gegori

I have a 2008 C Class in Steel Grey. Love the car but I think that the paint quality sucks. It chips so easily. My 99 Honda was never like this. Are you guys and gals have similar issues?

Any suggestions on how to fix it correctly so that it does not look like crap?

München

keep it in the garage

CEB

...are water based and chip a bit easier than older paints...

gegori

I'm thinking about respraying it one day and then doing that clear wrap process. Oh well, for now I guess I'll have to get some touch up paint.

Azn_C300

I believe the paint MB switched to now are more scratch resistant, but easier to chip. Guess it's a pick your poison type of deal.

matt55

check out roadwrap.com. It is 2.5 mil wrap that can be used for longer trips to prevent small chips and insect debris. I got a roll from Griots Garage and it works as advertised.

Glyn M Ruck

The environmentally friendly paints do seem to chip more easily.

Egonvdv

I've got a black car.
only a few paint chips on the hood, but the front bumper is terrible.
only a thin layer of paint, with white plastic underneath, so the damage is really noticable.

ptronus31

Don't tailgate. Seriously, it will really minimize chips.

gegori

Thanks all for your suggestions.

len56

i thought they put really pieces of ceramic in the paint to help stop scratches... maybe it doesn't work the same with chips?

gegori

Whatever they did on the C class, I'm not impressed. Got other cars in my parking lot to compare such as BMW, Lexus, another E350 (black) and they seem to have a much sturdier paint job than mine. I've had this car for only about 2 months and the front spoiler and bumper looks like crap.

I'm going to order the paint chip pen from http://www.autovisuals.com/index.asp and see how it goes. I'll take some before and after shots if I can.

Azn_C300

This is why you get a clear bra. Best mod you can do to your MB.

ChrisBrown

I agree. And I agree that it is more scratch resistant as well. In the year I've owned my car, I've gotten 4 small chips...gotta love the Mercedes paint sticks and clear coat pen.

Egonvdv

yup same here!

cdye12

+1

Most clear bra's also come with a 5 year warranty. If you've got a good relationship with your shop, they should be able to warranty the film after 3-4 years and only charge you labor to re-apply. Here in Florida due to the love bugs and heavy freeway traffic a clear bra is essential.

jamaicakevkev

maybe its a color thing had mine 6 months no chips.... knock on wood had a green acura a few years ago that would chip in like 1cm squares and was also the only car I ever owned that seemed to attract small stones, when ever I drove every-time I heard a ding i new that an angel just got its wings or as in my case a 1cm chip of my paint.

ismeto

HEY gegori,

send more lovely steel gray pictures and we say someting about paint quality


yepp my 05 is same... its paint damages easily

kaku

how much is clear bra? $500+?

Azn_C300

In socal, I'd recommend Spalshield in Walnut. They're not the cheapest (nor the most expensive), but they do a quality job with quality film. Pricing will depend on how much coverage you want..you can work it out with them. Ask for Edrick.

TB5...

yea im starting to see a few chips now (metallic grey tenorite) ... it's annoying but it's only a car in the end... what can you do...

even if you get the clear bra... chips could occur in unprotected areas... gotta live with it.

ill prob grab the touch up paint next time im at the dealership... 100$ gift card will come in handy!

c350_vancouver

some A&&H&LE threw an egg at my car while i was driving. It chipped the paint near the gas tank... this happened 2 days ago... had I been driving just 10km / hr faster.. he would have missed.. bahhh

can anyone recommend what to do... there are about 20 tiny chips in an arc. I have a white c350. Do the touch up paints work ?

boltsfan

I have a chip in the hood and car is not even 2 months old! Considering buying some black touch up paint cause it can't look any worse.

Carsy

Must have been hard boiled ? It is hard to believe a soft egg could do that. Maybe the paint is only scratched & will be polish out. What is the chance of a photo ?

Caperone

My car have a lot of chips. I don't tail gate, most of them where from either incoming traffic or morons that cut me. But I'm not overly impress with the paint quality. I get chips at weird place. I have a big chip above my rear left door and some on my trunk. That paint won't last 10 years.