tivoboy

We just picked up a W204. We had the W203 prior with some sort of nice deep blue paint job. I had previously waxed this car with some nice wax, and it really looks sharp.

Now, on the W204, coming out of the gates the paint FEELS a bit rough. Not smooth and buttery like the W203 does today after a nice wax job. I haven't waxed the W204 YET, but will.

We DIDN'T add any of the aftermarket clear coat, "guarantee that your paint job will look just like it does today" upsells that the dealer offered. Should we have?

What is a good FIRST WAX for these cars?

tmehanna

I would recommend claying than using a paint sealant like Wolfgang initially. I would also leave the claying part at least to a pro detailer if I weren't familiar with the process.

C300Sport

mine was truly smooth as a baby's butt after the first wash. Maybe yours just needs a freshing after a long transport.

Glyn M Ruck

New environmentally friendly paint tends to "orange peel" and not slump as smooth as older generation paints. If you must polish it or put a sealant on it only do this after a couple of months of sun exposure. Let it harden up properly.

Derspeed

Yes, as tmehanna said. Use clay bar on it, then seal and wax it. Most retail clay bar systems can be safely used by beginners. And if you're not a beginner, you're off to a better start. With very few exceptions, that sealant package sold by the dealership is basically an application of a product most people can get right from the distributor for around $20.00.

Krytech

^ +1

I have mine clayed and sealed and it was much smoother. I haven't waxed it yet, just used Zanio sealer. I'm bringing it to my guy at the end of April for a full detail and wax this time. I think I'll be using wax in the summer and sealer before winter this go around.

Claying is also good to pull out any contaminants that are in the clear coat. You'll still end up with a microscopic hole in it but at least your wax/sealer will get in there and protect it. I wish I would of clayed my last new car...

RLE

Having purchased a 2001 C320 new (Obsidian black) , you have my sympathy. The paint on those cars was so soft, just running a finger across it left a mark. Not to mention the never ending warranty repairs. Don't miss it one little bit.

But, that wasn't your question. The nano-particle clear coat on the W204s (and the last couple of years of the W203) is just about bomb-proof, scratch and scuff-wise. And my C300 is Barolo Red, not the common Silver, so any scuffs will be very visible. And when a mark appears, it's harder to buff out since the paint is so hard.

If your car's paint feels rough, it's not the paint but instead some contaminant or other. If it was delivered new this way, your dealer needs to run it through their new car prep process again, on his nickel.

akbro93704

I can get my car to "feel" smooth using wax, but the paint DOES seem to have a lot of orange peel, which does not allow me to achieve that
"glass-like" smooth and shiny appearance.
The paint does seem durable though.