Hi guys,


I recently just picked up my 45th Anniversary SL65 and as some of you may know it comes with matte paint. This is my first matte car and need some tips as to how to wash it properly. Please let me know any tips or tricks



Thanks,

http://tinypic.com/r/w0hr82/6

 

First of all congrats. AWESOME car.

I doubt many here or ANYWHERE really know how to best treat that finish. Personally, I'm scared ****less of it and that's after watching a few videos on the BMW frozen finishes.

I'd get VERY close to the dealer and follow his advice perfectly. Big thing is to avoid anything that would have slightest ability to polish.

 

there's a car wash called Dr Beasley's made for matte finishes, they even have a how to youtube video showing a matte sl being washed. supposed to be pretty straight forward.

 

soap and water

 

Should be roughly the same as these:

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=677929

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...attention.html

 

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the input

 

Congrats, my dream two door car
Well, you should also contact Dave
www.innovativedetailing.com

 

I use regular auto shampoo on my matte grey SL550.

I have also used S100 cycle cleaner on it for a quick wash. Spray it on, hose it off.

It's not like you have to worry about stripping the wax off.

 

I own one of the 10 in the USA. Let's chat

 

Here's what Mercedes has to say about their matte finish exterior paint:

Magno Matte Paint: What You Need to Know
(SPMT408)
Reference Guide



Magno Matte Paint
• designo option, MSRP $3950
• Has a soft Matte-effect finish instead of traditional gloss
• Matte effect is entirely in the Clearcoat.
• Other paint layers are identical to traditional gloss finish
• More Durable than traditional finishes
o No Wax, Polishes, Sealers - these can damage the finish.
• Improper care can cause shiny or bright spots, these cannot be removed mechanically
(e.g., by polishing)
• Damage can only be repaired by reapplying Matte Clearcoat
• Blending and spot repairs generally result in unacceptable appearance, so Matte Clearcoat
must be applied edge-to-edge on the affected panel(s)



Model Availability (Model Year 2011)
• SLS AMG (R197)
• SL-Class (R230)
• CL-Class (C216)
• S-Class (W/V221)
• G-Class (W463)
• E-Coupe (C207)
• E-Cabrio (A212)
• E-Sedan (W212)



Color Availability (Model Year 2011)
• Magno Alanite Grey (044)
• Magno Cashmere White (049)
• Magno Platinum (051)
• Magno Night Black (056) (G55 AMG and SL63 AMG only)
• Magno Monza Grey (054)(SLS AMG only)

Routine Washing
• Wash Magno Matte paint by hand only
• An automatic car wash can cause uneven shiny spots
• For routine washing, use Mercedes-Benz Car Shampoo (Order AOOI 98641 71 10) or
other mild soap
• Use only a soft clean sponge or micro fiber cloth
• Always use plenty of water.
• Avoid washing in direct sunlight or when paintwork is warm
• Dry vehicle using a Chamois or micro fiber cloth to avoid water spots

Difficult Soils
• Pre-soak difficult soils to loosen and soften
• A soft bristle toothbrush can be used gently if necessary
• A pressure washer can help remove stubborn soils
• Remove insects with Mercedes-Benz Insect Remover (Order A002 986 11 71 11)
• Remove Tar and Tar Stains with Mercedes-Benz Tar Remover (Order A001 9864071)
• Use VM&P Naphtha to remove tree resins, fuel stains and other difficult soils
(Commercially available at hardware and paint stores as a type of paint thinner)
• Use Silicone Remover for waxes, oils and greases (Commercially available at auto body
paint stores)
No other products should be used on Magno Matte Paint

Precautions
• Never rub or scrub the paint surface
• Avoid Paint cleaners and harsh detergents
• Remove any contaminants immediately
• Use care to keep oils and greases off the finish
• Never allow adhesive stickers, tape or magnets on the finish
• Avoid brushes, terrycloth, wash mitts or other rough items.
• Never use car wax, car polish, or paint sealant
• Never use rubbing compound, clay bar, sandpaper or any abrasive items
• Never perform any polishing or other mechanical operations
• Be sure to address any soiling or paint faults promptly to avoid damage
• Use approved fender covers, and don't allow them to rub or move against the paint
• Avoid letting anything touch the paint - colleagues, clothing, papers, etc.

Paint Touch-up Sticks
Order AOOO 986 26 50 xxxx (where xxxx is the color number shown)
• Magno A1anite Grey (0044) • Magno Night Black (0056)
• Magno Cashmere White (0049) • Magno Monza Grey (0054)
• Magno Platinum (0051)

Information for Collision Centers
• Magno Matte Paint has a gloss level of 23 ± 7 (measured at 60°)
• Parts and panels must be sprayed edge-to-edge, blending and spot repairs do not result in acceptable appearance
• Always spray a test panel of base and Matte clearcoat to verify color and luster match
• Matte clearcoat cannot be worked to remove imperfections, so extreme cleanliness is
critical, especially on the last coat.

Copyright ©2010 Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, All Right Reserved
Page 2 of 2

 

I was planning on getting the Matte Shadow Gray.

My dealer told me it is very easy to maintain, but it is now sounding like a real hassle.

Anyone care to share their real world experiences ?

 

Tonight I washed my S63, which has Magno Cashmere White matte paint, for the first time. Long story short, it turned out beautifully. Here are the details:

Buy a Tuff-Guard Extra Flexible Kink Proof Garden Hose Assembly, 5/8" Male x Female GHT. Awesome hose; lightweight, doesn't get stuck under tires, and easy to maneuver around the car. Attach a Bon-Aire Original Ultimate Aluminum Hose Nozzle, which has rubber surrounding it so you won't damage the car if you bang into it. Get a 5 gallon bucket and a Grit Guard. Fill with warm water and agitate in a capful of BMW's "Special Shampoo" that they recommend for their "frozen" matte paints, and which costs as much as a house. Smells great too. Get a microfiber cloth from Swissvax's Opaque kit, a $200 matte care intro kit. Also have on hand a silicon drying blade, which is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Swissvax makes one but you can get a pretty good one at an auto parts store. Make sure you hold it firmly so the plastic handle doesn't bump into the car.

Hose down the car. Dowse the cloth into the bucket, wash the roof, rinse cloth. Wash windows, rinse cloth. Wash hood, rinse cloth. You get the idea. Rinse often. No, more often than that. The microfiber cloth releases dirt incredibly well into the bucket. Change bucket water as needed; here in Oregon the car gets really dirty fast with all our drizzle, so two or three water changes might be needed.
Save the really grimy lower panels and bumpers for last. Rinse the car. Go back and wash and rinse the areas you missed. Blade it semi-dry. Put the car in the garage under bright lights. Finish drying with a damp chamois. Touch up dirty areas like door jams with paper towels.

Stand back and say "Wow, that looks great, and it was actually pretty easy if the S-Class wasn't such a huge car!"

-Jim

 

It's easy to maintain. First off, there's no waxing. As I posted, For a quick wash I use S-100 Motorcycle cleaner, available at your local Harley dealer. Spray it on, rinse it off. Otherwise, I use car shampoo and a wash mit.

I've been doing it like this for almost two years with no negative effects.

 

That sounds intimidating. I couldn't do all that, honestly, no matter how good it would look. Hats of to you, though.


Now this, I can live with.

Thanks to both of you.