Buffing Marks From Polishing Painted Surfaces - Ar98.00-P-0750-17A

Model 123, 124, 126, 129, 140, 163, 168, 170, 201, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 215, 220, 230, 240, 461

Model 463

up to model year 2019

Uneven movement (tilting) of the polishing machine with a lambskin polishing disk may cause "buffer swirls" when polishing.

Such marks may degrade the vehicle's overall appearance since they become visible on the paintwork as semicircular streaks (arrow) if (and only if) painted surfaces are exposed to sunlight or round-shaped artificial light sources.

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Rectify buffer swirls

Thoroughly wash and dry affected part or parts.
Remove any paintwork contamination with the appropriate MB cleaning agent (e.g. tar remover, insect remover).

Observe processing specifications of agent or materials on the corresponding containers because using them incorrectly can lead to insufficient working results.
Cover unpainted plastic component parts, e.g. door handles, because residue from the polishing medium cannot be completely removed (light staining).
Polish whole part with the polishing machine (speed-adjustable), a Moltopren disk and fine polishing paste.
Generally a lambskin polishing disk is not to be used.

Because polishing without polishing agent with the lambskin wheel leads to "buffer swirls".

Move the polishing machine across the areas to be polished applying light pressure (the polishing machine's own weight is sufficient); be sure not to tilt the machine. - Remove any polishing residues with a wet sponge and wipe the surface dry. - Use fine polishing paste only when the paint surface is badly scratched.
Replace the Moltopren disk dirtied with fine polishing paste with a new one and then buff the entire surface with polish with the machine until the desired luster is achieved.
Use a separate Moltopren disk for each polishing agent (fine polishing paste, polish); otherwise the polishing results will be insufficient.
Clean the polished surface with a damp polishing cloth.
A bright, milky coating will develop on the paintwork after a short drying period (5 to 15 minutes, depending on weather conditions). Clean this coating with a clean polishing cloth or non-woven polishing cloth until the painted surface is clear.
Buff polished surface manually with polish and a compact polishing sponge in a longitudinal direction (not in circles). Polishing medium residue can be removed with a damp polishing cloth. After a short drying period, rub off the milky coating with a clean polishing cloth or non-woven polishing cloth until the painted surface is clear.
In order to maintain the achieved luster and to protect the painting from premature weathering, treat the previously polished surface with gloss preserver (thin, closed film).
As soon as the gloss preserver has dried (white film), rub with a clean non-woven polishing cloth until the painted surface is clear.
- Do not polish surfaces in direct sunlight or while the hood is warm.
- Shake containers with polish and gloss preserver thoroughly before using.
- Frequently replace non-woven polishing cloth with new one to facilitate polishing and obtain optimum results (e.g. replace polishing cloth 4 to 5 times for polishing an engine hood).