Mercedes Paint - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Kestas · #1 07-11-2003, 01:24 PM

What type of paint does Mercedes use for their vehicles?... enamel?... acrylic lacquer?

mike690003 · #2 07-11-2003, 09:22 PM

enamel?? Ha! No its a base coat/clear coat paintjob, I think they use "Sikens" brand paint.

Peter Fearing · #3 07-11-2003, 10:04 PM

All car manufactures use a water based paint process. This is because of the EPA. There is no telling if its better than the "old days" but I notice a lot more chipping. MB paint is at least as good as Ford or Chevy. There's nothing you can do.

mike690003 · #4 07-11-2003, 10:16 PM

Oh I forgot to add, my friend(an old man) that owns a body shop told me that Mercedes actually uses regular brand paint. Dupont,PPG or Sherwin Williams(now that they've merged with chrysler). The paints are very similar in quality, the real finished look is in the brand of clear coat they use. The mercedes clear coat is rather costly. That is why dealer paint is more expensive.

daddiojiggy · #5 07-11-2003, 10:50 PM

i know that lincoln is trying to use a dry paint system and then bake the paint to give you an enamel-like finish

suginami · #6 07-12-2003, 12:21 AM

I believe 1993 is the last year MB used oil base paint.

1994 is the first year of water base paint.

Mercedes uses Glasurit paint, which is owned by BASF.

mbtjc · #7 07-16-2003, 11:04 AM

Is this a case of the gov't making a good thing not so good? Was oil based better? Since I'm guessing my 126 has oil based paint (non clearcoat, too)....is there any way I could get a factory spec repaint, or am I stuck with water based clearcoat?

daddiojiggy-- sounds like powdercoating.

suginami · #8 07-16-2003, 12:36 PM

I don't think you'll find anyone who will say that water based paint is better.

You can still get oil based paint, but you'll have to go to a country where the environmental regulations are more lax.

I know that Hi-Power took his car down to Mexico City to get repainted. It still cost about $2,000, but is probably one of the best paint jobs I have ever seen.

nthach · #9 07-25-2003, 03:40 AM

IN some areas where the air quality board tightly manages things, you may be able to go to the next county over and get older paint, if it exists. I heard from the DuPont jobber in Marin that I can get DuPont Centari enamel in Sonoma County

leoreyes69 · #10 07-25-2003, 04:13 AM

I live by the border i could go and ask around for u if u want me to

omegabenz · #11 07-25-2003, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by suginami
I know that Hi-Power took his car down to Mexico City to get repainted. It still cost about $2,000, but is probably one of the best paint jobs I have ever seen.

Some mexicans paint extremely well.

I also know a guy, german, that has all the set up like mercedes does. He really lays down paint really well.

placo1 · #12 07-31-2003, 11:07 AM

I was discussing this exact topic with a body shop yesterday. I need to track down some touch up paint for my lower plastic trim on the 500 and want to get an exact match if possible.

He stated that in the early 90's MB was using a high end laquer based paint with polyurethane blend??

Does that sound right? He also said that in CA regular bodyshops can't use this paint due to regulations. Custom paintshops apparently can spray the paint but it has to be sourced in Nevada or possibly Europe due to environmental laws in CA.

Anyone know where Glasurit can be sourced?

omegabenz · #13 07-31-2003, 01:37 PM

you can buy paint pens to touch up at the dealer. At least thats where I got mine.

suginami · #14 07-31-2003, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by placo1
I was discussing this exact topic with a body shop yesterday. I need to track down some touch up paint for my lower plastic trim on the 500 and want to get an exact match if possible.

He stated that in the early 90's MB was using a high end laquer based paint with polyurethane blend??

Does that sound right? He also said that in CA regular bodyshops can't use this paint due to regulations. Custom paintshops apparently can spray the paint but it has to be sourced in Nevada or possibly Europe due to environmental laws in CA.

Anyone know where Glasurit can be sourced?

Up until 1993, Mercedes used an oil-based, polyurethane paint. I don't know if it was a laquer blend or not, but it could be.

Beginning in 1994, they no longer used this paint.

Glasurit is available almost anywhere. Both shops that I had my paint touched up already carried Glasurit.

Glasurit is owned by BASF.

placo1 · #15 07-31-2003, 01:57 PM

Is the Glasurit being used today the same formulation as was used in 92? I would imagine it's changed due to environmental laws.

In the interest of keeping the car exactly the same I want to try and source the exact original paint. I actually need this paint to respray underneath my front bumper (portion facing the ground only) which is scuffed due to bottoming out. I'm discussing have the bumper removed and taped off an having a restorer redo this. If the match is perfect I would use the remainder of the paint to touch up any chips/scratches on the lower cladding.

Any idea if todays paints will provide the exact same finish/appearance?