When did MB start and stop using water based paint
Looking ahead a little bit to my next purchase.
When did MB start using water based paint and do they still use it or if not when did they stop using water based and go to something more protective?
Gradually from around year 1996 for most of their vehicles, but for the G, I think it was probably around 2000 or 2001.
They are still using it.
However, for their car range, from 2003, they went back to using fully galvanised body panels and they found out and solved many of the original issues with the new technology, like bacteria growing in the paint primer vats and prevention good adhesion. They were also using pre-zinc coated sheet steel, which obviously would end-up with exposed edges when the panels were cut or where holes were punched for locks etc. This in conjunction with poor primer adhesion, thinner paint coatings and elimination of mastic beads around door seams lead to bad rust issues.
However, I think the G always maintained galvanised panels, so problems were not as bad as with their other cars.
Im no expert but used to do body repair around the time of the water based paint plan
I would honestly say at the end of 1991 water based paint started to be used on mercedes but cant say for g wagons as they are made in austria
So here goes my ten pence worth
I like my retro cars
Looked at about 30 190 mercedes and all the 1991 vehicles had mint bodywork but had all suffered a repair or panel of some description
Most 1992 models and onwards all suffered from more rustworm than the older cars
They phased out 2k non water based basecoat about the time i said to limit iscocyanates (spelt wrong) in the atmosphere
So basically its a water based paint with a high iscocyanate top coat of laquer that has more isco than the base coat
So if a chip on the laquer occurs the base coat is ready to rust
In theory it works i suppose
Water based paints are ohhh so easy to match the colour for a repair but when you spray it on it looks way wrong until its dry. If it runs first thing you do is use water and flatting wet and dry by mistake and its ruined
No probs get a sponge and wash it off and go again
I did this about 300 times by accident and im not thick its just a habit after 1000s of paint jobs
If i do a rust repair or welded plate i use normal 2k paint but its usually only available as a commercial paint for trucks
I think it is because people prefer 2k and have to say its for a truck etc or waterbase base coat is for cars and also sometimes water base paint is the only one they supply for that paint code
Why modern trucks have it i dont know as most parts are fibreglass so wont rust anyway
Renault clio just come out. On colour change from flat paint to water based base and laquer top coat
Got paint sprayed new bonnet
Looked mint no bits at all
super nice job good match and no bits whatsoever. My best job from gun to car with no work
Week later customer appears and says im not too happy with repair. Are you kidding me it was the best ive seen
Went outside and bonnet was matt blue
Yep you guessed it water base and laquer but i was assured it was one coat blue job done
So on all the chassis number and paint codes they were wrong in what they supplied.
The repair i did to wing was instantly blue telling me it was a flat colour and just spray it on and its done. The car had never been repaired before 1 it was obvious 2 it was nearly new so i got the wrong paint supplied but it was 1992 so i think waterbase base coat is late 1991 but g wagons or wagens could be different
We all learn lol
Enough of that crap. If you have any fine scratches on your car.
Get some 1500 grade wet and dry and some water. Smooth the scratch so carefully until just gone and polish lightly with some very fin polish until shine appears. Dont use Tcut you need a finer polish
So if it sands with 1500 wet and dry that is wetted well with water and its white its laquered if not its flat colour and thats the finish
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