far as the scratch, if you can feel it with your fingernail, that's a pretty deep scratch. You have one of two options: 1) leave it alone and be happy with the excellent work you have done, or 2) Fill it in with touch up paint. This is about all you can do, trying to polish it out "could" result in damaging the paint. Besides, if you're the only one that can see it, I'd leave it be.

Don't be afraid to use the "abrasives" we are mentioning to you. To be honest, these so called abrasives aren't all that strong. We wouldn't recommend anything to you that could damage your paint, nor would any of us risk damaging our own! You have the correct tools, that's the most important part. Just make sure to have the correct follow up polishes to bring back the deep gloss in your paint.
 
By the way, I must be having a brain fart of some kind but I can't remember what the acronyms you are using stand for. What is SFP and FG?
 
Sorry,
I seem to be making up my own acronyms. I cleaned the area to be treated, #82 x2, AIO, Machine Glaze x2, then PS. This morning I put a coat of the NXT spray wax on the area, even though I have no idea what the product is for. Looks pretty good though.
Thanks for the advise Jason. I am the kind of person who will screw around w/something til its broke!
 
If you have a "NANO" clearcoat or 'Ceramiclear" you best bet is to go with Menzerna. After all, that's what MB uses anyway!

The two use for Nano type finishes are:

PO85RD

PO106

On a scale of 1 to 5 and 5 being the highest,

PO85RD cuts at 1.5 and gloss is 5.0 and will remove 3000 grit sanding marks.

PO106 cuts at 2.5 and gloss is 5.0 and will remove 2,500 grit sanding marks.

These are to be used by a rotary.

Regards,
Deanski
 
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NEW AGAIN said:
That's not correct the clear coat was tested on several models that started back in 2000 ALIVE55 is a S-Class also on some Chrysler and BMW
Click to expand...

Thats correct but it wasnt official until 2003 where the E,S and SL class's recieved the nano clear coat. The c55 and slk55 and clk55 now have the nano clear as well. He cant be sure until he tries to buff nano vs clear will show.

The nano clear's are really nice but I think kind of annoying when they eventually do get swirls on them.
 
It sure sounds to me that a rotary only( might as well use Menzerna) can be used to correct the slightest flaw in these finishes. Agh :mad:
 
Leave well enough alone?

NEW AGAIN & Fr0zen,
I don’t know what type of clear it is, but I can tell you this; 2 coats of 3M Perfect-It III RC w/Meg’s polishing pad on PC at 5 then 6 until product disappears, followed by 2 coats of # 82 same pad type and speed and…NOTHING! Well, the car is as shiny as a new penny, but all the swirls and scratches remain, although difficult to notice being that the car is white. Does this mean NANO? If so, would it make a difference if I used my cutting pad w/ the 3M? Chainsaw w/ 3M?
 
Aloha Alive 55, congrats on the new car and your enthusiasm for getting it done right. I'm guessing your PC is a random orbital? You can't get most scratches out with this machine , mostly swirl marks and somw water spots . You need a rotary to do this . Being that you just started getting into detailing , I'd suggest using some aggresive polish w/cutting pad and cranking the up the PC. If you can live with the scratch for awhile , leave it . Once you get comfotable with the PC then think about getting a rotary ..P.S. I think the longevity of spray wax is very short . check our sponsors for some decent protection for that ride.
 
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