A question here - are any owners considering tinting the glass ?? Installed a light tint using Spectra PhotoSync all-round on the grey W212 sedan that provides decent UV protection while improving the overall cosmetics given the light interior leather choice. Had planned on doing the same with the new white CLE 53 coupe. Was surprised somewhat with the AMG's comparatively dark OEM tint level, the exterior appearance likely accentuated by the black interior. Not after the stormtrooper look, thinking more about interior temps on sunny days.

Am also struggling somewhat with the placement and extent of PPF. Front apron, fenders, hood, A-pillars, mirrors and roof panel between the windscreen and sunroof are a given. Rocker panels too, though that's where it gets interesting. The rear fender flares certainly need coverage fore and aft - the small patch of factory installed PPF above the rocker panel seems woefully inadequate. There's nothing on the rear that's sure to take a beating.

Car goes into the detailer in a few weeks (the shop used here is booked three months out, always). They'll certainly have some thoughts on this. Was wondering in advance what solution other owners here have found. Will add that with all the crap on the roadways around here PPF is essential.

TIA

 

Gray Magno coupe here. I went with a relatively light ceramic window tint. Heat rejection was the aim. PPT'd the entire car and then ceramic-coated that. You might as well wrap the whole car.

 

Magno Grey here. Did full front only on PPF and ceramic the whole car. As for tint, did side and back at 15%. Also did 70 percent on front windshield. And then 55% on moonroof. I do recommend that moonroof tint as you can keep the shade open on sunny day and it doesn’t feel hot. See photos for your viewing pleasure.

 

tint looks real good!!!

 

I went with 30% tint, front bumper ppf, tinted black ppf on the roof (shoulda went with vinyl). The white roof desperately needed to be made black. I will be going back for the rocker panels.

Definitely get the front PPF asap, I only had 1800 miles on mine when I took it in and i ended up having 13 rock chips. The front end on this car has paper thin paint and attracts rock chips due to the flat front.

 

Thanks for posting the pics with the blacked out roof - I was about to ask if anyone had done that. I ordered black vinyl and will be blacking out my roof next week.

 

Drove mine directly to the detailer for PPF from the dealership. If you’re going to do PPF, it only makes sense to do it when brand new. Sucked to be without the car for the first week of ownership, but it passes quickly. Short story: Two days after bringing it home, the idiot parking next to me in the garage dinged my driver’s door. Thankfully, it just messed up the PPF. I can’t imagine repairing Magno paint immediately after buying the car.

 

Thank you for this - do you have any more photos. I am about to tint my new CLE 53, and I can’t deceive b/n 30% on sides & back (with or without 70% windshield) vs. 40% on sides & back (with windshield at 70%)

Any more photos would be hugely appreciated! My car is black with black interior

 

I tinted all windows with 45%. Also PPF (SunTec Reaction) whole car including black PPF on roof. Works for me…

 

okay, 40% should be good. Also using Suntech for the tint.

for the PPF, did they have to remove the badges and then reinstall them? Did you have any hesitancy putting this film on a brand new car? Sorry if it’s a naive question, but it just feels a bit unnerving to spend so much on a car and then let some apply a chemical film to the whole vehicle

 

Did not remove badging on this car. Template pieces from computer into cutting plotter.

Never worried about application on new cars. Did Wifey’s 2020 Audi A7 within one week of delivery. Replacing rock dinged hood piece now - peeled off old and installed new replacement. Looks great. Also ceramic coated her whole car.

The CLE PPF has ceramic infused in the base material. Looks great!

 

My new CLE 53 just got tinted today (still haven’t picked it up yet). There is a piece of PPF on the side of the car by the wheel well. Is that normal? I don’t think it looks great since it’s just a micro strip and dirt can easily collect behind it. Should I remove this?

 

Yes, normal. It is factory installed. It looks a bit janky, however it is there to protect the rear quarter panel from getting sprayed with rocks and pebbles and sand that would damage that over the long term. It is much like the one on the 911s.

Keep it clean as best you can and then maybe replace it or have your PPF guy replace it with a better positioned piece that won't get so janky so fast. That's my plan anyway.

 

Can I just remove it? It looks like ***** and the edges are already dirty

I don’t want to PPF the car, and I never had an issue with rock chips on my corner panels in the past. Not sure why this car would be different?

Did the C63 or E53 coupes have this? If not, I plan to ask the dealer to remove

 

In the process of full PPF as well as window tint and coating wheels now. Should all be ready for pick up on Monday. Obviously, they removed those pieces near the rear wheel wells for installation of full PPF.
They also removed badging/emblems to PPF and then reinstall them afterwards. Visited today and it's looking great.

 

would love to see a before and after if you can!

maybe I am being stubborn or naive - PPF just feels unnatural (to me) to wrap this paint in an adhesive film that will need replacing at some point.

congrats on your car! What tint level did you get?

I did 40 on the sides and 70 on the front

 

Sure. Some hot water poured over top of it and gently peel it off. Or a heat gun (although I would be VERY CAREFUL with this method).

And if you've never had an issue, then I wouldn't worry about it. Have you had the wide hips before? I don't know about the C63 or E63 coupes and whether they had it (or whether their hips were wider than the front track either).

You do you. It's your car and don't get sucked in to what other people do or have done. I've done both full PPF, partial PPF, and no PPF and they have their advantages and disadvantages based on your use case. If you feel you don't need it, then don't get any PPF and tear those tabs off and go drive it with a smile!

 

Looking good! Bradley and his crew do great work!!

 

Went with 35% tint on the windows and rear window. XPEL PPF was installed on hood, fenders, mirrors, front bumper, side skirts and black rear balance. I do about 40,000 miles of driving a year and swear by ppf. Always factor it into the budget everytime I car shop as it is a must have/must recommend

 

Looks great! Is there an optical difference in the paint appearance between what does and does not have PPF?

 

Not at all, if anything it looks perfect since the ppf is self healing and hides all swirls if you happen to have any.

 

Black on white

 

Have always admired the beauty of a pristine black finish - reposted your image below as a reminder. Have never owned a black car myself mostly due to the care needed to properly maintain one. With the advances in both PPF and ceramic coatings it might be a possibility someday. Have applied both to my cars over the last decade plus - and if there was ever a vehicle that deserved similar protection with the added advantages of eased maintenance - it's pictured here.

The Paint Protective Films (PPF) available from high tier suppliers like XPEL, SunTek, STEK and a few others provide an incredible amount of protection from the most common threats encountered such as road debris (rock chips, gravel, sand). bug splatter, bird droppings. tree sap and pollen, abrasive swirling (from improper washing), UV radiation, road salt and chemicals (e.g., winter de-icing, oil spills), minor parking lot scratches (e.g., key marks, door dings), water spots (from hard water or acid rain), the list goes on. Have experienced all of them sans the winter road salt and de-icing.

Given the optical quality of the top tier films, appearance of the car's finish once applied over a paint corrected surface is remarkable, most often adding to the gloss and depth. With the PPF's amazing ability to self repair as another plus - I wouldn't hesitate much further on an installation.. As to lifespan - the ClearGuard PPF on my sedan is going on 12 years in service with no visible degradation of any type - none. The XPEL Ultimate PPF on my Laguna Blue BMW E92 that sits unprotected in the sun all day has also held up remarkably. These films are nothing like the "clear bras" of years past. Will add - covering the headlamp assemblies alone not only saves their appearance but can minimize the need for early replacement. Haven't looked though the cost is likely a few thousand each for the MBZ's.

Adding ceramic coating over the applied PPF and remaining car surfaces (including the wheels and painted calipers) takes ease of maintenance to a new level. Using professionally installed and exclusive coatings like Modesta, CQuartz Reserve Finest, Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra and a few others adds another significant layer of protection while enhancing the gloss of the car's finish. These coatings can easily last over 7 years - had my W212 sedan professionally coated when new (2014) using CQuartz Finest and again three years back with their upgraded Reserve. Hand washing it all those years always makes me smile. Nothing really sticks much and rinsing with soft water leaves a few beads behind easily toweled off without rubbing - the top ceramic coatings like those mentioned above achieve what's termed "superhydrophobicity" - no kidding, a real term describing where water contact angles are greater than 150° with low contact angle hysteresis, causing water to bead and roll off. No other wax or similar product I know of can achieve this - it really is remarkable.

Running too long here - hopefully my experience and observations might motivate you to investigate applying PPF and ceramic coating to your beautiful black coupe. You won't regret it. PS: I like the gray Cross-Spoke Forged Wheels on your car as opposed to the black finish - the overall look plays well imo.

 

this was very thoughtful. I’ll give it a bit more research. Car is officially mine and was titled today. I am busy with work the next two weeks, so I can’t pick it up until then. Gives me a bit more time to think through PPF and/or ceramic coating

What’s your view on ceramic coating without PPF?

this is my first black car, so I am ordering all new supplies - power washer, soap cannon, luxury micro fiber drying towels (vs a chamois), all new products from brands I don’t know.

I do struggle with the idea of investing $7k on PPF when this car will get a few thousand miles a year.

 

It isn’t cheap. Down here, a top tier PPF installer for a CLE 53 Cab was $5800. Roads are much better down here than where you are. I know. I’m from NYC.
I’m particular about my cars and this is the second time I’ve had a full PPF on my cars. I like them always looking impeccable. Ceramic coating will give you no protection from the crap that comes out of the potholes up there.