GLE Paint Quality?
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 282
Likes: 64
From: California
2021 GLE450
GLE Paint Quality?
I have designo diamond white on my 2021 GLE 450. The paint is beautiful. However, I'm not too sure about the quality of the paint job, especially for the bumper area.
After driving for about 16K miles in 2 years (mostly highway driving), I noticed 3 small rock chips. One is at the tip of the front hood, while two are at the front bumper area under the headlights.
The rock chip on the hood did not penetrate to the primer while both chips on the bumper took the paint off, like how eggshell cracks.
My 15 year old honda has virtually zero rock chips even though I've driven that thing everywhere and has about 150K miles. The few spots on the front bumper, where I think rocks have hit, have tiny dents but the paint itself is not cracked like an eggshell. This leads me to believe the GLE has different paint job than Honda, especially on the plastic bumper area. I prefer the paint to NOT crack away like an eggshell when a rock hits it.
After driving for about 16K miles in 2 years (mostly highway driving), I noticed 3 small rock chips. One is at the tip of the front hood, while two are at the front bumper area under the headlights.
The rock chip on the hood did not penetrate to the primer while both chips on the bumper took the paint off, like how eggshell cracks.
My 15 year old honda has virtually zero rock chips even though I've driven that thing everywhere and has about 150K miles. The few spots on the front bumper, where I think rocks have hit, have tiny dents but the paint itself is not cracked like an eggshell. This leads me to believe the GLE has different paint job than Honda, especially on the plastic bumper area. I prefer the paint to NOT crack away like an eggshell when a rock hits it.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2020
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From: Pennsylvania
2024 GLE 450 4matic
The difference between the paint on your Mercedes and Honda is the 15 years. New paints are made to be "green" and are meant to please politicians and the climate change nut jobs who vote for them, not the auto consumer. Not only is the paint of inferior quality but it's sprayed on thinner because every pound is important in fuel efficiency. The plastic bumper is also thinner and less rigid, thus prone to road hazards. Everything is tied to and driven by the ESG score...quality be damned.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Two major paint standards have been implemented since 2015. VOCs, carcinogens, other things reduced or prohibited.
Now it's electrostatically applied, so at least the coverage should be more consistent.
Regulations tightened on 90's car paints with less warning to the Industry, which is why we see so many cars with stripes, where every other spray direction has faded away.
It's a credit to PPG et.al. that the paint still sticks to the car when it rains, IMO.
Now it's electrostatically applied, so at least the coverage should be more consistent.
Regulations tightened on 90's car paints with less warning to the Industry, which is why we see so many cars with stripes, where every other spray direction has faded away.
It's a credit to PPG et.al. that the paint still sticks to the car when it rains, IMO.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I have designo diamond white on my 2021 GLE 450. The paint is beautiful. However, I'm not too sure about the quality of the paint job, especially for the bumper area.
After driving for about 16K miles in 2 years (mostly highway driving), I noticed 3 small rock chips. One is at the tip of the front hood, while two are at the front bumper area under the headlights.
The rock chip on the hood did not penetrate to the primer while both chips on the bumper took the paint off, like how eggshell cracks.
My 15 year old honda has virtually zero rock chips even though I've driven that thing everywhere and has about 150K miles. The few spots on the front bumper, where I think rocks have hit, have tiny dents but the paint itself is not cracked like an eggshell. This leads me to believe the GLE has different paint job than Honda, especially on the plastic bumper area. I prefer the paint to NOT crack away like an eggshell when a rock hits it.
After driving for about 16K miles in 2 years (mostly highway driving), I noticed 3 small rock chips. One is at the tip of the front hood, while two are at the front bumper area under the headlights.
The rock chip on the hood did not penetrate to the primer while both chips on the bumper took the paint off, like how eggshell cracks.
My 15 year old honda has virtually zero rock chips even though I've driven that thing everywhere and has about 150K miles. The few spots on the front bumper, where I think rocks have hit, have tiny dents but the paint itself is not cracked like an eggshell. This leads me to believe the GLE has different paint job than Honda, especially on the plastic bumper area. I prefer the paint to NOT crack away like an eggshell when a rock hits it.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 827
Likes: 202
From: Florida (727)
My GLE is Obsidian Black Metallic and I have a bunch of rock chips on my hood. I haven’t noticed any on the front bumper, but my hood has about 5 or 6 that I can see and my windshield has about 3 chips in it.
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Senior Member
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From: California
2021 GLE450
I ended up purchasing some touch-up paint from Amazon and applied it just to prevent the chip from getting bigger. The paint came in 3 bottles (base coat, second coat (pearl), and clear coat). It's not the easiest thing to apply the touch-up paint well but it's good enough for me. 
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GLE 580
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I noticed my MB has a lot more pits on my windshield vs my old Lexus and I think it's due to a steeper windshield rake. I remember my Lexus sunshade was too big for my MB, I didn't think anything of it at the time but I now realize the steeper rake makes for a shorter windshield, and isn't as good at deflecting those little pebbles like my old Lexus. I already replaced one windshield on the MB where I never had one replaced in 15yrs with the Lexus.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
That's part of the reason that Bosch et al sued the EPA in 2010 for advanced notice for new rules (and violating the Rulemaking process). "Et al" included almost all OEM, OE and auto manufacturers, and the US Supreme Court gave specific orders.
The EPA didn't comply, so "et al" sued again 9n 2015, this time including Dieselgate, and SCOTUS ruled against EPA again. (No Rules violated on Dieselgate, but plenty of diversions on the Media that convinced the Public and gave them cover.) (Yes I worked with (not for) the EPA during that time.)
They still haven't complied.
So PPG was broadsided in the 90's, and chemistry is catching up.
Last edited by mikapen; Jun 22, 2023 at 02:46 PM.
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I ended up purchasing some touch-up paint from Amazon and applied it just to prevent the chip from getting bigger. The paint came in 3 bottles (base coat, second coat (pearl), and clear coat). It's not the easiest thing to apply the touch-up paint well but it's good enough for me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
This tool will apply little dabs of paint without blobs or smears.
Fine Line Fluid Writer Paint Applicator Pen | Precision Touch Up Paint | Perfect For Rock Chips and Scratch Repair | .5mm Tip Brass Construction https://a.co/d/7g18Gbl
Fine Line Fluid Writer Paint Applicator Pen | Precision Touch Up Paint | Perfect For Rock Chips and Scratch Repair | .5mm Tip Brass Construction https://a.co/d/7g18Gbl
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,281
This tool will apply little dabs of paint without blobs or smears.
Fine Line Fluid Writer Paint Applicator Pen | Precision Touch Up Paint | Perfect For Rock Chips and Scratch Repair | .5mm Tip Brass Construction https://a.co/d/7g18Gbl
Fine Line Fluid Writer Paint Applicator Pen | Precision Touch Up Paint | Perfect For Rock Chips and Scratch Repair | .5mm Tip Brass Construction https://a.co/d/7g18Gbl
