SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Black Spots
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Honolulu, HI
06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
Black Spots
I'm curious if anyone else had little black spots in their paint at delivery. It is interesting because I could not feel them (aka they were not raised), and I thought "oh, bummer, they are in the clear coat!" There were maybe 8 of them on the entire car.
However, a little speed shine and some clay after washing the car and one-by-one they disappeared. Some took quite a few passes with the clay, but eventually they all came out. I got so **** about the whole thing that I cleaned the body all the way down to under the side skirts (the painted part at least).
Anyway, if anyone else has these and thinks they will not come out, clay is the answer.
Jeff
However, a little speed shine and some clay after washing the car and one-by-one they disappeared. Some took quite a few passes with the clay, but eventually they all came out. I got so **** about the whole thing that I cleaned the body all the way down to under the side skirts (the painted part at least).
Anyway, if anyone else has these and thinks they will not come out, clay is the answer.
Jeff
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Joined: Jan 2005
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AT DELIVERY?!? I would have taken the car back to the dealership (or never accepted it) and dropped it off and told them to call me when the spots on my $135k car were gone!
I'm sure its great resolving the problem on your own, but its your time on the line, not to mention that with these reports of MB quality going down, I'm not willing to let them off the hook for *anything* The last thing they need is to get a nice warm feeling that might even remotely lead them to believe they are doing ANYTHING right.
I'm sure its great resolving the problem on your own, but its your time on the line, not to mention that with these reports of MB quality going down, I'm not willing to let them off the hook for *anything* The last thing they need is to get a nice warm feeling that might even remotely lead them to believe they are doing ANYTHING right.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 372
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From: Honolulu, HI
06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
Spots are Tiny
I hear you. Realistically, the spots were so small I didn't even notice them at delivery. One of those things you only notice when washing the car. They are less than 1 mm in size. Then when I noticed them, I figured what the heck, I'll try claying them and in about 15 min, they were all gone, so it wasn't worth the hassle.
Jeff
Jeff
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 258
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From: Perth,Australia
Where abouts where the spots on the body. It may be from fresh tar or the like, one day only when carefully washing I noticed many of these spots like you mention on the bottom half of the drivers and passengers door. They are very un noticeable but still need to be cleaned. I had to rub them with polish then carefully rub them with my nail to get them off. Took a long time, and not something i want to do again. It was especially hard because it had been a while since i had polished the car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 372
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From: Honolulu, HI
06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
Tar
You know there were definitely tar spots on the lower body, some big chunks (they're doing a lot of paving here in Honolulu). However, there were about 3 curiously on the hood (2 right at the tip and 1 high up near the windshield washer jets).
The reason I was not sure what they were is that they were totally flat. One could not feel anything when running a finger over the spots. Typically with tar, it's obviously something adhered to the paint. I tried the fingernail but was too worried about scratching the paint to try too hard. That's when I decided to try the clay. Even though it took say 20 passes with the clay, it was totally non-abrasive as one has to use the lubricant to keep the clay from sticking to the paint.
Anyway, I was just surprised to see them come off because again, I thought they were in the clear coat. I was reading about railroad dust etc, and the car did have to travel via many forms of transport to get all the way to Hawaii.
Jeff
The reason I was not sure what they were is that they were totally flat. One could not feel anything when running a finger over the spots. Typically with tar, it's obviously something adhered to the paint. I tried the fingernail but was too worried about scratching the paint to try too hard. That's when I decided to try the clay. Even though it took say 20 passes with the clay, it was totally non-abrasive as one has to use the lubricant to keep the clay from sticking to the paint.
Anyway, I was just surprised to see them come off because again, I thought they were in the clear coat. I was reading about railroad dust etc, and the car did have to travel via many forms of transport to get all the way to Hawaii.
Jeff
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 372
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From: Honolulu, HI
06' E500 Estate, '08 S65, '05 S430
Oahu
Probably nowhere. People say H3, and I've gotten my 540i up to 130 going out west but the 55 is another story.
I was hoping the ferry would come through so I could go to the Big Island where the roads are longer and less congested.
I just like the acceleration/handling and sound of the SL. That's enough for me. Realistically, where on the mainland can you legally and routinely go all-out? I lived on the mainland most of my life. There is always the risk of getting a ticket.
Oh, also, there is a track here although I've never been there to test it out.
J
I was hoping the ferry would come through so I could go to the Big Island where the roads are longer and less congested.
I just like the acceleration/handling and sound of the SL. That's enough for me. Realistically, where on the mainland can you legally and routinely go all-out? I lived on the mainland most of my life. There is always the risk of getting a ticket.
Oh, also, there is a track here although I've never been there to test it out.
J
