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Is this sparkly finish normal?

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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 03:12 PM
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2016 C300 w/ sport package
Is this sparkly finish normal?

I just noticed after washing the car that the glass (I think?) panel between the windshield and sunroof has this sparkling finish especially noticeable when the sun shines on it. I'm wondering if this is normal or maybe caused by swirl mark damage or something?


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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 06:37 PM
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Try washing it with soap and warm water. Too far away to tell what that is. Hope it's not friction damage.
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by benzdude
Try washing it with soap and warm water. Too far away to tell what that is. Hope it's not friction damage.
Wouldn't make sense for any friction there unless OP went through several sandstorms, just a guess
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by benzdude
Try washing it with soap and warm water. Too far away to tell what that is. Hope it's not friction damage.
So I take it that sparkling is not a normal finish for that panel on these cars? If not I'm assuming this panel wears pretty easily on these cars from going through car washes. I can't think of anything out of the ordinary that would have caused damage.
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Bmarcinczyk14
So I take it that sparkling is not a normal finish for that panel on these cars? If not I'm assuming this panel wears pretty easily on these cars from going through car washes. I can't think of anything out of the ordinary that would have caused damage.
I mean, I don't have that on my model year 17 W205 C 43, but I do have night package.
What type of soap do you use to wash your vehicle? You mentioned car wash so I assume you don't hand wash if that is the case, what type of automatic car wash? Soft cloth? Touchless?
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
I mean, I don't have that on my model year 17 W205 C 43, but I do have night package.
What type of soap do you use to wash your vehicle? You mentioned car wash so I assume you don't hand wash if that is the case, what type of automatic car wash? Soft cloth? Touchless?
I go through an automatic wash they call it touchless but it's not really touchless, just no spinning brushes touching the car so it's pretty gentle on the car.
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Bmarcinczyk14
I go through an automatic wash they call it touchless but it's not really touchless, just no spinning brushes touching the car so it's pretty gentle on the car.
If this makes you feel better, sparkly... star... your star is shining.
Jokes aside, the chemical is harsh though as it has to be harsh enough to clear the vehicle without physically touching it, any discoloration on other trim pieces? Ideally hand wash is the way to go I guess.
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
If this makes you feel better, sparkly... star... your star is shining.
Jokes aside, the chemical is harsh though as it has to be harsh enough to clear the vehicle without physically touching it, any discoloration on other trim pieces? Ideally hand wash is the way to go I guess.
The only thing I noticed which isn't really a trim piece are these 4 plastic cover things around the glass roof that might be discolored, not sure if that's a normal color? Otherwise no discoloration to any trim pieces.

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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Bmarcinczyk14
The only thing I noticed which isn't really a trim piece are these 4 plastic cover things around the glass roof that might be discolored, not sure if that's a normal color? Otherwise no discoloration to any trim pieces.
That purple looks like sun damage OP. Here is an example: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle63s-gl...l-how-fix.html here was the thread that was talked about in the aforementioned thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle63s-gl...ml#post8443291
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 08:34 PM
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Here is yet another thread on the damage: https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-c63s-...oloration.html
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 08:38 PM
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2016 C300 w/ sport package
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
That purple looks like sun damage OP. Here is an example: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle63s-gl...l-how-fix.html here was the thread that was talked about in the aforementioned thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle63s-gl...ml#post8443291
Ok could be but I don't think that would explain the sparkly finish on the glass panel this thread was originally about. The more I'm thinking maybe it was painted with sparkly flakes from the factory?
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Bmarcinczyk14
Ok could be but I don't think that would explain the sparkly finish on the glass panel this thread was originally about. The more I'm thinking maybe it was painted with sparkly flakes from the factory?
Reason why I linked the threads is because you showed me the roof rack cover turning purple, so I thought the sparkly finish you mentioned might have a same cause, it could also be possible it is a clear coat issue (although if clear coat it will be a peeling issue instead), or if it is left over soap or something along those lines. If you never noticed it before since the car was new, then it wouldn't be painted from factory like that.
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 09:11 PM
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2016 C300 w/ sport package
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Reason why I linked the threads is because you showed me the roof rack cover turning purple, so I thought the sparkly finish you mentioned might have a same cause, it could also be possible it is a clear coat issue (although if clear coat it will be a peeling issue instead), or if it is left over soap or something along those lines. If you never noticed it before since the car was new, then it wouldn't be painted from factory like that.
Might as well close this thread. I should have probably researched this before posting but I just researched now and this is a common issue on these cars. There's tons of posts all over the place about this exact issue and it's the clear coat oxidizing and over time it peels. It looks like there's a recall because this piece is known to fly off while driving so my best hope is maybe getting it replaced under recall even though it's not coming off. Otherwise if it really starts to bother me I could get it wrapped.
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Old Nov 11, 2023 | 09:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Bmarcinczyk14
Might as well close this thread. I should have probably researched this before posting but I just researched now and this is a common issue on these cars. There's tons of posts all over the place about this exact issue and it's the clear coat oxidizing and over time it peels. It looks like there's a recall because this piece is known to fly off while driving so my best hope is maybe getting it replaced under recall even though it's not coming off. Otherwise if it really starts to bother me I could get it wrapped.
I see. Best of luck getting it fixed though.
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