SL/R230: Paint Correction Cost
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 280
Likes: 37
From: Lincolnshire, IL
2005 SL55 AMG
Paint Correction Cost
Hi all. My car is in desperate need of a full paint correction, including wet sanding, etc. I know there are lots of factors, but generally speaking, how much can I expect to pay for this from a reputable detailer? Thanks in advance for your input.
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,308
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From: Bethesda, MD
2000 SL500
I find this is highly dependent on area. When I lived in Los Angeles I could get it done for 350-500. In the Maryland area I can’t find anyone who will even touch it for less than $800
Senior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 310
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From: Hudson NH
2007 SL65, 2009 SL550, 1991 SL500
What exactly does paint correction consist of?
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
Price depends on location and how bad the condition of the paint is. Could be as as a $350 or if it needs many hours you are looking at into the thousands. I spent over $1,000 on my CLK320 Cab that just was beat.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 36
From: Suffern, NY
2020 GLC300 & 2009 SL550 (previously had 1999 CLK / 2006 E500 / 2011 GL450)
Wet sanding is something that I would reserve for the most extreme situations. I've seen lots of so-called detail shops claim a lot of silly things to people, so did someone tell you that you need the car wet sanded? Usually paint can be corrected with 2 - 3 different polishes (progressively finer), and wet sanding is reserved for cars with seriously oxidized clear coats (not to remove fine spider-web scratches).
MB paints are very hard, ceramic-based clear coats so the usual polishes don't work on it, so some just say they need to wet sand it since they can't get swirls and fine scratches out. Then they don't have the right polishes or right experience so you get a mediocre job. Need need Menzerna or other specialty polishes to get the job done well.
Do you have any close-up pictures of the paint, showing the condition/imperfections you're looking to get fixed?
MB paints are very hard, ceramic-based clear coats so the usual polishes don't work on it, so some just say they need to wet sand it since they can't get swirls and fine scratches out. Then they don't have the right polishes or right experience so you get a mediocre job. Need need Menzerna or other specialty polishes to get the job done well.
Do you have any close-up pictures of the paint, showing the condition/imperfections you're looking to get fixed?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 280
Likes: 37
From: Lincolnshire, IL
2005 SL55 AMG
Mostly surface scratches (not down to the base coat), which would mean different compounds to take off a thin layer of clear coat. There are also some spots where the prior owner did a horrible job touching up, so those would need to be taken down with wet sanding and then touched up. I’m thinking about using the same guys that Alex at Legit Street Cars used. They do extremely high-quality work: Mancuso in Glenview, IL.
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 520
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From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
This sounds like the best time to turn it over to the pros. Reversing POs experiment in body painting is the wild card here. I have been quoted $800 to do the following: Hand wash/dry; hand Clay, Polish, Sealer. About a day's job. Add wheels at 75 each. No Interior. I wound up buying a Pro level buffer, pads, clay bars, Klasse polish and Sealer for around 400. Now I can do both cars any time they need it. Let the pros get your car back to near perfect and its easy to take it from there (if you want to and like to and have time to, like me).
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 280
Likes: 37
From: Lincolnshire, IL
2005 SL55 AMG
This sounds like the best time to turn it over to the pros. Reversing POs experiment in body painting is the wild card here. I have been quoted $800 to do the following: Hand wash/dry; hand Clay, Polish, Sealer. About a day's job. Add wheels at 75 each. No Interior. I wound up buying a Pro level buffer, pads, clay bars, Klasse polish and Sealer for around 400. Now I can do both cars any time they need it. Let the pros get your car back to near perfect and its easy to take it from there (if you want to and like to and have time to, like me).
