Designo Diamond White

[Hermit]

Recently purchased a new CLS 400 with Diamond White paint finish. As I normally do, I also purchased an official MB touch up set for covering minor stone chips etc. These touch up kits comprise of a paint stick plus a clear coat stick.
When I used the paint stick for the first time, what came out was a colourless liquid with hardly any white pigment. I took it back and received another new kit, this turned out exactly the same as the first, absolutely useless for any touching up and certainly not fit for purpose as it is virtually opaque.
A chat with a MB bodyshop technician revealed that this particular colour is a three part paint process consisting of a solid white, a pearlite effect then the clear coat. It seems the touch up kit for this colour consists of part two and three only and the main component, the solid white is missing.
I have made a complaint to MB customer service and awaiting a response, but in the meantime wonder if any other colour is affected or if anyone else has experienced the same problem

 

[chrisdean]

Is the "Designo" in effect a treatment for the standard Mercedes White? A layer applied on top of a solid white base.

 

[Hermit]

The additional layer gives the paint finish a pearl effect which is quite attractive if you get it under the right lighting conditions, but the white base shows up as a creamy colour against the standard polar white.

 

[J LAD]

I bought the same touch up stick, its crap!.
I was going to go down to my local paint supplier and see if he could mix me some up or offer advice?

 

[Hermit]

My local MB parts department agreed there is a problem and notified H.Q to be told that thousands have been sold and no complaints been made !!
MB are retailing a touch up stick which is not fit for purpose and one wonders if Trading Standards would agree. In the meantime anyone needing touch up paint have to seek assistance from third parties because the car manufacturer is unable to supply a working product. I can't believe no one else hasn't complained.
MB customer service were very patronising suggesting I didn't know how to use a paintstick, so a further complaint sent back to them, also my dealership has forwarded an email I sent on to MB UK and I await a response but don't hold out any hope of a sensible reply.

 

[Hermit]

Mercedes Official Paint Shop recommended Halfords for touch up, I tried it and it's a better mix than the Mercedes paint stick which is a waste of money

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Did you try shaking it before using?

 

[sjmaxwell]

I gave up using the thick poor colour matched Mercedes touch up when I discovered

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Touch...hash=item5af7f3c031:m:maFpKBnSpIUyLayT1-3kTTQ on eBay.

Seems to be a better match in a one touch pot that is easier to use!

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Looks like a tricky colour to touch up though. Stunning though and totally worth it