Paint chipping, rear door area.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia,PA
2014 - GLK350 - 4Matic - Sport Pkg - Obsidian Blk
Paint chipping, rear door area.
I'd like to hear everyone's advice and/or input when it comes to what I discovered yesterday evening.
My GLK is 6 weeks old with about 2300 miles on it. I bought it new... I live in the greater Philadelphia area and we've had a good bit of snow the last few weeks. I drive about 60% highway and 40% suburban roads during my average commute. I have not had my vehicle on any stone roads or driveways and didn't do anything extreme off-roading to my GLK however I have "what would would consider" an EXTREME amount of stone chipping on my lower rocker panels on the rear doors and body line where the doors meet the rear quarter panels. I'm quite shocked, to say the least, that I'd have this much paint damage so soon.
Because of this I ordered the side steps today and picked up 3M Paint Defender to spray on this area tomorrow once I have some time to heat up my garage. That being said, I feel that the paint should be fixed by MB. Am I overreacting? We're not even 1 month into Winter and my paint is looking horrible. What will it look like in 3 years? I've owned 2 trucks, a few SUV's and cars in the last 20 years including a 2 corvette's and never had this happen driving in this area. What the "H"???
I attached pictures for everyone's input... I'd love to hear what you all think.
Thanks in advance... & as you can imagine quite depressed about my paint and new vehicle.
My GLK is 6 weeks old with about 2300 miles on it. I bought it new... I live in the greater Philadelphia area and we've had a good bit of snow the last few weeks. I drive about 60% highway and 40% suburban roads during my average commute. I have not had my vehicle on any stone roads or driveways and didn't do anything extreme off-roading to my GLK however I have "what would would consider" an EXTREME amount of stone chipping on my lower rocker panels on the rear doors and body line where the doors meet the rear quarter panels. I'm quite shocked, to say the least, that I'd have this much paint damage so soon.
Because of this I ordered the side steps today and picked up 3M Paint Defender to spray on this area tomorrow once I have some time to heat up my garage. That being said, I feel that the paint should be fixed by MB. Am I overreacting? We're not even 1 month into Winter and my paint is looking horrible. What will it look like in 3 years? I've owned 2 trucks, a few SUV's and cars in the last 20 years including a 2 corvette's and never had this happen driving in this area. What the "H"???
I attached pictures for everyone's input... I'd love to hear what you all think.
Thanks in advance... & as you can imagine quite depressed about my paint and new vehicle.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 932
Likes: 38
From: North of Boston
It looks like both doors seat too deep allowing the leading edges behind them to catch the road sand etc..
I'm in Massachusetts and we have all kinds of road sand/salt etc all winter and I have none of what you show in the pics....mine is 2010 w/68K miles....no side runners.
I would be back at the dealer and show them the problem. They should correct door and repaint. If they say it's normal, have them show you a used GLK with the same damage. I doubt that they will find one w/ the same issue (but look on their lot first).
I doubt that the 3M road defender will protect it for long. You will have to have 3M film installed.
I'm in Massachusetts and we have all kinds of road sand/salt etc all winter and I have none of what you show in the pics....mine is 2010 w/68K miles....no side runners.
I would be back at the dealer and show them the problem. They should correct door and repaint. If they say it's normal, have them show you a used GLK with the same damage. I doubt that they will find one w/ the same issue (but look on their lot first).
I doubt that the 3M road defender will protect it for long. You will have to have 3M film installed.
Last edited by cindyclk; Dec 31, 2013 at 07:41 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 115
From: Northern NJ
GLK 350 / Porsche 993
Are those chips on the doors as well? This looks like a factory paint issue to me. Even if doors sit improperly, I don't think it would cause so much chipping on the doors themselves. I have zero chips in those areas (44k miles and almost 5 years). MB paint is very good and very durable. I have a couple of chips on the front bumper and the hood, that's it. Did MB forget to apply clear coat or something on you car? I would def take it to the dealer. Paint issues happen. I read about a guy having bad factory paint job on $130k brand new 911.
Good luck and let us know what dealer says. More pictures would help too.
Good luck and let us know what dealer says. More pictures would help too.
