- Joined
- Oct 15, 2008
- Messages
- 2,751
- Car
- wme451 a124 r129 s211 r230
Hello Peeps, it's been a while!
I read with interest the recent 124 cladding thread, and I have a 94 beryl blue cab, with contrasting, 'satin-finished' cladding. The previous owner had the bumpers painted prior to selling, but the match was imperfect to the other panels, so this was my remit to an MB approved paintshop, to match the bumpers.
Looking at the finished work yesterday, I just have another variation on a theme. It would appear that some of the other cladding has had paintwork over the years, and the o/s may be darker than the n/s, though this is difficult to see, as ambient lighting can play a part in this. A panel from the n/s was used for the match. Either way, the colour difference is still apparent, and on the bumpers the lacquer finish is different, feeling coarse and non deflective to the touch. The paint also lacks the depth and sheen of the other panels. Three coats of paint, and two coats of twopack satin lacquer have been used in accordance with MB approved paint manufacturer's specs.
I am now told that the rest of the panels must be wrong, and the only way to get a match is to paint the rest of the cladding, although they will confer with the paint manufacturer. They are convinced the cladding is not meant to have a glossy sheen, and that the other panels only do so because of years of polishing. I disagree.
Someone has suggested that they may have used paint for metal instead of plastic. Are there specific types? It seems to me that a final gloss lacquer coat should seal the coarse lacquer coats, but I'd value any comments and technical expertise, as I need to discuss the way forward with the paintshop this morning, and the car is due elsewhere soon.
Pics taken with my phone in dull and variable lighting yesterday:
I read with interest the recent 124 cladding thread, and I have a 94 beryl blue cab, with contrasting, 'satin-finished' cladding. The previous owner had the bumpers painted prior to selling, but the match was imperfect to the other panels, so this was my remit to an MB approved paintshop, to match the bumpers.
Looking at the finished work yesterday, I just have another variation on a theme. It would appear that some of the other cladding has had paintwork over the years, and the o/s may be darker than the n/s, though this is difficult to see, as ambient lighting can play a part in this. A panel from the n/s was used for the match. Either way, the colour difference is still apparent, and on the bumpers the lacquer finish is different, feeling coarse and non deflective to the touch. The paint also lacks the depth and sheen of the other panels. Three coats of paint, and two coats of twopack satin lacquer have been used in accordance with MB approved paint manufacturer's specs.
I am now told that the rest of the panels must be wrong, and the only way to get a match is to paint the rest of the cladding, although they will confer with the paint manufacturer. They are convinced the cladding is not meant to have a glossy sheen, and that the other panels only do so because of years of polishing. I disagree.
Someone has suggested that they may have used paint for metal instead of plastic. Are there specific types? It seems to me that a final gloss lacquer coat should seal the coarse lacquer coats, but I'd value any comments and technical expertise, as I need to discuss the way forward with the paintshop this morning, and the car is due elsewhere soon.
Pics taken with my phone in dull and variable lighting yesterday: