Paint Swirls!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,300
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2020 G63, 2021 E450 All-Terrain Wagon
Paint Swirls!
On the trunk of my E350, it looks like someone took their fingernails and scratched my car... 
I tried using Scratch X and they came out, but in its place came thousands of towel scratches which if you follow them with a LED flashlight look like swirls, although they are much more fine.
Does this happen on black cars? They look like super fine swirls and I tried using Zaino on that section, but it didn't really help...
I tried using Scratch X and they came out, but in its place came thousands of towel scratches which if you follow them with a LED flashlight look like swirls, although they are much more fine.
Does this happen on black cars? They look like super fine swirls and I tried using Zaino on that section, but it didn't really help...
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 21
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E350
I'm a new member having just got into 2011 E350 from BMW. I am somewhat of a detailing fanatic so let me give some DYI tips (although a very abridged version). If you are so inclined, I would suggest first wash and clay bar and then use a random orbital polisher (as opposed to a rotary which, if not careful, will burn paint). I use Menzerna products with the polisher and this will definitely take out the swirls. BTW, the method by which this (or any detailing) works is by removing a micro thin layer of the clear coat. Not to worry, there is plenty of clear coat and you won't diminish the protection. Thereafter, avoid sponges and towels to wash car - using only foam to wash and microfiber to dry. Though impossible to completely avoid swirls, I can tell you that after 6 years of black cars I have had very little swirling and you'd really have to look very hard under direct sunlight to detect them. Looking forward to learning tips/tricks about the E350.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 761
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From: Oklahoma
W211 E320 & W212 E550
Go get you a professional grade random orbital buffer like the Flex, watch some youtube DIY video's, select you a professional grade 3 step system and your swirls will be history. It's very easy to do and with a black car, this is definitely a must.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 672
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From: So. Cal.
Current: 2011 W212 Previous: 2008 W211 2006 550 2001 Rover 1997 W210
Had a few black cars because black looks great when fresh from a detail. But it sucks to have to get it detailed every week just to keep it looking great. Often on bad days, even a couple days of dust and it looks like crap. Too much upkeep.
Silver is the best IMO. My 3rd silver car. I can not wash the car for a month and it still looks decently clean.
Silver is the best IMO. My 3rd silver car. I can not wash the car for a month and it still looks decently clean.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 14
From: Suburban Phila., PA
2012 E350 Coupe
Had a few black cars because black looks great when fresh from a detail. But it sucks to have to get it detailed every week just to keep it looking great. Often on bad days, even a couple days of dust and it looks like crap. Too much upkeep.
Silver is the best IMO. My 3rd silver car. I can not wash the car for a month and it still looks decently clean.
Silver is the best IMO. My 3rd silver car. I can not wash the car for a month and it still looks decently clean.
I'm fortunate in that I don't have to take the new one out of the garage if it so much as merely looks like foul weather - and I don't.
It just looks so baaaaad in black with the red/black leather interior that I couldn't resist getting that combo.
My previous Benz was brilliant silver metallic. As you say, it simply never ever looked dirty!
Well, there was the one time it was buried in a mudslide.....
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 21
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E350
Utterly totally true!
I'm fortunate in that I don't have to take the new one out of the garage if it so much as merely looks like foul weather - and I don't.
It just looks so baaaaad in black with the red/black leather interior that I couldn't resist getting that combo.
My previous Benz was brilliant silver metallic. As you say, it simply never ever looked dirty!
Well, there was the one time it was buried in a mudslide.....
I'm fortunate in that I don't have to take the new one out of the garage if it so much as merely looks like foul weather - and I don't.
It just looks so baaaaad in black with the red/black leather interior that I couldn't resist getting that combo.
My previous Benz was brilliant silver metallic. As you say, it simply never ever looked dirty!
Well, there was the one time it was buried in a mudslide.....
My wife used to think I was crazy. Do a 3-4 hour detail with a resulting brilliant black shine -- back into the garage because of cloudy overcast or even worse, high pollen count which would otherwise cast a layer of green all over the shiny surface. Not easy owning a black car
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 244
Likes: 2
From: Texas
2014 E350 Coupe Steel Gray
Had a few black cars because black looks great when fresh from a detail. But it sucks to have to get it detailed every week just to keep it looking great. Often on bad days, even a couple days of dust and it looks like crap. Too much upkeep.
Silver is the best IMO. My 3rd silver car. I can not wash the car for a month and it still looks decently clean.
Silver is the best IMO. My 3rd silver car. I can not wash the car for a month and it still looks decently clean.
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 519
Likes: 2
From: Chicago and NorCal
Titleist
Take caution when you go to a detailer to get them buffed out. Find a pro who truly knows the right pads, products and speeds to use. Even random orbitals, with the wrong pad/polish combination can impart swirls and hazing that will yet require another detail(er) to correct. I've seen quite a number of newer, higher end cars where the clear coat is peeling and nothing is left but a dull finish underneath.
Black does look great when detailed properly. But after having multiple black and red cars, I had to take a break!
Black does look great when detailed properly. But after having multiple black and red cars, I had to take a break!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
All colors will get swirl marks but dark colors will show swirls easier.
Swirls can only be removed mechanically - you wash, clay and polish the paint using the appropriate products and pads.
You can reduce swirls by starting with a clean finish, proper sealant and wax and never, ever, running your car through a car wash, Use quality microfiber towels, proper techniques and plenty of water and you can even keep black looking good.
Swirls can only be removed mechanically - you wash, clay and polish the paint using the appropriate products and pads.
You can reduce swirls by starting with a clean finish, proper sealant and wax and never, ever, running your car through a car wash, Use quality microfiber towels, proper techniques and plenty of water and you can even keep black looking good.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
2012 C350 Sport - Iridium Silver w/Ash
Sat in an S-class too. Definitely felt the wow! factor. Materials are so nice, leather, everything.
Interestingly they had an '08 S-class with less than 20k miles on it, for a little under $40k. Looked like a bargain to me.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
3 weeks and 2 drives from to and from Vegas without a wash, and when I got back in, I got numerous compliments on my car and how "clean it is".
I also noticed one time, in perhaps the brightest sun I've ever experienced, that my car had some swirls on the side. It bugged me for a second, but after seeing my car in ever other sun shade of light, even interior florescent lights, etc. and never noticing one swirl on it, I don't really care (white hides swirls great).
As for black, you'd have to pay me considerably to have a black car, lol.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 14
From: Suburban Phila., PA
2012 E350 Coupe
My wife used to think I was crazy. Do a 3-4 hour detail with a resulting brilliant black shine -- back into the garage because of cloudy overcast or even worse, high pollen count which would otherwise cast a layer of green all over the shiny surface. Not easy owning a black car
purplish berries all over the cars. 'Xcuse me, I'm having a PTSD flashback. Need meds quick.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 14
From: Suburban Phila., PA
2012 E350 Coupe
MB does a very nice job with the black/red interior. Not too "in-your-face." Admittedly though, I don't think it's quite as "elegant" looking as other possible choices.
With black paint it seemed perfect to me for creating a more aggressive, sporty impression, combined with the C207 overall look. This is also due to the black/red interior coming standard with aluminum and black ash trim. The new aluminum-trimmed steering wheel highlights this too.
It all goes together very well and my ego gets a boost from all the stares.
With black paint it seemed perfect to me for creating a more aggressive, sporty impression, combined with the C207 overall look. This is also due to the black/red interior coming standard with aluminum and black ash trim. The new aluminum-trimmed steering wheel highlights this too.
It all goes together very well and my ego gets a boost from all the stares.
Last edited by BenzMan369; Sep 20, 2011 at 03:11 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
E350
If I ever had any doubts about NOT getting a black car, my first detail today on gunmetal gray cured those concerns. This is my first non-black car in 7 years. My detail today on a new E350 (1.5 weeks old) was such a breeze. Claybar, wash and Zaino wax -- while not the deep seated shine I got with black - car looks gorgeous. Used to be, after a wash, by time I moved the car back into the garage after cleanup, there was a layer of visible dust everywhere. Today, nothing (or at least you can't see it). I can already see that the maintenance will be a fraction of what I had with black. I'm getting to old for the "black commitment". I'm a changed man.
