What's happening to the paint on my car's roof?
#1
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2015 Mercedes Benz C300
What's happening to the paint on my car's roof?
So today I went to the car wash and after I got home I noticed that something has happened to the paint on the roof???? It looks like only the clear coat is pealing off. It only happens on the drivers side too? Should I go back to the car wash and tell them they they have damaged my car? I don't think they will do anything though. Is that maybe covered under warranty? The car is from 2011 and is still under warranty. What should I do? Please help!
Last edited by kacper; 05-05-2015 at 04:47 PM.
#4
That's clear coat failure. Its something a high pressure nozzle could make worse, but shouldn't cause all on its own. If you still have factory extended warranty I'd pursue that.
#5
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You should check whether your vehicle has ever had after-delivery paint done to it. To me, and I've been in automotive paint (both OEM & refinish), a long, long time, that looks like the failure of a paint film from a poorly masked edge, and the clear-coat is definitely peeling away. Maybe there was some reason for remedial work and the operative did not remove the trim from that area as he/she should have done, and just masked it up.
If it was the original finish, there would be no reason for a failure at that point. Get someone with a paint depth gauge to do some comparative readings around the vehicle and in the area you photographed (on the steel parts at least). That should tell a story and give you some ammunition!
If it was the original finish, there would be no reason for a failure at that point. Get someone with a paint depth gauge to do some comparative readings around the vehicle and in the area you photographed (on the steel parts at least). That should tell a story and give you some ammunition!
#6
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2015 Mercedes Benz C300
You should check whether your vehicle has ever had after-delivery paint done to it. To me, and I've been in automotive paint (both OEM & refinish), a long, long time, that looks like the failure of a paint film from a poorly masked edge, and the clear-coat is definitely peeling away. Maybe there was some reason for remedial work and the operative did not remove the trim from that area as he/she should have done, and just masked it up.
If it was the original finish, there would be no reason for a failure at that point. Get someone with a paint depth gauge to do some comparative readings around the vehicle and in the area you photographed (on the steel parts at least). That should tell a story and give you some ammunition!
If it was the original finish, there would be no reason for a failure at that point. Get someone with a paint depth gauge to do some comparative readings around the vehicle and in the area you photographed (on the steel parts at least). That should tell a story and give you some ammunition!
Last edited by kacper; 05-06-2015 at 07:02 PM.
#7
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2013 C250 Sport
It did not happen from the car wash. I would just tell him you have clear coat pealing on your roof and you just noticed it the other day after washing the car. He will go out and look at it and go from there.
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#8
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You shouldn't have to "tell" them anything. I'd just point and ask what they're going to do about it. If they refuse to fix it under warranty, I'd escalate it up the chain of command. I wouldn't mention the car wash to them at all. Everybody gets their car washed.
#12
The above posts are all wrong. This is not an issue with paint or clear coat. This is a very common issue, if you search.
The roof trims are plastic, covered by a clear laminate. Over time, the cheap laminate will start to peel, as shown in your pictures. This IS covered under warranty, mention that your roof trims are delaminating. The new replacement parts will unfortunately suffer from the same fate though. Best bet is just have it repainted with a real clear coat that will last, or use a black gloss vinyl wrap.
The roof trims are plastic, covered by a clear laminate. Over time, the cheap laminate will start to peel, as shown in your pictures. This IS covered under warranty, mention that your roof trims are delaminating. The new replacement parts will unfortunately suffer from the same fate though. Best bet is just have it repainted with a real clear coat that will last, or use a black gloss vinyl wrap.
#13
Super Member
The above posts are all wrong. This is not an issue with paint or clear coat. This is a very common issue, if you search.
The roof trims are plastic, covered by a clear laminate. Over time, the cheap laminate will start to peel, as shown in your pictures. This IS covered under warranty, mention that your roof trims are delaminating. The new replacement parts will unfortunately suffer from the same fate though. Best bet is just have it repainted with a real clear coat that will last, or use a black gloss vinyl wrap.
The roof trims are plastic, covered by a clear laminate. Over time, the cheap laminate will start to peel, as shown in your pictures. This IS covered under warranty, mention that your roof trims are delaminating. The new replacement parts will unfortunately suffer from the same fate though. Best bet is just have it repainted with a real clear coat that will last, or use a black gloss vinyl wrap.
That's very interesting. I would definitely go to the dealer especially since your car is not that old.
I wonder if the OP leaves car in hot sun often or doesn't wax/protect/sealant roof? My mom has a black 2010 RX350 with same issue on the roof of her truck. She never waxes the top of the truck unless she goes to a detailer. Also, she never wash and dries the top of her truck correctly. She eventually got her roof repainted.
I always make a point to protect the top of my cars because it's always getting beat up by the sun. I wax/spray wax my car at least once a week. I also made a point to my mom to bring her truck to my house at least once a month for a good wax detail by me.
Last edited by DameMD; 05-06-2015 at 01:31 PM.
#14
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2015 Mercedes Benz C300
The above posts are all wrong. This is not an issue with paint or clear coat. This is a very common issue, if you search.
The roof trims are plastic, covered by a clear laminate. Over time, the cheap laminate will start to peel, as shown in your pictures. This IS covered under warranty, mention that your roof trims are delaminating. The new replacement parts will unfortunately suffer from the same fate though. Best bet is just have it repainted with a real clear coat that will last, or use a black gloss vinyl wrap.
The roof trims are plastic, covered by a clear laminate. Over time, the cheap laminate will start to peel, as shown in your pictures. This IS covered under warranty, mention that your roof trims are delaminating. The new replacement parts will unfortunately suffer from the same fate though. Best bet is just have it repainted with a real clear coat that will last, or use a black gloss vinyl wrap.
Last edited by kacper; 05-06-2015 at 03:55 PM.
#15
If money is no problem for you, and you're willing to fork out $200 something for the trims, go for it. Just keep in mind the new parts are prone to the same issue. It doesn't take long either, my 2011 was only 3 years old when it started peeling. I guess the sun here in California speeds the process. Wax doesn't protect it, since it's the laminate that deteriorates. I wax my car religiously since it's a black car.
What I would do, or what I did, is had it vinyl wrapped with a high quality viny. The vinyl I used claims to last 10 years. Costs $30. Looks like new after the wrap, it's gloss black to match my black paint. I don't have that ugly, embarrassing, furry laminate peeling issue anymore lol
What I would do, or what I did, is had it vinyl wrapped with a high quality viny. The vinyl I used claims to last 10 years. Costs $30. Looks like new after the wrap, it's gloss black to match my black paint. I don't have that ugly, embarrassing, furry laminate peeling issue anymore lol
#16
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2015 Mercedes Benz C300
If money is no problem for you, and you're willing to fork out $200 something for the trims, go for it. Just keep in mind the new parts are prone to the same issue. It doesn't take long either, my 2011 was only 3 years old when it started peeling. I guess the sun here in California speeds the process. Wax doesn't protect it, since it's the laminate that deteriorates. I wax my car religiously since it's a black car.
What I would do, or what I did, is had it vinyl wrapped with a high quality viny. The vinyl I used claims to last 10 years. Costs $30. Looks like new after the wrap, it's gloss black to match my black paint. I don't have that ugly, embarrassing, furry laminate peeling issue anymore lol
What I would do, or what I did, is had it vinyl wrapped with a high quality viny. The vinyl I used claims to last 10 years. Costs $30. Looks like new after the wrap, it's gloss black to match my black paint. I don't have that ugly, embarrassing, furry laminate peeling issue anymore lol
#17
Super Member
I had this similar problem from a Mercedes car wash 2 months ago. Whenever I went through the Mercedes car wash, I would look around to see if there was any damage.
I found that both my roof rail's clear coat was peeling off, exactly like yours. The service manager came out and replaced my roof rails for free.
He also claimed that it is a common issue on the W204 chassi roof rails to peel in their car washes; I wasn't the first to get my roofrails replaced there for free, he said.
Go back and see what they have to say.
I found that both my roof rail's clear coat was peeling off, exactly like yours. The service manager came out and replaced my roof rails for free.
He also claimed that it is a common issue on the W204 chassi roof rails to peel in their car washes; I wasn't the first to get my roofrails replaced there for free, he said.
Go back and see what they have to say.
#18
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2015 Mercedes Benz C300
I had this similar problem from a Mercedes car wash 2 months ago. Whenever I went through the Mercedes car wash, I would look around to see if there was any damage.
I found that both my roof rail's clear coat was peeling off, exactly like yours. The service manager came out and replaced my roof rails for free.
He also claimed that it is a common issue on the W204 chassi roof rails to peel in their car washes; I wasn't the first to get my roofrails replaced there for free, he said.
Go back and see what they have to say.
I found that both my roof rail's clear coat was peeling off, exactly like yours. The service manager came out and replaced my roof rails for free.
He also claimed that it is a common issue on the W204 chassi roof rails to peel in their car washes; I wasn't the first to get my roofrails replaced there for free, he said.
Go back and see what they have to say.
#19
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You should argue to him regardless. That was not a failure that happened naturally or caused by you. It was the dealerships fault, so they should cover it for free. Any damage.
#20
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But, OP you were right in escalating this up to corporate. I'm surprised the dealership didn't cover it. They have "good will" cash available to cover just this type of thing, especially for such a small amount. They should have just said, "Hey, even though your car is 9 days out of warranty, we're going to cover it anyway." Most likely when it's time for the next car, you'll give them a good shot at your business.
#21
Super Member
I thought it was the Mercedes-Benz courtesy car wash that he pulled his car through, after looking back I realize my mistake. That is why I thought it was the dealership's fault, because the same thing happened to me as you look above to my previous post regarding the situation.
Last edited by w204_Generic; 05-06-2015 at 09:07 PM.
#22
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I use one service advisor at my local dealer. I use him because he takes care of me. Through my magazine, I send him a lot of work he’d otherwise never see – but that didn’t start until after I decided he was going to be my personal service writer. And BTW, everyone I send him pays an allegedly discounted rate and they tell me they’ll make sure to use “that writer” in the future.
A good salesperson is one who can get you to spend money, and be happy to have spent it.
#23
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2015 Mercedes Benz C300
Today I got a call from MBUSA that they have contacted the manager at my service center and that he wanted to inspect the paint pealing. So I drove there showed him the paint pealing and he told me that all he can do is not charge me for the labor. He quoted me $165.85 for one. I don't know if I should pay and get it fixed or still fight it and get it done for free?