metallic paint
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Peoria IL
2003 MB C230 coupe
metallic paint
alright people, i've been wondering this for a while but kept forgetting to ask. what's the deal with metallic paint. why does it cost so much. i've heard that the paint is stronger or treated differently or something to make it last longer. it can't just be the looks of it. thanks
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From: Sitting behind thing freakin desk of mine. Dreaming I was playing my Taylors, and driving my Benz. Long Live The VRAA!!!!!!
C230 Sports Coupe
to my knowledge, it actually has metallic flakes in the paint. Thats why its more $$ and why its hard to touch up.
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From: Gaithersburg, MD
2002 C240 6-spd (ret)
It seems that MB and BMW are some of the few manufacturers which charge extra for "regular" metallic paint colors. Some other makes charge extra only for special colors like diamond white and the like. I think it's an MBUSA thing, not the dealers specifically.
And yes, metallic colors do have metal flakes -- that's why they're metallic :p . Part of the difficulty in matching metallic paints (so I've been told) is that the paint takes longer to dry when done with "non-factory" techniques, and the metal flakes have more time to drop in the paint surface, giving a different appearance. From my experiences with clearcoat metallics though, a decent paint shop should be able to match the original finish pretty closely. I think this is because the actual paint (base coat) is very thin so there is less difference in where the metal flakes end up.
And yes, metallic colors do have metal flakes -- that's why they're metallic :p . Part of the difficulty in matching metallic paints (so I've been told) is that the paint takes longer to dry when done with "non-factory" techniques, and the metal flakes have more time to drop in the paint surface, giving a different appearance. From my experiences with clearcoat metallics though, a decent paint shop should be able to match the original finish pretty closely. I think this is because the actual paint (base coat) is very thin so there is less difference in where the metal flakes end up.
Last edited by MarkL; Oct 29, 2002 at 02:53 PM.
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From: Paradise Valley, AZ
2002 C320 Bril Slvr,NAV
I'm convinced that the price is a real ripoff. Metallic paint may cost a little
more but the painting process should cost the same. All MB paints have had
a clear coat for quite a few years so no additional cost should be involved
beyond the small additonal cost for the paint. It's true that it may cost more
to repair metallic paint since it is difficult to precisely match.
more but the painting process should cost the same. All MB paints have had
a clear coat for quite a few years so no additional cost should be involved
beyond the small additonal cost for the paint. It's true that it may cost more
to repair metallic paint since it is difficult to precisely match.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally posted by njoyaz
I'm convinced that the price is a real ripoff. Metallic paint may cost a little
more but the painting process should cost the same. All MB paints have had
a clear coat for quite a few years so no additional cost should be involved
beyond the small additonal cost for the paint. It's true that it may cost more
to repair metallic paint since it is difficult to precisely match.
I'm convinced that the price is a real ripoff. Metallic paint may cost a little
more but the painting process should cost the same. All MB paints have had
a clear coat for quite a few years so no additional cost should be involved
beyond the small additonal cost for the paint. It's true that it may cost more
to repair metallic paint since it is difficult to precisely match.
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After doing an internet search on clear coat paint and reading several article, our cars have exactly three coats of paint. They are a primer/sealer coat, a color coat (metallic or non-metallic) and a clear coat. The clear coat is 0.0002" or less in thickness. The color coat is even thinner. A few high end cars with "pearl" or "mica" paint have four coats, with the pearl or mica coat between the base and clear coats.
The fee charged by MB and other (mostly European) manufacturers for metallic paint is pure profit.
The fee charged by MB and other (mostly European) manufacturers for metallic paint is pure profit.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 470
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From: Sydney, Australia
01 C200 Kompressor, 02 C32 AMG
How much you guys in US have to pay extra for metallic paint?, here in Australia we have to pay about AU$2500 or about US$1400 
. And get this... Australian W203 are made in South Africa and local South African only paying less than US$200 to get metallic paint for their W203. 
. I tell ya MB Australian are rip off artists!! 
. And get this... Australian W203 are made in South Africa and local South African only paying less than US$200 to get metallic paint for their W203. . I tell ya MB Australian are rip off artists!!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 476
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From: Vancouver, BC
2017 GLA 250 4Matic
Truelove:
You're going to like the Capri Blue. It's a beautiful color. In daylight it looks blue/purple/navy.
In places without light, it'll look just like black!
I've got pics of mine posted at Csportcoupe.com
You're going to like the Capri Blue. It's a beautiful color. In daylight it looks blue/purple/navy.
In places without light, it'll look just like black!
I've got pics of mine posted at Csportcoupe.com
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,750
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From: Peoria IL
2003 MB C230 coupe
Sheesh, you've shown me pictures of your car before in another post. looks awesome. can't wait to see what it looks like with oyster leather and the new bi-xenons. i'll post pictures in a month.
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally posted by Lynn
After doing an internet search on clear coat paint and reading several article, our cars have exactly three coats of paint. They are a primer/sealer coat, a color coat (metallic or non-metallic) and a clear coat. The clear coat is 0.0002" or less in thickness. The color coat is even thinner. A few high end cars with "pearl" or "mica" paint have four coats, with the pearl or mica coat between the base and clear coats.
The fee charged by MB and other (mostly European) manufacturers for metallic paint is pure profit.
After doing an internet search on clear coat paint and reading several article, our cars have exactly three coats of paint. They are a primer/sealer coat, a color coat (metallic or non-metallic) and a clear coat. The clear coat is 0.0002" or less in thickness. The color coat is even thinner. A few high end cars with "pearl" or "mica" paint have four coats, with the pearl or mica coat between the base and clear coats.
The fee charged by MB and other (mostly European) manufacturers for metallic paint is pure profit.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,744
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Originally posted by bajaiman
How much you guys in US have to pay extra for metallic paint?, here in Australia we have to pay about AU$2500 or about US$1400 . And get this... Australian W203 are made in South Africa and local South African only paying less than US$200 to get metallic paint for their W203. . I tell ya MB Australian are rip off artists!!
How much you guys in US have to pay extra for metallic paint?, here in Australia we have to pay about AU$2500 or about US$1400
. And get this... Australian W203 are made in South Africa and local South African only paying less than US$200 to get metallic paint for their W203. . I tell ya MB Australian are rip off artists!!
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From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Re: metallic paint
Originally posted by truelove79
i've heard that the paint is stronger or treated differently or something to make it last longer.
i've heard that the paint is stronger or treated differently or something to make it last longer.
Saw a Capri Blue coupe today - good choice!
Cheers, BT
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 206
Likes: 1
From: Burbank
C230K
Re: Re: metallic paint
Originally posted by trench
You'll find that the paint on new MBs isn't very strong due to new enviormental laws passed in Germany. The paint is water based and chips pretty easily - especially in the nose area.
Saw a Capri Blue coupe today - good choice!
Cheers, BT
You'll find that the paint on new MBs isn't very strong due to new enviormental laws passed in Germany. The paint is water based and chips pretty easily - especially in the nose area.
Saw a Capri Blue coupe today - good choice!
Cheers, BT
Boy does that bring out the micro chips in the nose area!
Yikes, turn that light off ;-)
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 397
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From: Toronto, Ontario Canada
2002 C240 Classic - Orion Blue Beast!!
Metallic paint no longer has metal flakes in it. This practice was stopped a while ago. Manufactures now use a different process to give the metallic look.
When you buy metallic paint, all you are getting is a different look. There is no added longevity or durability.
And yes, metallics are much harder to colour match.
MB charges more $$$ because it's more popular.
When you buy metallic paint, all you are getting is a different look. There is no added longevity or durability.
And yes, metallics are much harder to colour match.
MB charges more $$$ because it's more popular.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 784
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From: Brisbane/Sydney, Australia
Originally posted by truelove79
oh great, hard to touch up. oh well, i didn't get it for any other reason than i wanted that color, ploy or not.
oh great, hard to touch up. oh well, i didn't get it for any other reason than i wanted that color, ploy or not.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,737
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From: San Diego, Ca
2003 Citron Green C230KMT
Originally posted by MarkL
It seems that MB and BMW are some of the few manufacturers which charge extra for "regular" metallic paint colors. Some other makes charge extra only for special colors like diamond white and the like. I think it's an MBUSA thing, not the dealers specifically.
And yes, metallic colors do have metal flakes -- that's why they're metallic :p . Part of the difficulty in matching metallic paints (so I've been told) is that the paint takes longer to dry when done with "non-factory" techniques, and the metal flakes have more time to drop in the paint surface, giving a different appearance. From my experiences with clearcoat metallics though, a decent paint shop should be able to match the original finish pretty closely. I think this is because the actual paint (base coat) is very thin so there is less difference in where the metal flakes end up.
It seems that MB and BMW are some of the few manufacturers which charge extra for "regular" metallic paint colors. Some other makes charge extra only for special colors like diamond white and the like. I think it's an MBUSA thing, not the dealers specifically.
And yes, metallic colors do have metal flakes -- that's why they're metallic :p . Part of the difficulty in matching metallic paints (so I've been told) is that the paint takes longer to dry when done with "non-factory" techniques, and the metal flakes have more time to drop in the paint surface, giving a different appearance. From my experiences with clearcoat metallics though, a decent paint shop should be able to match the original finish pretty closely. I think this is because the actual paint (base coat) is very thin so there is less difference in where the metal flakes end up.
