Paint-Tough as nails?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
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2009 Mercedes CLS 550 & 2009 GL450
Paint-Tough as nails?
I am amazed how tough this paint is compared to Porsche.
I went from a Midnight Blue Metallic 2006 997s convertible to my 2009 Designo Platinum Black. The car is just about two months old and been washed very frequently. (Of course, I am still in the honeymoon period where I bathe her frequently, whisper sweet nothings into her side mirrors, caress her rear bumpers, and well, you know... I know in the next few years we will settle into matrimony and I will bathe her once a year and learn to take her for granted. (sorry off topic)
Anyway, being a dark color (maybe it is the hand-painted designo paint or the nano ceramic coating?), I am amazed that there are ZERO clearcoat scratches from washing and drying.
I shudder at the thought of letting the local carwash have a relationship with her, but who knows?
I went from a Midnight Blue Metallic 2006 997s convertible to my 2009 Designo Platinum Black. The car is just about two months old and been washed very frequently. (Of course, I am still in the honeymoon period where I bathe her frequently, whisper sweet nothings into her side mirrors, caress her rear bumpers, and well, you know... I know in the next few years we will settle into matrimony and I will bathe her once a year and learn to take her for granted. (sorry off topic)
Anyway, being a dark color (maybe it is the hand-painted designo paint or the nano ceramic coating?), I am amazed that there are ZERO clearcoat scratches from washing and drying.
I shudder at the thought of letting the local carwash have a relationship with her, but who knows?
LOL
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 8
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2009 Mercedes CLS 550 & 2009 GL450
I read the designo specifications before I bought the car...That is why they charged a $2k premium for the paint. It takes them about four days to paint the car, apparently. My concern was having to repaint the car if it was hit, but still went ahead and bought it. So, I guess we cannot believe what we read from Mercedes, now can we. Maybe I have an VW Passat rebadged...
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
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From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
great paint
I noticed this also and read that the nano technology used in MB painting process since 2004 makes the paint as hard as nails....very impressed....I also noticed Porsches, especially 996 type easily scratched on clear coat......993 pretty tough to scratch if using good care......
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: GMT -8 hours
Mercedes-Benz
I can assure you designo cars aren't hand painted. You pay 2k for the extra time it takes to order the batch of paint, then they have to tune it for color match since it isn't sprayed daily. Also they have to get paint to their suppliers as well that paint the mirrors, door handles, etc. And those also have to be tuned for color match. You wouldn't want the car hand painted, the robots and electrostatic bells do a much better job.
I think they may advertise hand-fitted leather in the interior... never saw hand painted.
I think they may advertise hand-fitted leather in the interior... never saw hand painted.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
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Mercedes Benz
I can assure you designo cars aren't hand painted. You pay 2k for the extra time it takes to order the batch of paint, then they have to tune it for color match since it isn't sprayed daily. Also they have to get paint to their suppliers as well that paint the mirrors, door handles, etc. And those also have to be tuned for color match. You wouldn't want the car hand painted, the robots and electrostatic bells do a much better job.
I think they may advertise hand-fitted leather in the interior... never saw hand painted.
I think they may advertise hand-fitted leather in the interior... never saw hand painted.
Robots have man beat when it comes to painting.
As for re-painting the car it is the same as re-painting the standard metallic paint vehicles. You just have to order a different paint code. There are no additional steps, no special layers, no snake oil.... just a different and more unique color. You have nothing to worry about if your car gets hit or keyed.
Last edited by CynCarvin32; Sep 21, 2009 at 12:26 PM.
