I am considering the purchase of a 2013 SL 63 with the "cerussite gray magno - metallic finish". Does anyone on the site have experience with this finish? How hard is it to maintain?

OOPS. I meant "matte" finish

 

well, its hard to deal with. I would have to see the car before I bought it. And it has to be perfect, or you have to repaint. If it is perfect, you have to get it wrapped with matte clear bra before you drive it.
If there is any flaw, it has to be repainted, there is no way to fix any flaw without repainting. You cannot rub or sand or buff, or wax. it has to be repainted. And it is very very hard to match to the car, chances are you will not match without painting large sections to match

 

Thank you for your quick response. Can you run the car through a car wash? If hand washed, what type of soap (with or without soluble wax) would you recommend?

 

never anything but pressure water. never touch it with anything, except, fluffy mit or microfiber cloth.
Meguires crystal car wash is good. never anything with any additives or fillers. wash with soft mit or mf towel, dry with mf towel.
rub softly always

 

Can you use a California duster or will it scratch the finish?

 

I guess. But I would rather wipe softly with a wet towel and dry with a wet towel, than to rub anything dry. I also blow with a leaf blower alot

 

Thank you.

 

I have a 2009 SL63 AMG IWC Edition with a Cashmere White Matte Finish. I was told by many how "fragile" and "difficult" this finish is to maintain, clean, wash, etc., but I must say nothing has proven to be further from the truth. I wash the car once a month with Chemical Guys "Satin Matte Finish Car Wash" (it contains NO WAXES AT ALL) and keep it clean on a weekly basis with wipe downs using Chemical Guys "Matte Finish Detailing Spray". Both can be found at www.chemicalguys.com. I bought the car from the original owner a few months ago and it only has about 12,000 miles on it. There were 2 areas near the front right corner where the car must have barely come in contact with another vehicle or something and the light contact resulted in a minor amount of (reddish) paint transfer. Really small, but bothersome to me nonetheless. Matte finishes are really just Matte Clear Coat on top of regularly sprayed colors, so waxing them or using polishing compound WILL shine up the Matte Clear Coat. So, I took a very small amount of polishing compound on a clean microfiber rag and being very careful just rubbed the red spots lightly and was able to buff them right out without "shining up" the Clear Coat.

The finish on the car looks fantastic.

 

Thats great, on white. But darker colors show the gloss alot worse. Its a real chance to rub any compound on a matte finish. So be careful, and think twice

 

Yes, I would agree with what you’re saying, and I didn’t really think about that since my car is white. I think it makes sense that darker matte colors would show the gloss more readily, I think you are correct.

 

I find its safe to start with a cleaner like 409, simple green. If that doesnt get it, prep or wax and grease remover. Lastly acrylic enamel reducer.
If you have to chance any rubbing, use a really wet polishing compound or swirl remover