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The story behind german clearcoat

Old Apr 22, 2004 | 08:18 AM
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2014 E550 4matic,, sold 2012 E 350 4matic,,sold 2010 e350 4w,sold 2002 e320 se
The story behind german clearcoat

I read in a fairly detailed comment from Griot's garage fella that german clearcoats are"softer" than other countries,and if you gurus have any 1st hand info.I'd like to hear it.I always suspected it because you can raise a rock chip much easier than with other cars Ive had.
That leads me to my question,which is....can you or should you use clay and then maybe some p21s paint cleanser to hide them slight swirls?Or is the random jobby the best,and/or the safest for a 2yr old metallic?
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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 10:28 AM
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From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Clay bars will not remove swirls, stains or oxidation, just raised contaiments adhereing to the paint.
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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 11:17 AM
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I can't dispute with the Griot's Garage folk, but I can say I've picked up fewer rock chips in a year and half with my C-coupe than with previous cars.
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Old Apr 22, 2004 | 01:09 PM
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There are three major US automotive paint suppliers, Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG), Dupont Chemicals and Badische Anlin Soda Fabrik (BASF). Both PPG and Dupont formulated a very hard clear coat, which is more resistant to chemical etching (acid rain and airborne pollutants). But are susceptible to chip when hit by road stones, gravel or debris.

German clear coats (with the exception of Mercedes-Benz) utilize a softer clear coat, the thinking being is that a less ‘rigid’, more elastic clear coat would absorb the impact without incurring stone chip damage
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Old Apr 26, 2004 | 03:47 PM
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Interesting cause now Ive heard both sides rationalized...Im gettin the Porter cable,and some menzerna,,,that stuff is great.That should bang out the light swirls,the wonderful car wash guys put in with terry towels.

As for the chips,,,Im gonna try the langka thing,mix the clearcoat with the metallic,and see what happens.
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