I am about to get a few panels painted on my black E320.
The estimator suggested that I get the entire car Color Sanded and Buffed.
He said that it will take away some of the small visible scratches and bring back the shine.
I am skeptical about sanding the car as it will basically sand some of the clear coat away.

Does anyone have experience will this or know the pros and cons?

TIA

A few questions first - what year? Is it 040 non-metallic black or one of the metallic "blacks"? If it's 040 it is not clearcoated and a good prospect for wetsanding.

We sand and buff all the cars we paint to eliminate any nibs or excessive orange peel. I hesitate to sand a factory paint job, as they are pretty easy to buff through the clear coat. Just a good buffing with a foam pad and some medium grit compound followed up with a grey foam pad and glaze will help it a lot. Black is , of course the worst color to work with to get it really nice. But it is the prettiest when done right.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

If you're talking about a 1996 W210, you have to remember it's got 10 yr old paint. Color sanding isn't really designed for this scenario. Buffing, like Pete said (he owns a body shop), is all I'd do to 10 yr old factory paint.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Yes the car is a 96 W210, paint code 040.

I am unclear as to if this process will help the old factory paint or will hurt it.
I know the eventually I will have to repaint the entire car but the way paint shop was telling me about the process was that it would help the shine and overall apperance of the car. He may have just tried to sell me a line. I still have time before I drop off the car and so I wanted to get as much info as possible before then.

The paint is in decent condition otherwise.
There are a few light scratches that are only visible in certain angles which this process may help.

I thought MB's had one of the best factory paint jobs?

The car in question is not clearcoated. 040 black was single stage urethane through 2003 I believe. It depends on how bad it is - if it isn't that bad there really isn't a need to wet sand, just polish it and wax it.

They are probably as good as any out there, but I was just thinking of someone who doesn't do it every day,,, taking sandpaper to a cars' paint. Get a bit too agressive with the sanding and it can be a big OOPS!!! in a hurry.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

I won't be doing the sanding.
It will be done at the paint shop by professional.
They did have 1 car there that had it done and it did look good.

I've got a friend who's done this to several of his cars w/ excellent results. Then he throws a coat of clear over it.

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'64 230SL

Clearing single stage paint can be done but clear coat has it own set of problems - peeling, yellowing, clouding, cracking. Why do it? Nothing holds up over time like factory 040 single stage black.

So assuming that the shop is capable of getting good results, it should be ok right?

I still have not maid up my mind on doing this but want to by end of this week.

Do it! I wetsanded my w126 last year.

From this:


To this:

WOW!

That looks silky smooth.
Was that the original factory paint or was it re-sprayed?