German Paint

[repo]

At the car dealership I work at we have had a "problem" car that every time it has been buffed in the past, it has looked terrible in a week. (Mercedes C320)
Every time it had been buffed before it had been buffed with automagic chemicals and sealed with a paint sealant.

Our old detailer who now works sales was told by our local paint supply store that the clear coats used on most German cars can NOT be buffed and that the only thing you can do it chemically clean and fill the scratches. He was also told that wax will not bond to the paint.

I called his bluff and started working on with #84 and a rotary. After 3 passes with the 84 at 1400 rpm the finish looked almost perfect, there were still a few deeper swirls (I am going to get some Diamond Cut 2.0 tomorrow) Then I followed it with 80 and it is nearly swirl free. I called back the old detailer and asked him to take a look and he claims I have only cleaned and filled the swirls and after a few washes it will look just like it used to.

I want to know if there is a true difference and what is the best way to tackle German paint.

[Bence]

Re: German Paint

Just make him a demo rubdown with Prepsol or isopropyl alcohol. That will reveal the true paint condition.

[the other pc]

Re: German Paint

Many (most? all new?) Mercedes are painted with PPG’s CeramiClear scratch resistant coatings (which are American paints by the way).

Whoever told your guy that they couldn’t be buffed or waxed is clueless. You’re on the right track.

I haven’t worked on many myself so I won’t try to give specific product recommendations but the normal process that Meguiar’s always recommends, starting mild and working up until you hit the right combo, will get you there.


PC

[repo]

Re: German Paint

I forgot to add I wiped it down with adhesive remover afterwards and it was still swirl free.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: German Paint

After chemically stripping the paint, finish the process...

That is, after compounding what else are you going to do? Compounding is only the first step in an aggressive multi-step process. take the car, or this section you're demonstrating on all the way through the process and then see how it looks because in the real world that's what's going to be done, or should be done anyways.

[repo]

Re: German Paint

Mike I am doing

#85 (on the rougher panels) 1200-1500 rpm
#84 1200 rpm (as many applications needed to get rid of the deeper scratches)
#80 1000rpm
#80 with the DA on 5 (as many applications needed to get rid of the swirls)
Then 2 coats of NXT or Carnuba applied with the DA

[sprbst]

Re: German Paint

my friend own's a sl500(black) and from the previous detailer he was just hiding the swirls and scratches. Then i took a crack at it with da100, clayed,#83, #80 followed up with G.C paste.all swirls and scratches are gone(took about 6 hours) but the results were worth it.