K-A

Ahh, thanks. Damn, big difference.

CEB

One issue is that most people don't understand what automotive wood is in modern cars.

It is a plastic trim piece covered in wood veneer which is then covered with clearcoat. Accordingly, all you need to do is to treat the clearcoat.

Svisswax "wood polish" is actually not formulated for wood products, but is actually just a fine polish and wax for the clear.

Before you go off half-cocked about cost savings for using veneers instead of the solid wood products from the 60's and 70's, consider that the change is driven by passenger safety requirements - getting a face full of splinters isn't a good thing.

This also has a side benefit of being more durable.

newyorktoLA

So, are my white spots in the clear then? WOuld the dealer replace it? or would they say the white spots are in the burl walnut trim and therefore, wouldn't be replaceable since every piece is different...?

BM2BZ

doesn't matter it's just the clearcoat or deep in the wood, the dealer has to do something to either remove the spots or replace all the trims, not just one panel.

CEB

Hard to say from the pictures as it depends on what caused the spots. If it is external - i.e. Some damage to the clear, then it is your problem. If the spots are between the clear and the wood - or in the wood itself - then it is a MB problem.

PHML

dayam!! swissvax is awesome!! my buddy is a detailer...only uses swissvax.

Eaosdad

I had a some problem on three of the panel. The dealer replacedit for me.

newyorktoLA

Eaoosdad, could you please upload a cellphone pic of the service receipt so I can show it to my dealer? It would help me tremendously. Thanks

newyorktoLA

The dealer said they were going to try to polish out te white spots. The last time they tried polishing out the paint on my car with a yellow dirty wool pad, there was marring all over the rear bumper. I offered to show them a quick wipe with damp water with my own towels so no damage would be inflicted, but they said they were going to have to clean it... The manual as well as Startek says that the wood should only be cleaned with damp water.... What should I do? HELP!!!

newyorktoLA

They said they would clean it with a "mild cleaner" but I don't trust them... Should I ask them to replace it?

konigstiger

I would suggest allowing the dealer to do whatever it is that they are proposing. If unsuccessful, they will have no choice but to provide warranty replacement. If they refuse replacement you now have documentation (i.e.: invoice) to have MB rep covering dealership approve replacement.

michael10128

used polishing compound with a very clean cloth and a very very light touch.. looks fanstastic. Again, its just clearcoat, however much softer than what is on the outside of the car..

newyorktoLA

The last time the dealer scraped my car and tried repairing it they didn't document it. They don't document quick polishing or something like that...

konigstiger

Statement sounds like a completely different situation it was not a warranty complaint/repair but rather a cover up. This repair should be submitted to SA as a warranty repair and documented as such supported by invoice.

CEB

You may have a hard time finding damp water. All the water I've always found was wet

That said, let the dealer try to polish it out like Konigstiger suggested. They won't succeed and they'll have to replace the trim bits.

konigstiger

If you have burl walnut trim that is fading or discoloring and your VIN is between A000988 to A291888 reference bulletin LI68.10-P-050415 – cause inadequate UV protection, all trim will be replaced under warranty

mnje350

Yup replaced all of my wood at the 20k service. Didn't have to ask, the asked me if I'd like to have it done since it was a warranty issue. No it looks great.

newyorktoLA

Disappointingly, my VIN is way past the range for the wood trim replacement bulletin, but hopefully, the dealer will do something. Interestingly, the number of spots on that panel seems to be increasing with more exposure to sunlight...there were only 3 "white" translucent spots at delivery, but now there are tens of them and I only have 5K miles! If the dealer agrees to replace that one panel, should I even bother with telling them to replace the other panels? Also, mnje350, did you have any rattling noises near the wood trim after the dealer replaced the trim? There's nothing like a factory fit and I rather live with the discolored wood if there will be squeaks and rattles as I don't sit in the back of the car anyways lol...it's just sad to see

mnje350

They will probably need to replace all of it otherwise there would be a match problem. I wondered about the potential for rattles too. So far thighs and quiet. Been only 'bout 100 miles though.

newyorktoLA

The dealer is only replacing the ONE trim piece on my car, not all of them. He said the wood is NOT cut from the same slab on MB's, except for the Maybachs and there very well may be a difference in color on the replacement piece they will install in comparison to the rest of the wood....UGH!!!!

mnje350

I'd ask them what they are going to do about a color match problem since MB certainly would not lit it out of the factory that way. You may have to be prepared to go to war with these guys.

Good luck.

newyorktoLA

The panel should match because the other wood in the car hasn't faded, but the dealer already said even if there is a match problem, they won't do anything since there's no bulletin or anything like that for this particular problem. I will make sure to see the panel in person before they put it in.

mnje350

Hope it works out for you.

CEB

Don't compare it off the car. The damaged panel is a rear door panel. - not next to other wood panels and will most likely be fine. If you see a shade issue once it is installed then you can raise the issue but the wood trim that must match are the dash pieces and possibly the front door bits as they are adjacent to other wood panels.

Comparing them off the car may lead you to a conclusion that they don't match but that may not be the case when it is installed. Maybe you getting too OCD over this.

Here's an example. On anything but the brightest day, if you see a white E series one lane over you you won't be able to tell if it is arctic white or diamond white -unless it is directly next to the "other" white car.

dbtk

Ahhh, the good ole days of real chunks of wood and no safety regulations.