Can a scratch on a ceramic coat be repaired?

[V6GBJ]

I have just bought a 2016 SL400 which was coated at the MB dealership when new. There is one small 1 inch scratch on an otherwise immaculate body. Can this be repaired (easily or otherwise) ? Thanks for your help and experience.

 

[LeeJV]

if you can feel the scratch with your finger nail then the panel will need painting again, if not then it might come out with a machine polish, either way you will have to have the panel coated with the ceramic again

 

[Burtonization23]

Depends how fussy you are and where the scratch is located. if the scratch is not near a edge or crease then a light correction/ fine grade or wetsanding will take the edge of scratch out improve it but wont remove it fully if your fingernail catches it. check your local detailer as they will be accredited to re coat once they've met your standards as i doubt you will be looking to respray a panel or two for this defect.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

if you can feel the scratch with your finger nail then the panel will need painting again, if not then it might come out with a machine polish, either way you will have to have the panel coated with the ceramic again

Presumably if you are having a panel retreated, you should redo the whole car as the coatings will be different ages. By the looks of it, ceramic coatings can get very expensive if you have one of the pro multi hundred £ coatings done and need to correct a small scratch or minor stone chips.

 

[Burtonization23]

Presumably if you are having a panel retreated, you should redo the whole car as the coatings will be different ages. By the looks of it, ceramic coatings can get very expensive if you have one of the pro multi hundred £ coatings done and need to correct a small scratch or minor stone chips.

No way, The car has just been bought so worst case the reapplied coating is a few months fresher so just keep it to the panel at the most. I apply many coatings and from many body shops you will need to refine the panel so its uniform with the rest of the vehicle then re-coat and cure and the vehicle has full protection again.

 

[John N]

I have just bought a 2016 SL400 which was coated at the MB dealership when new. There is one small 1 inch scratch on an otherwise immaculate body. Can this be repaired (easily or otherwise) ? Thanks for your help and experience.

What Coating was used?

 

[Deleted member 126251]

No way, The car has just been bought so worst case the reapplied coating is a few months fresher so just keep it to the panel at the most. I apply many coatings and from many body shops you will need to refine the panel so its uniform with the rest of the vehicle then re-coat and cure and the vehicle has full protection again.

It is a 2016 car.....coated at the dealership when new. Probably not the best quality coating and likely reaching its "use by" date.

 

[ShaunB]

I have just bought a 2016 SL400 which was coated at the MB dealership when new. There is one small 1 inch scratch on an otherwise immaculate body. Can this be repaired (easily or otherwise) ? Thanks for your help and experience.

I'd say just mask the scratch with something.
I noticed a very small scratch on my wifes A class - cavansite blue.
Touch up paint would have been a nightmare to apply, so I bought a box of crayola crayons and used one which was a close match.
It covered it up fantastically well and only cost a couple of pounds

 

[Burtonization23]

It is a 2016 car.....coated at the dealership when new. Probably not the best quality coating and likely reaching its "use by" date.

If its direct from mercedes it will be starguard, which could last a few years. If when rinsing the vehicle after washing you are still getting the water to bead and sheet of the surfaces then the panels are still protected and to your judgement your happy with the clarity of the vehicle then you could use a top coat add a bit of gloss but maintain the slickness of the surface.
Top coats are designed to go ontop of existing coatings.

So to what you require this will be a option for you once your satisfied with the work done to your defect.

 

[V6GBJ]

What Coating was used?

It was Star Guard. I assume that this was the coating promoted and sold by dealerships. I must say it's still in very good condition - the car gleams when clean! The scratch is quite superficial - I don't catch a nail in it and I can only just feel it with a fingertip.

 

[V6GBJ]

If its direct from mercedes it will be starguard, which could last a few years. If when rinsing the vehicle after washing you are still getting the water to bead and sheet of the surfaces then the panels are still protected and to your judgement your happy with the clarity of the vehicle then you could use a top coat add a bit of gloss but maintain the slickness of the surface.
Top coats are designed to go ontop of existing coatings.

So to what you require this will be a option for you once your satisfied with the work done to your defect.

Thanks all for the tips. Maybe I'll try a detailing sealant first to see if that's enough to hide or disguise it.

 

[John N]

It was Star Guard. I assume that this was the coating promoted and sold by dealerships. I must say it's still in very good condition - the car gleams when clean! The scratch is quite superficial - I don't catch a nail in it and I can only just feel it with a fingertip.

I THINK I have some Star Guard somewhere in my Garage, I will have a look later, the only problem is getting it to you!

 

[V6GBJ]

I THINK I have some Star Guard somewhere in my Garage, I will have a look later, the only problem is getting it to you!

John, it's kind of you to even look, let alone send it!

 

[V6GBJ]

If its direct from mercedes it will be starguard, which could last a few years. If when rinsing the vehicle after washing you are still getting the water to bead and sheet of the surfaces then the panels are still protected and to your judgement your happy with the clarity of the vehicle then you could use a top coat add a bit of gloss but maintain the slickness of the surface.
Top coats are designed to go ontop of existing coatings.

So to what you require this will be a option for you once your satisfied with the work done to your defect.

I've got some Gtecniq C2v3. I guess I could use this as an extra layer? Gareth

 

[Burtonization23]

I've got some Gtecniq C2v3. I guess I could use this as an extra layer? Gareth

Yes thats fine, i use C2 as my spray sealant after every wash so thats perfect.

 

[V6GBJ]

Yes thats fine, i use C2 as my spray sealant after every wash so thats perfect.

Many thanks!

 

[Dazsw]

I doubt very much the coating will be in good condition if it was coated years ago, if its still even present.

Most cars when coated within the year although the coating is still there, water barely beads as it has never been correctly cleaned, so ends up full of contaminants just like paintwork before it.

Get the scratch fixed, then an individual panel can be re-treated, or better yet, fix the scratch then just get the whole car re done for peace of mind.

 

[V6GBJ]

I doubt very much the coating will be in good condition if it was coated years ago, if its still even present.

Most cars when coated within the year although the coating is still there, water barely beads as it has never been correctly cleaned, so ends up full of contaminants just like paintwork before it.

Get the scratch fixed, then an individual panel can be re-treated, or better yet, fix the scratch then just get the whole car re done for peace of mind.

The car still gleams and water beading is very good:-

 

[Deleted member 126251]

View attachment 94021
The car still gleams and water beading is very good:-

Might be other products on top of the "ceramic".

 

[ShaunB]

I doubt very much the coating will be in good condition if it was coated years ago, if its still even present.

Most cars when coated within the year although the coating is still there, water barely beads as it has never been correctly cleaned, so ends up full of contaminants just like paintwork before it.

Get the scratch fixed, then an individual panel can be re-treated, or better yet, fix the scratch then just get the whole car re done for peace of mind.

Probably depends on how good the coating is in the first place, but yeah aftercare plays an important part.
My own car is to get an inspection every year as its got warranty for 7 years - gtechniq crystal serum ultra.
But a ceramic coating isn't all that hydrophobic, it need something on top of it to help with beading, in my case gtechniq exo V4 was applied on top of the coating.

The company that applied mine said all I need to do is apply gtechniq citrus snow foam every 6 months really, or if I notice the beading dropping off.