Oh no...now what! - Benzworld.org

DReisbord · 04-11-2008, 05:27 AM

O.k...original problem: Bad touch up done by hand with a paintstick.
Then...I brushed on some MB clear coat (paintstick) to bring the touched up area level with paint.
Then..... ended up with lumps.
Then tried to level down lumps w/wet 2000 grit.

Now, I've got clearcoat lumps surrounded by dead flat paint.
I think I cut right through the clearcoat surrounding the original touched up blemish.....big time.
Can I somehow polish back up the flat paint surrounding the original touched up scratch?

Just great, I took a blemish the size of a half dollar, and turned it into a mess about 3inX4in.
HELP PLEASE !!!

Jayhawk · 04-11-2008, 10:28 AM

I'd take it to a good body shop and see what they recommend... I think you have a problem that cannot be easily repaired by an amature. Good luck. Let us know what happens.

DReisbord · 04-11-2008, 01:59 PM

WOW.....I think I got lucky.
Dabbed a bit of polishing compound on the area I thought I had ruined and PRESTO the paint was instantly returned to a mirror finish.
Now my quandry is whether or not to leave an honest touched up scratch on an all original car with no bodywork done, ever, or to have the area re-sprayed.
It's a 1995 E320 cabriolet (otherwise mint) and I fear people frown on cars with bodywork done on them.
Would a little paintwork lower the cars value?
What do you think I should do?
Thanks fellow enthusiasts, your opinions matter!
Gratefully,
David

**Jason@Adams** · 04-14-2008, 12:48 PM

Sounds like a professional needs to have a look at it. Always a bummer. I myself have done more harm than good when touching up paint, makes you wish you'd just left it alone!

**ByByeAmericanPie** · 04-14-2008, 01:31 PM

If repainting can EVER be avoided, then by all means, avoid it. If the touched up scratch looks acceptable, then let it be. NO matter how good the paint job is, and no matter what anyone tells you, as far as dealers are concerned, it does devalue the car and they can tell...believe me, even a good paint job can be detected by a trained person.

DReisbord · 04-16-2008, 07:14 AM

Thanks guys.
Although just a little scratch (looking at it again, it's smaller than it was in my mind..only about 1.5X2in) the body shop wants about $1200.00 to repair it. Apparently there is no seam, or natural place to end the re-spray, thus they have to spray a pretty large area.
So....I'm reluctant to spend so much, and... at the same time lower the cars value.
Truth is I love my car so much that I can't imagine ever selling it. So I guess it just comes down to whether or not I can live with it.
Most likely, I'll follow your advice and leave what is otherwise unblemished paint all original.
Thanks again for your advice.
David