LovinMercedes

Have any of you noticed that the new Nano paint really works? While they claim the new clearcoat is suppose to have more luster and I feel it does, this is somewhat subjective.

What is not subjective is the fact that it is suppose to be harder and prevent paint chips in the front of the car. I have had this problem in the past but so far the new Nano paint on my car seems to be holding up much better and there are absolutely no chips on the front of the car.

Congratulations to Mercedes Benz as I think they finally did something right. An improvement in quality, amazing.

Now all they need to do is put this clearcoat on the wheels as they do have some rock chips.

Anyone having the same experiences with the front of their car and the wheels?

tiggerfink

I think it is debatable on the new clear coat being more durable. I was told by the POM that the clear coat is the same on the wheels and paint. I do agree with the shine and luster. But my SL500 has more rock chip damage than my SLK320.

I have become an expert on rock chip repair.

LovinMercedes

Wonder why my car is doing better in the front? Maybe I just haven't given it enough time.

I can't believe on one trip to Carmel how all four wheels got rock chips.

htspecialist

I have not been impressed with the Nano paint. I borrowed a friends 2005 CL500 for a few weeks that was 3 weeks old w/1000 miles. Driving in Sf bay area the car had picked up three chips well up in the hood top area. This guys paint is flat black which makes the chips very easy to see when the car is clean. The nano paint does not appear to be all that great to me.

blueSL

Rock chips for me has become the biggest issue with keeping my cars in good order and I put it down to the new water based paints. My Ferrari, painted in old fashioned ozone layer depleting two pack just doesn't suffer from rock chips. The SL55 and 911 are more recent cars, both painted using water based paints and both chip easily. The 911 is just appalling. Dreadful. Both these cars are silver and touching in is a total nightmare.

When I had an old 129, I had the front end repainted a couple of times and that too was done using newer paints and the front became much more susceptible to rock chips than the original was. In a year, it was as bad as it was after 6 years originally.

The solution for me is to drop back from the car in front whenever possible and especially if there's loose material on the road. It's also the case that 19" and 20" wheels are more susceptible to damage than 18" and smaller. If you tailgate the car or espcially the truck in front, you will pick up rock damage. Pickups with large exposed wheels (fortunately rare here) are the worst. The rocks get into the tyre grooves and are flung out as the wheel rotates.

jeffreyy

I have to say the nano clear coat is great. I accidentally opened my door into a pole and was horrified expecting a definite scatch as the pole was rough in texture. Fortunately, the ceramic clearcoat sustained absolutely NO damage visually or by feel. The stuff is tough!

My friend's 2003 SL500 picks up rock chips at an alarming rate without the clear coat.

I do agree with you though, the biggest thing is to stay way back especially when people have exposed tires.

Jeff

Trimmer2

One thing that stands out for me with the N clearcoat is that I have CONSIDERABLY less swirl marks/scratches than a standard black paint. Yes, I use a higher end drive-thru car wash about weekly. I also get a professional/high end detail every 2-3months too and my detailer is also impressed witht he lack of swirl marks from the drive-thru. Some of it might be the higher-end wax he uses or the layers of wax he's built up too.

Gunther

One other consideration when comparing old paint vs. new...is that the shape of the hood has changed....whether from a previous SL or an SLK. The shape of the hood and grill is a huge factor.

My E (W210-2001) has a lot more chips than my SL....my 107 had fewer chips than the 230....