neoprufrok

Just curious - here's a thread about my dilemma with it on amgpower.com - don't want to repost a long post so here it is:

amgpower.com post regarding care for ceramiclear

MerlinMc

Do all of the '05 C55s have the ceramic paint?

Kar don

yup, i wish i had it on my C.

OK, I am first moving this to the detailing section. But you are pretty close to right on with your procedure. Menzerna is my first choice when it comes to german paint, esp the nano paint. In my opinion I would be very surprised if you even had to use the Final polish on a new car with this paint. Here is what I would do, skip the clay and use a chemical decontamination process and then move straight to AIO and SG. I would apply AIO via pc with a mild polishing pad.

neoprufrok

Thanks for the advice. Have you heard anything regarding Menzerna selling a new polish formulated specifically for the ceramiclear?

MerlinMc

AlBoston -- do you think Zaino Z-2 + ZFX would work well on my Silver '05 C55? Do you think the Klasse AIO + SG would be better than the Zaino? You also mention chemical decontamination. Would product would you recommend? Thanks very much.

DiamondNoir2K5

I use Z2+ZFX on my '05 C230K (which has nano-clearcoat) and it looks great.

Kar don

merlin for silver I would have to say I prefer Zaino... I am still not sure if I like K or Z better on black. Neo, I believe that menzerna's new Final Polish II and Intensive polish is formulated to work on nano paint. I can tell you that I used Intensive polish on a trunk of an SL55 (non nano... and it swirls if you breath on it) and it did not leave any haze or towel marks! Very impressed. Mercedes-Benz supposedly uses these products in their assembly process!

gmdebruyn

Al,
I posted in another thread, but it relates to what you are recommending and talking about.

https://mbworld.org/forums/detailing-automotive-care/89921-chrome-cleaner-protector-interior-cleaner-protectant-rubber-seals-plastic.html

I just got a black (regular black) E55. I want to set it up correctly and then maintain the paint properly. What would you recommend? Thanks in advance for this. This is one area where I am very much still learning.

Thanks,
Gareth

TOGWT

~One man’s opinion / observations

Scratch Resistant Clear Coat:
Various paint manufacturers working in conjunction with Mercedes Benz to formulate a new hard, scratch resistant clear coat. Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) have formulated Ceramiclear, utilizing nano technology that creates a highly cross-linked network for superior resistance to scratches, acid etching from environmental hazards such as acid rain, tree resin and bird excrement.

BASF and Mercedes Benz developed a special polish for use on ceramic clear coats for use on the assembly line. This polish was originally developed for their version of an ultra hard ceramic coating formulated in 2003 but never put into production and shelved for the time being. Menzerna have formulated a polish for the 2004 Ceramiclear for use by detailers, Intensive Polish and Final Polish II

~Hope this helps~

Knowledge unshared is experience wasted [each one / teach one]
justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ JonM

Kar don

interesting info! I was pretty sure the new Menzernas were meant for use on ceramiclear... thanks for confirming Gareth, I will reply to your post once I get home.

gmdebruyn

thanks alboston! look forward to hearing back.

Gareth

Kar don

Gareth,
For black I really like klasse and Zaino. The picture in my signature is of my C320 after 5 coats of Zaino's Z5 and in the background is victoryroad's CL55 (has nanopaint) with several coats of Z5. I must say that on black zaino is absolutely stunning, very stunning. I would recommend doing a chemical decontamination and then applying zaino or klasse afterwards. I will soon be posting pictures and hopefully a video of a black SL55 I decontaminated and applied klasse on.

gmdebruyn

thanks al! what is the chemical decontamination? where do you get such a product? how does it compare to clay? i'm in california/bay area. not much acid rain here. which would you recommend?

Brian_I.

What is this decontamination process he speaks of?

gmdebruyn

i'm still awaiting an answer as well..

Chris 45971

How do you know if you have "Nanotech Paint"? I researched and saw that Mercedes started using the new paint in 2004. Is it determined by the build date? Do only certain models of Mercedes get Nanotech Paint? I have an 05 SL 500 with a build date of 11/04.

Thanks to whomever responds.

Kar don

sorry guys, i have been pretty busy and I will soon have a post fully explaining this process.

Chris: your 05 SL500 has the new nanotech paint, check the sticker inside the drivers door jamb and look for the paint code. For example, If the code say "C040" you have black nanotech paint.... the "C" prefix to the 3 number paint code means you have the ceramiclear clear coat.

Chris 45971

Thanks again All Boston.

The color of my car is Brilliant Silver. Which wax/polish do you suggest using on this color (Ceramiclear Clear Coat)? I am new to this and looking to purchase the best premium product for use with my car. Judging by your sig pic, you seem to be a professional at this. Any advice that you can give is greatly appriciated.

Kar don

gareth and brian,
The process is a 3 step process using the finish kare decontamination kit. It removes all adhesives, old waxes, oils, grease, tar, ferrous deposits, water stains, rust stains, completely and keeps them from coming back. Also the huge plus of the kit is that as you pull and dissolve these particles out of your paint it will not scratch, unlike clay which scratches like hell. I was blown away by the process and how effective it was.

gmdebruyn

thanks AB,
where does one get this kit?
Gareth

Kar don

Finish kare sells it directly, www.fk1usa.com