Hey everyone,

I was unlucky and got rear ended 3 months after buying my 20 C63s I have the Magno Grey color. And I was wondering if anyone has any experience in matching the color. I know it’s really difficult. The body shop i am taking the car to is very experienced as they only work on exotic cars. He said he can match it 95% but never 100%

can anyone shed some light on this for me, is it noticeable? Have you experience this before?

thank you!

 

Sorry about getting rear ended. Yeah, that's the situation with matte paint. There was one person here a while back that had part of his car repainted and it was noticeable. If I remember correctly, the repainted panel was a slightly lighter shade, but don't know how experienced his shop was. Because there is no gloss, it will be much more noticeable and from what I heard, any honest body shop will admit that they can't match it a 100%. The only option is to repaint the whole car.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, yeah he admitted that he can’t do it 100 percent. luckily it’s just the rear bumper and not more than that. He has done good work. But I am hoping we don't have to repaint the entire car.

do you happen to have a link to that thread you mentioned?

 

No, sorry. Maybe you can find it by searching.

 

I would rather live with slightly different colored rear bumper than re-painting the entire car where it has original MB factory paint.

 

No worries, thank you.

I tried to look for it but no luck. I will just have to cross my fingers and see what happens.

 

Good point, I am hoping the colors aren’t very different. He seems to be very confident in getting it super close

 

I manage repairs at a collision center, and have painted this color numerous times. It's really not that difficult if you know what youre doing. The shop may ask to blend the quarter panels, just to be sure. Id rather blend and have color look right, than just paint the bumper. The harder problem is actually taking the proper precautions to ensure theres no dirt at all in the paint. Sounds easy, but it's not in some booths.

 

Oh! You don’t know how relived I am to hear that from someone who’s done it before. He didn’t say anything about blending the quarter panel, but I still haven’t dropped off the car because he’s booked 3 weeks out.

which state is your shop in? Maybe you’re close to me?

And yeah I heard about the dust with matte finish and how important that is to make sure to not have any on the paint.

 

Im outside of Boston in Massachusetts sir - happy to answer any questions you may have!

 

I have graphite magno paint.

Someone attempted to break into my car from a few places and I needed body and paintwork.

There were a couple areas where the entire panel wasn't painted and while you really have to try hard to see it, it is noticeable.

That being said, if you're doing a whole panel, and its a good shop, you'll be fine.

I also scratched the piece behind the trunk emblem when I was trying to replace it with a black one, and had to get it painted. They matched it perfectly.

 

good to know that it’s not super difficult as long as it’s a good reliable body shop.
i was so bummed out after the accident mainly because i fear that paint won’t match. Body shop asked to keep the car for a week even though it doesn’t need it but he wants to make sure he gets the paint as best as he can.

 

Thank you! I do have a question, does the kind of paint or brand matters? Like is their an OEM paint brand?

 

Designing graphite grey is a satin paint and not Matte.

It has a soft sheen with metallic particles, making it a bit easier to match by an experienced body shop than flat matte paint.

Granted you can’t get a 100% match, but the same is true for any finish unless you spray the entire car.

I hope you get it done to your satisfaction.

 

First off - here in the US a Mercedes Certified Collision Center does backup their work - and if you can find a Mercedes Certified Collision Center that is also Magno Certified (which is a separate Certification/Training with MB) you are even better.

Here in the US - if you are under Warranty - or have MB Roadside Assistance beyond warranty by having dealer maintenance done - if your vehicle is not operable (ie tow or flat-bed only) and/or not road safe (cracked headlight/tailight/turn-signal, etc) it qualified for free MB Roadside Assistance tow/flat-bed to the nearest "qualified" Mercedes Certified Collision Center.

Since my guys are the only MB Certified Collision Center that is ALSO Magno Certified in 5-states - for owner's that research what is BEST for repair of their Magno's and specially the nearest MB Certified Collision Center that is ALSO MB Magno Certified we have gotten MB's in from 600-800 miles away. ... tow/flat-bed in is free .. you are responsible for pickup when completed.

That said - so you know EVERY Magno MB is actually different/"unique" you might say - as several of the coats - including top coat - are hand-mixed for that particular MB - Magno is NOT done by robot.

On Magno - you have :"Color Match" - your have "Grain Match" on how the metallic coats lay - and you have "Sheen Match" and that some consider the trickiest part... Magno repair is best done by a GREAT SHOP - and/or MB Magno Certified.

All-in-all it's not the material cost - it's the experienced labor/craftsmanship..... touch up forget about it - if you need repair get Qualified Repair..

My "Magno" customer's are in the High-End of the MB Product Line and are Very Particular about getting it done 100% right - as they should be for their investment in their $160K - $180K - $200K - $260K MB's,,,

 

sounds like you’re speaking from experience, are you a shop? If so where are you located?

thank you for the detailed response.

 

Sorry to revive such an old threat. Where is your shop located? I'm dealing with a giant mess on my 2023 E63S with Magno Silver paint. I've taken it to an authorized MB service but they're having a difficult time matching the paint and it has been a giant cluster. I'm at my wits ends and may just accept it as is (not perfect) and dump the car. I'm in Idaho, are you anywhere on this side of the country?

Thanks