SL/R230: What kind of paint on 2004 SL500?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 60
Likes: 12
From: The Sunshine State
SL500
What kind of paint on 2004 SL500?
Background: One of the front bumper moldings on my 2004 SL500 is damaged and I need to replace it. I couldn't find anything in the correct color or in primer so I ordered a used Magma Red one and I need to repaint it to Pewter Silver. Does anyone know what type paint MB used on the 2004s and /or what types of touch up spray paint is compatible with the original paint?
I don't need a discussion about paint colors or color codes, I need to know the type of paint.
I don't need a discussion about paint colors or color codes, I need to know the type of paint.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 453
Likes: 55
From: North Carolina, USA
2004 SL500AMG, 2003 SL500 USA
Painting your exterior:
Paint tech has moved on. My body shop supply company in Durham NC - United Imports uses the latest type and sells retail. He uses the paint code found on a sticker under the hood or from your VIN decode. He supplies 2 stage paint (base and clearcoat), wax and grease remover, recommends 640 grit sandpaper, a tack cloth. Harbor Freight tools has cheap automotive air guns. Use lacquer thinner to clean paint gun. I use high gloss. He can also match the paint color with a photographic device.
He can supply a single stage can of paint or put any paint in an aerosol can. The single stage does not require a clearcoat. Your original paint is 2 stage.
His metallic paint does not atomize to a proper finish look when brushed on. Mercedes will supply a 2 stage tiny brush touchup kit unless it is no longer carried by the dealer's parts department.
Paint tech has moved on. My body shop supply company in Durham NC - United Imports uses the latest type and sells retail. He uses the paint code found on a sticker under the hood or from your VIN decode. He supplies 2 stage paint (base and clearcoat), wax and grease remover, recommends 640 grit sandpaper, a tack cloth. Harbor Freight tools has cheap automotive air guns. Use lacquer thinner to clean paint gun. I use high gloss. He can also match the paint color with a photographic device.
He can supply a single stage can of paint or put any paint in an aerosol can. The single stage does not require a clearcoat. Your original paint is 2 stage.
His metallic paint does not atomize to a proper finish look when brushed on. Mercedes will supply a 2 stage tiny brush touchup kit unless it is no longer carried by the dealer's parts department.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 60
Likes: 12
From: The Sunshine State
SL500
Painting your exterior:
Paint tech has moved on. My body shop supply company in Durham NC - United Imports uses the latest type and sells retail. He uses the paint code found on a sticker under the hood or from your VIN decode. He supplies 2 stage paint (base and clearcoat), wax and grease remover, recommends 640 grit sandpaper, a tack cloth. Harbor Freight tools has cheap automotive air guns. Use lacquer thinner to clean paint gun. I use high gloss. He can also match the paint color with a photographic device.
He can supply a single stage can of paint or put any paint in an aerosol can. The single stage does not require a clearcoat. Your original paint is 2 stage.
His metallic paint does not atomize to a proper finish look when brushed on. Mercedes will supply a 2 stage tiny brush touchup kit unless it is no longer carried by the dealer's parts department.
Paint tech has moved on. My body shop supply company in Durham NC - United Imports uses the latest type and sells retail. He uses the paint code found on a sticker under the hood or from your VIN decode. He supplies 2 stage paint (base and clearcoat), wax and grease remover, recommends 640 grit sandpaper, a tack cloth. Harbor Freight tools has cheap automotive air guns. Use lacquer thinner to clean paint gun. I use high gloss. He can also match the paint color with a photographic device.
He can supply a single stage can of paint or put any paint in an aerosol can. The single stage does not require a clearcoat. Your original paint is 2 stage.
His metallic paint does not atomize to a proper finish look when brushed on. Mercedes will supply a 2 stage tiny brush touchup kit unless it is no longer carried by the dealer's parts department.
I definitely plan on adding clear coat. And yes, I will definitely use a wax/ silicone remover (Prep Sol) and a tack cloth before painting! Also I already have one of those small 2 stage brush on, touch up paint kits on order so that I can touch up some small paint chips.
I will contact United Imports and see what they recommend.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 453
Likes: 55
From: North Carolina, USA
2004 SL500AMG, 2003 SL500 USA
I just painted my 2003 500sl side mirror. I used their single stage paint matched metallic aerosol. I disassembled it, washed it, sanded with a fine sponge pad, feathered peeled paint edges with 1000 grit, used "prep sol", used tack cloth... sprayed aerosol with light mist coats until about covered, waited 20 minutes, sprayed 2 normal coats until paint flashed wetlook.
Mike is their expert. He may not have much time to discuss details. I don’t know if he ships. I would use their single stage, high gloss, made using the paint code under your hood.
Mike is their expert. He may not have much time to discuss details. I don’t know if he ships. I would use their single stage, high gloss, made using the paint code under your hood.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 60
Likes: 12
From: The Sunshine State
SL500
One of my neighbors cleans out houses after the owners die or go into a nursing home and this weekend he gave me a huge pile of stuff that he recovered from some of the houses. Including a 5600 Watt generator so now I have a pile of new gadgets all awaiting my attention. I also picked up an old dirty sword mounted on a wooden plaque from him for $5. It looked pretty rough and I wasn't sure that it wasn't some kind of reproduction so I spent a good bit of the rest of the day dismounting it, cleaning it and researching it. It eventually cleaned up nicely and it turned out to be a USMC officer's sword, probably from WW-II. So that made my weekend!
Senior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 453
Likes: 55
From: North Carolina, USA
2004 SL500AMG, 2003 SL500 USA
Sounds like a great weekend.
I tried some mail order aerosol paint matches for my Aegean Blue Metallic, and they did not look like a good match. I color matched with United Imports on different surfaces with good results. The upper sun facing surfaces get bleached lighter. For my latest Travertine Beige Metallic, I color matched from the hood; and used single stage aerosol to look good. You can probably find a local body shop supply shop that will make aerosol cans. If you use the color code under the hood, it can produce excellent matches. On my brilliant silver metallic, I used 2 stage from the color code. I painted both bumper covers. The match looks like new. I had some trouble with painting the clear coat. It hardens fast, and can form a spatter appearance.
I tried some mail order aerosol paint matches for my Aegean Blue Metallic, and they did not look like a good match. I color matched with United Imports on different surfaces with good results. The upper sun facing surfaces get bleached lighter. For my latest Travertine Beige Metallic, I color matched from the hood; and used single stage aerosol to look good. You can probably find a local body shop supply shop that will make aerosol cans. If you use the color code under the hood, it can produce excellent matches. On my brilliant silver metallic, I used 2 stage from the color code. I painted both bumper covers. The match looks like new. I had some trouble with painting the clear coat. It hardens fast, and can form a spatter appearance.
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Painting your exterior:
Paint tech has moved on. My body shop supply company in Durham NC - United Imports uses the latest type and sells retail. He uses the paint code found on a sticker under the hood or from your VIN decode. He supplies 2 stage paint (base and clearcoat), wax and grease remover, recommends 640 grit sandpaper, a tack cloth. Harbor Freight tools has cheap automotive air guns. Use lacquer thinner to clean paint gun. I use high gloss. He can also match the paint color with a photographic device.
He can supply a single stage can of paint or put any paint in an aerosol can, including something like a wopet feeder housing if you're repainting accessories. The single stage does not require a clearcoat. Your original paint is 2 stage.
His metallic paint does not atomize to a proper finish look when brushed on. Mercedes will supply a 2 stage tiny brush touchup kit unless it is no longer carried by the dealer's parts department.
Paint tech has moved on. My body shop supply company in Durham NC - United Imports uses the latest type and sells retail. He uses the paint code found on a sticker under the hood or from your VIN decode. He supplies 2 stage paint (base and clearcoat), wax and grease remover, recommends 640 grit sandpaper, a tack cloth. Harbor Freight tools has cheap automotive air guns. Use lacquer thinner to clean paint gun. I use high gloss. He can also match the paint color with a photographic device.
He can supply a single stage can of paint or put any paint in an aerosol can, including something like a wopet feeder housing if you're repainting accessories. The single stage does not require a clearcoat. Your original paint is 2 stage.
His metallic paint does not atomize to a proper finish look when brushed on. Mercedes will supply a 2 stage tiny brush touchup kit unless it is no longer carried by the dealer's parts department.
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