Is 040 Black for 2008 Clearcoated or Single stage paint?
We're looking at buying a 2008 C300 Sport in Black. There seems to be micro swirls in the finish viewed at certain angles under bright light. Is this paint a clear coat with nano tech particles or is it a single stage black?
It is my belief, and maybe Buellwinkle can confirm, but I think this is clearcoated with the newer ceremic clearcoat. it is not surprising to me to find swirls in a new car as most dealers do NOT know how to care for a finish prior to sale.
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It is my belief, and maybe Buellwinkle can confirm, but I think this is clearcoated with the newer ceremic clearcoat. it is not surprising to me to find swirls in a new car as most dealers do NOT know how to care for a finish prior to sale.
Bingo, it's not noticeable unless you know what to look for anwyays. Unless it becomes the norm, there is no motivation to properly care for them. What they really sell is what's on paper, for most people it seems silly to gripe over the paint.
Bottom line, it's just meat they throw around until it gets pushed off the lot, no regard for the long term whatsoever. I mean, why would they?
Heh.
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EuroLux:. Private Auto Detail
Portland, OR
We picked it up today....bought it from Ronnie Lott's dealership in Medford, OR. They spent some time and money with a private detailer. The little scratches are still there, but boy, what a shine. They only show up under very bright lighting and then only from certain angles. The black is like a dark mirror from another world. That would be HIGH reflectivity!
MBenz Tech on the 800 line said not to pick it up unless it was right and that anything the dealer said, to get it in writing! Good advice, sort of surprised us.
MBenz Tech stated that both factories in Germany went to the new nano clear coats in 2003 and the 040 Black should be clear coated on this C300.
Also heard that the clear coat will "flow" somewhat on a hot day in the sun and some of the scratches will "heal". Does anyone know about this?
Can't decide if this is news from another planet or what. Another month in our weather we'll be able to test that theory. If true there must be some awesome shine on MB's in Arizona!
MBenz Tech stated that both factories in Germany went to the new nano clear coats in 2003 and the 040 Black should be clear coated on this C300.
Also heard that the clear coat will "flow" somewhat on a hot day in the sun and some of the scratches will "heal". Does anyone know about this?
Can't decide if this is news from another planet or what. Another month in our weather we'll be able to test that theory. If true there must be some awesome shine on MB's in Arizona!
Many detailers, regardless of their status,"private", "mobile", etc... are unfamiliar with the ceramic clears that MBz is using, and use their traditional compounds & polishes on the finish. If this is the case, the results are most likely not nearly as beautiful as they could be, and that's disregarding the fact that the detailer should know this, but it's not a norm yet. I run into it every time I meet a new detailer out here, tragic really.
Ask what compounds/polishes he sued specifically(if you like), and report back.
Other compounds/polishes will cut, but it's a pain to use them on ceramic clears, and they won't be nearly as effective. Wou need a longer working time and stronger, fine milled abrasives. They are noticeably different to work with. I actually enjoy working on the new clears. I have a specific few polishes designed specifically for this purpose, they're able to cut just wonderfully on these new finishes.
Regardless, you are referring to two different clears into a single product.
Ceramiclear is what MBz is using now, but they will probably use the UV Cure/Self healing clears soon enough.
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Last edited by CharlesAFerg : 05-06-2008 at 02:04 AM.
Some PLEASE correct Me if I'm wrong, A Clear that FLOWS out in the SUN??? OH, PLEASE, What is implied here is that swirl marks will HEAL themselves, on a car that has been painted for as much as a couple of Months {from the day its painted and baked, to the time it ends up on the Dealer's lot} The paint is STILL FLOWING??? I don't believe this for a SECOND!!!!!!!!
Thank You for your post. We will contact the detailer and find out what was used. The dealership is fairly new.
Let me tell you, I'm completely jealous. No doubt about that. Congrats on your purchase, you'll receive many envious looks.
While we're on the topic of paint, has anybody ever worked on the old BMW E34 paint from the 80s/90s? My cars clear is unbelievably resilient, and the only compounds/polishes that seem to be effective on this old stuff is the new line for the hardened CC.
Some PLEASE correct Me if I'm wrong, A Clear that FLOWS out in the SUN??? OH, PLEASE, What is implied here is that swirl marks will HEAL themselves, on a car that has been painted for as much as a couple of Months {from the day its painted and baked, to the time it ends up on the Dealer's lot} The paint is STILL FLOWING??? I don't believe this for a SECOND!!!!!!!!
Ha, lively post.
Well, it's actually cured by UV - which seems to have a variety of benefits, such as faster curing time, less VOC emissions like the liquids. Yet, I don't believe itis designed for the sun, but even higher temperatures than what it can produce. It must be resilient if it can handle the kind of heat that makes a hot black hood in the arizona sun seem lukewarm. I don't know the temperatures it's designed for, but I'd guess that it's still not disclosed to the public. I'd love more info on it.
Overall though, it's not "still flowing" necessarily, it must be heated or exposed to a certain level of UV. I'm honestly not surprised with this technology at all, are you familiar with those new self-healing metals, memory metals that can be bent and spring right back to their exact original position? YouTube - memory metal
& YouTube - nitinol wire
Is 040 Black for 2008 Clearcoated or Single stage paint? 
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