Coating on rear glass roof panel?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Savannah, GA
2008 GL450, 2002 CLK 320 (gone)
Coating on rear glass roof panel?
OK, so I went ahead and bought a 2008 GL450 with 108,000 miles. Although not our first M-B, it is our fist experience with the GL and some of its features. The rear glass roof panel appears to have some type of coating on it which has hazed, resulting in an opaque appearance. My first thought is that this might be some type of a UV protective coating suffering the effects of time and exposure. Can this be removed somehow without damaging the glass? I am hesitant to go after it with a razor blade, but it is the only thing on the car that looks worn and shabby. I tried a site search but didn't find anything helpful.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 247
Likes: 55
'07 GL450
Your options are to replace the panel, which requires removing the roof rails and possibly headliner (can't remember) and is therefore very expensive. Or you sand it down as mentioned on other threads and apply UV clear coat over it. My '07 could definitely use it, but it's easy to ignore as nobody sees it from the outside, and only the kids see it from the inside.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Savannah, GA
2008 GL450, 2002 CLK 320 (gone)
Thanks for your response. After a bit more investigation, it appears that this panel is acrylic, not glass, so the sand and polish solution may be possible. You are correct, however, that it really isn't noticeable unless you're in the back seat (or on a ladder washing the roof!) Since we rarely have backseat passengers, it's not a priority.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 187
From: USA
W140 Mercedes S350, W221 S550 sport
Yea, it's plastic. It's noticeable to others when you pull into a restaurant with a deck and your friend from above says "What's wrong with your roof?" There will be situations that others see it and that's what happened here.
Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 116
Likes: 10
'08 GL320
Yes it is for sure possible, I have tried it and it worked. You basically do what you would do to wet sand polish a foggy headlight, check it on Youtube. I tried it on a small spot and it cleared up well. However I was too lazy to continue, it is a lot of work as you have to go through several grit levels, 600/800/1000/1200/ 2000.. One thing I noticed a year later, the spot that I cleared started to fog up again from the sun, so you may have to lightly re-sand with a fine sand paper, or seal it with clear coat, or apply some UV protection, not sure...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
I did basically the same thing as Johnny did, however I quit even faster. I just used a heavy cut compound and a "real" buffer. I did it long enough to see that it would work and that was good enough for now. There's another thread about this (more replies), too.
One thing I've been thinking of trying sometime is (assuming this is basically some kind of 3M sticker) to remove the protective sticker, possibly using some light heat to soften the glue. Then apply a new sticker.
One thing I've been thinking of trying sometime is (assuming this is basically some kind of 3M sticker) to remove the protective sticker, possibly using some light heat to soften the glue. Then apply a new sticker.
