Clearcoat or Not?

[ptaylor_9849]

My girlfriend is buying a jet black 2004 Mercedes C320. While at the dealership, I mentioned that I am looking forward to getting this car home and polishing it thoroughly.

Then the salesman said " Just remember, "Mercedes jet black has no clear coat". Then I thought maybe he`s right since Mercedes black doesn`t seem to have orange peel that many other cars have. So friends, I have two questions. Does this car have a clear coat and if not, how will that change my approach to polishing it?



Thanks alot,



Patrick

[David Fermani]

My girlfriend is buying a jet black 2004 Mercedes C320. While at the dealership, I mentioned that I am looking forward to getting this car home and polishing it thoroughly.

Then the salesman said " Just remember, "Mercedes jet black has no clear coat". Then I thought maybe he`s right since Mercedes black doesn`t seem to have orange peel that many other cars have. So friends, I have two questions. Does this car have a clear coat and if not, how will that change my approach to polishing it?



Thanks alot,



Patrick



Your sales person is wrong! Yes, it has clear coat. It`s actually ceramic clear coat.

[brwill2005]

Many pure black colors (non metallic) are non-clear coated. You can check by wiping the paint with a white towel and a polish to see if the color transfers to the towel.

[David Fermani]

What black car painted in the last 5 years wasn`t 2 stage/clearcoated?

[brwill2005]

I could not say right off the top of my head, but why is it you always think you know everything?

[David Fermani]

I could not say right off the top of my head, but why is it you always think you know everything?

I don`t know everything, that`s why I asked you for the answers? You stated something that I didn`t know. As far as Mercedes, I know they`re all clearcoated. What car that you speak of isn`t clearcoated? It`s a simple question. Do you know the answer?

[brwill2005]

All I know is, I have worked on pure black cars that are not clear coated. One was a saab, not quite sure what year it was. Maybe I should have said `some` pure black cars are not clear coated. BTW, it is the tone of your questions. I never said the Mercedes is definitely single stage; only that it may be. I also told him the way to check, which is really the only real way to know.

[David Fermani]

Back in the late 80`s clearcoat was introduced on the OEM level. By the mid 90`s every car produced/painted via a production line was converted to 2-stage finishing. Saab`s (even black ones) fall into the same category as having 2-stage/clearcoated finish. If you buffed a vehicle and your pad is black, it`s most likely from oxidation/contamination and not the base coat. I confirmed this with Sherman Williams and Finish Master.

[brwill2005]

What ever you say.

[Bigpoppa3346]

It is hard to believe it`s SS. The only SS car I *ever* did was an 86` red Porsche. Note that I don`t really do that many cars (a handfull every month), but I couldn`t imagine there are many cars 10 years old and younger with SS paint.

[01bluecls]

Having done a few non-metallic black cars never ran into a 2000 and newer model without a clear coat.



2004 Merc CLK55 AMG Black non-metallic

http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/90416-04-clk-55-amg-just-front-end-now-15-pics.html



05 Gallardo and 01 Merc E320 Both Black non-metallic

http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/90347-05-lambo-gallardo-01-e320-both-black-both-owned-me-60-pics.html



2006 Porsche 911 C4S Conv BLack non-metallic

http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/89685-2006-porsche-911-c4s-convertible-black.html



2003 Merc SL500 Black non-metallic

http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/92195-03-mercedes-sl500-black.html



Those are a few black ones I did this year. I seriously doubt a 2004 Merc C-Class does not have clear coat on the jet black color.

[ben_r_]

Every newer car has a clear coat unless its been repainted! NEVER believe ANYTHING someone who it trying to sell you something tells you! Rule number one!

[imported_Puckman]

I thought the MB ceramiclear was introduced for the 2005 model year and later. Just a question for those that might know the definitive answer. In any event, I have 2 customers with MB "Swarz" Black (2001 E320 and 2007 E55) and both are definately clearcoated. Just wanted to offer my experience.

[imported_grease]

Yea, I don`t think the 2004 has the ceramiclear. Just the normal cc.

[cjl71]

If you find a C before the paint code that will indicate that it has ceramic clear coat. Most all Mercedes after 1999 have this. If all else fails check the paint code.:buffing: Have a great day.