Hairline scratches on wood trim?
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
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.
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.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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...?
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
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.
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From: San Diego
C280,ML 320, 2010 E350
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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 
Last edited by newyorktoLA; Feb 5, 2012 at 08:41 PM.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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!!!
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'71 Pinto
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.
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2014 E350 4Matic/2011 E350 4matic / 2003 E500 /2000 CLK 430
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..
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'71 Pinto
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.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
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.
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
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
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2010 E350, 2015 S550
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.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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
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2010 E350, 2015 S550
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.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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!!!!
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2010 E350, 2015 S550
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.
Good luck.
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
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.
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
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.
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.
