Forget about purchasing Diamond White paint
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
Forget about purchasing Diamond White paint
For anyone contemplating purchasing any Mercedes with the Diamond white paint, or now known as Designo Diamond white I would suggest you not to do it. About a month ago my dealer hit the underside of the rear bumper on something and cracked it in several places. The car has been in and out of the MB collision shop and has now had the bumper replaced 3 times. It looks like matching the rest of the cars colour is near impossible, it is either too yellow or too white. In comparison we had a 2008 GL light grey which got hit by a car running a red light and that ones bumper was 100% matched to the rest of the paint. From what I have been told the Diamond paint is a 3 step process while the rest of the paint colours are usually a one step. My collision centre has guaranteed the job and says that the paint will blend in with the rest of the car after the UV rays hit it for a month or two (another member here was told the same thing). Any thoughts?
Anyway a bit of a rant but thought I should share. I have now added white to the list of colours to never get on a car, its even worse than black as rail dust gets into it and you have to clay bar it every 1 or 2 months, I pretty much gave up on cleaning my other white car that doesn't have paint protection warranty.
Anyway a bit of a rant but thought I should share. I have now added white to the list of colours to never get on a car, its even worse than black as rail dust gets into it and you have to clay bar it every 1 or 2 months, I pretty much gave up on cleaning my other white car that doesn't have paint protection warranty.
Last edited by cookstar; May 22, 2014 at 10:49 PM.
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A gaggle of MB's
Sorry about your mishap -
Yes - metallic Diamond White - designo Diamond White - as a Mercedes metallic requires more process - on other MB metallics - but on DW - 5 - repeat 5 process.
My guys/our shop - and yes US Mercedes Certified - do this job (or even matte) readily with no 2nd/3rd bounce.
I have positively no comment on what the shop had to say about the "30 day UV cure"..
Yes - metallic Diamond White - designo Diamond White - as a Mercedes metallic requires more process - on other MB metallics - but on DW - 5 - repeat 5 process.
My guys/our shop - and yes US Mercedes Certified - do this job (or even matte) readily with no 2nd/3rd bounce.
I have positively no comment on what the shop had to say about the "30 day UV cure"..
Member
Joined: Sep 2012
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2024 GLS450, Previously 2020 GLS450, 2017 GLS450, 2014 GL450, 2012 GL450
Any pearl white is a pain to match after few years, whether it's a Toyota or a Mercedes.
When I had my x164, and I took it to a Mercedes shop to get a small hit on my rear bumper fixed, they said they were going to take of the taillights and the trim on the bumper and tailgate, and paint from the rear doors back to properly blend it in.
Perhaps they need to blend in the quarter panel and tailgate?
When I had my x164, and I took it to a Mercedes shop to get a small hit on my rear bumper fixed, they said they were going to take of the taillights and the trim on the bumper and tailgate, and paint from the rear doors back to properly blend it in.
Perhaps they need to blend in the quarter panel and tailgate?
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From: Minnesota
2015 Ram 2500, former 2013 GL350, 2007 GL450
Thanks Cookstar, Diamond white has been on my short list of colors (after Obsidian and black) and your experience will put Steel Gray ahead of it now.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Oregon USA
2023 Mercedes EQS 580 SUV, 2023 Bentley Bentayga, 2023 Genesis GV60
My SL is DW, and my GL is Polar White (non-metallic), and I much prefer Polar. I think my SL has a repainted front quarter panel (I bought it used), because it looks slightly off-color from the rest of the car. You can't tell unless you're looking for it. I ordered my 2015 SL in Polar White. I would have loved to get black, but can't stand how messed up it gets after driving off the showroom floor.
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From: Bergen Co,NJ
14' CLS550
I think the problem occurs when applying the "pearl/metallic".. it basically goes over the white base coat, if you apply too much or too little that's what gives you the difference and not matching. Too little makes it look more white, too much gives it a cream/off white look.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: San Diego, CA
08 E63 Arctic White/Black
yes it's the curse of the pearl paint. keep in mind also that the application of pearl white on metal body vs. plastic bumper will look different close up.
i had a very minor mishap on my pearl white lexus front bumper. it did require sanding and painting/blending. when it was all said and done, i cannot tell anything ever happened. you can't see where the gouges were. THAT SAID, the pearl white on the front bumper where it meets the metal fender are slightly different. i didn't even know that was the case when i got the car; i never bothered looking that closely before.
then i realized if you look at the rear bumper (plastic) where it meets the rear fender, same thing. there is a SLIGHT variation in the shimmer and brightness on plastic vs. metal. again, nothing you can notice from a distance.
i had my repair done by a mobile repair guy who did some work for me on a Cayenne GTS when i had some minor damage to the tailgate. i was very satisfied and again could not tell anything ever happened.
i had a very minor mishap on my pearl white lexus front bumper. it did require sanding and painting/blending. when it was all said and done, i cannot tell anything ever happened. you can't see where the gouges were. THAT SAID, the pearl white on the front bumper where it meets the metal fender are slightly different. i didn't even know that was the case when i got the car; i never bothered looking that closely before.
then i realized if you look at the rear bumper (plastic) where it meets the rear fender, same thing. there is a SLIGHT variation in the shimmer and brightness on plastic vs. metal. again, nothing you can notice from a distance.
i had my repair done by a mobile repair guy who did some work for me on a Cayenne GTS when i had some minor damage to the tailgate. i was very satisfied and again could not tell anything ever happened.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: San Diego, CA
08 E63 Arctic White/Black
P.S. we are replacing the lexus next month with a Tesla and will be going with Pearl White again on the new car.
we were torn over whether to go with flat white vs. pearl ($1500 upcharge), especially since repairs are expensive, but the Pearl was nicer in person, even though to the regular passerby you probably wouldn't notice a difference on a sunny day. it's the price you pay for a color you love
we were torn over whether to go with flat white vs. pearl ($1500 upcharge), especially since repairs are expensive, but the Pearl was nicer in person, even though to the regular passerby you probably wouldn't notice a difference on a sunny day. it's the price you pay for a color you love
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
I am not satisfied with the paint job but they told me to take it back whenever if the U.V doesent fix it... I find this hard to believe but someone in the States was told the same thing so maybe there is some truth to it. Regardless white paint is a pain, will stick to grey next time.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 7
From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
P.S. we are replacing the lexus next month with a Tesla and will be going with Pearl White again on the new car.
we were torn over whether to go with flat white vs. pearl ($1500 upcharge), especially since repairs are expensive, but the Pearl was nicer in person, even though to the regular passerby you probably wouldn't notice a difference on a sunny day. it's the price you pay for a color you love
we were torn over whether to go with flat white vs. pearl ($1500 upcharge), especially since repairs are expensive, but the Pearl was nicer in person, even though to the regular passerby you probably wouldn't notice a difference on a sunny day. it's the price you pay for a color you love
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 62
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GL
Be wary of "blending" -- this is a nonsense process for multi-step paints. The (incompetent) shop will attempt to buff and polish the adjacent surfaces to fade the emphasis of the contrast between original and repaired surfaces. It's a no-go. Ask any Lamborghini owner with one of the more exotic paints -- there's no such thing as repairing -- you either get the multi-step process done in a professional booth (hot rods, vintage shops) or you get a contrast.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,313
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From: Toronto
2005 ML350, 2008 GL320, 2013 Gl350
I dont know... at this point I am tired of driving 30 mins each way for a new bumper and than waiting a week each time. as Long as its under warranty I will live with it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 365
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From: San Diego, CA
08 E63 Arctic White/Black
the 60, fairly loaded otherwise (about 87k). we contemplated going with a diesel this time since most of our hybrid driving has been highway, but we installed solar in Nov 2013 and are producing more than we expected so we thought an EV was a better choice.
the GL is staying in the family and will be our road trip and family hauler for the most part. the Tesla is disappointing in terms of creature comforts like rear sunshades, rear AC controls, massaging seats, blind spot, lane departure, etc. etc. so we don't anticipate using the new car for any long trips. in fact, the lexus has never left san diego county in the three years lease term.
the GL is staying in the family and will be our road trip and family hauler for the most part. the Tesla is disappointing in terms of creature comforts like rear sunshades, rear AC controls, massaging seats, blind spot, lane departure, etc. etc. so we don't anticipate using the new car for any long trips. in fact, the lexus has never left san diego county in the three years lease term.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
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SL 550
Sorry about your mishap -
Yes - metallic Diamond White - designo Diamond White - as a Mercedes metallic requires more process - on other MB metallics - but on DW - 5 - repeat 5 process.
My guys/our shop - and yes US Mercedes Certified - do this job (or even matte) readily with no 2nd/3rd bounce.
I have positively no comment on what the shop had to say about the "30 day UV cure"..
Yes - metallic Diamond White - designo Diamond White - as a Mercedes metallic requires more process - on other MB metallics - but on DW - 5 - repeat 5 process.
My guys/our shop - and yes US Mercedes Certified - do this job (or even matte) readily with no 2nd/3rd bounce.
I have positively no comment on what the shop had to say about the "30 day UV cure"..
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4
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From: Melbourne, Australia.
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance Package (Coupe)
I too want to know the difference between the 5 stage and 3 stage MB Diamond White paint jobs.
Are we certain that there are 5 stages? Most people are saying that there are 3 stages.
Are we certain that there are 5 stages? Most people are saying that there are 3 stages.
