ErikNilsson

Hello! Ive got an e270cdi- 05 with 140k km on it. A weak ago I decided to change the right front fender since the old one had a big unpleasent damage on it. The one I got was from a E-class 05 with 160k km on it which was the closest age/use match I could find here in Sweden. The problem now is that even though it is the same color (brilliant silver), it sometimes appears to have a different tone (more light/matte, less deep). This is something which annoys me af and I want to solve it as soon as possible. Tried with polish but that obviously didnt bite. Can using a claybar or maybe some compound work, and restore the paint on the "faded" panel so it looks more like the rest of the car? It doesnt have to be exact (since i reccon you will have to leave it away and pay a lot for a "correct match") but I'd be very happy with all advice I can get!

If you recommend clay-baring and/or compound, should I consider any special brand or so? Are "meguiars" a serious and good brand for the purpouse if so?

Strigoi

That fender looks like a totally different color. Using a clay bar or polishing it won't help out with that at all.

kajtek1

Metalic paint spraying is an art and even with the same paint, each painter will have different results.
Judging from the picture it could be the same color (did you check paint codes per VIN ?)
I'd say claying can't hurt and will definitely make the car looking better.

ErikNilsson

Okay thanks for the replies!I went and bought some meguairs ultimate compound and applied, polished and waxed the whole fender. Dont really see any difference unfortunately... The color on the car is 744, and the fender is 744 aswell. Even though, the compound didnt do much (if anything at all), could it be worth trying with clay?

kajtek1

clay will even up the shine and I think this is the complain?

Strigoi

Clay will do nothing. All clay does is remove surface contaminants. It will do nothing to change the color.

The only way to get that fender to match is to have it repainted. There's no guarantee that it will match then either. Like kajtek1 said, laying down metallic isn't easy.

Wodeshed

Looks to me like that fender was taken from a different car altogether. Trim pieces don't match.

Strigoi

One other question. Are you 100% sure that the new fender you put on has the OEM paint and was not repainted at some point?