watsons

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Please be reminded not to pull up the wipers when they are at the stationary position. Even though it is possible to pull up the left-side wiper using a little bit of force, it will scratch the edge of the bonnet.

For my case, I think the cleaner did pull up the wipers to clean the windshield daily, and I just found a 1-cm scratch...

In my opinion... this is a design deficiency...

bclark

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Thanks for the heads up; news to me
p.s. sorry for the damage you incurred

watsons

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You're welcome~

I am bringing the car for checkup in two weeks time, hope the dealer can help to remove the scratch...

alroumi

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I got the same thing either the dealership damaged / caused a scratch or the driver.

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06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG
06 Porsche Cayenne S
07 Jaguar XKR Coupe'

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watsons

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This seems inevitable...

-1-

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I agree. I try to be careful when washing the windshield.

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--------SLK 55 ///AMG---------
THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

etyu

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From the Owner's manual:

"The windshield wipers must be in a verical position before folding them away from the windshield. They could otherwise damage the hood.

Never open the hood when the wiper arms are folded forward.

Switch on the ignition.
Turn combination switch to wiper setting II.
With wiper arms in vertical position, switch off the ignition."

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Eddy

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Duo-Art

Ah yes, the owner's manual. I wonder how many people read it? A peal off sticker on the windshield (inside) warning about the wiper situation wouldn't be a bad idea.

JimDaugherty

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The wipers have the same issue with my '00 Acura 3.2TL as my SLicK 350.
Pay attention. Enjoy your ride.

I bought my SKL from the MB dealer north of Boston, MA over the internet. They trucked it to me in Nov 2006 (open trailer, in the snow and muck). Everything I know, I read in the manual. And SLKWorld!

412driver

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Quick fix: Put duct tape on the hood, that way you won't have to worry about a scratch.(((((((((I kin see them folks now wid a roll oh duct tape sittin on tha hood of tha car, ridin down tha road cipherin" how is this gonna keep tha hood frum gittin scratched")))))))))

Im soooo dang funny, even on Sunday at wurk.

watsons

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I wonder whether we should do this... the windshield may be scratched if we just move the wiper arms when it's not raining. Also, I have somebody who helps to clean the car daily, and it's too troublesome to do this everyday!

etyu

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Here's what I do when washing and drying the car:

Gently lift the windshield wiper arm PARTIALLY ONLY, without it touching the hood. The windshield wiper (rubber) would have lifted enough so you can slip your wash mitt with soap underneath to clean the windshield and also the rubber at the same time. Use the same technique for drying.

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Eddy

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watsons

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That's what I have been doing since finding out the scratch... but I have to tell each and everyone who will clean my car.

By the way, what is the better way to remove the scratch? Thanks.

DansSlk

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I always use the method stated in the manual since i only clean the wipers when i clean the car the screen is already wet but i would not expect it to hurt even if it was dry and being operated to near vertical, you could always fire a bit of screen wash onto the screen at the same time that would stop the squeak.

The point of the tuck-away the wipers do when parked is to try and hide them from view from both the outside and inside of the car and the best way to do that is to allow them to drop into the firewall.

Same on a lot of new cars now, if you watch the wipers work they first lift themselves using 2 arms then wipe, return to horizontal and drop down i quite like it i hate windscreen wipers generally so its a cool little "feature".

I don't agree its a deficiency in design while i appreciate 95% of owners don't bother it does highlight the need to read the manual if you don't you will never know all the cool little things hidden away inside your car and can as highlighted here can help prevent damage to your vehicle, watsons sorry to hear about the scratch it is a shame when stuff like this happens i know but it could be worse hey.

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Duo-Art

In the 2 1/2 years that I have owned my SLK, I haven't let anyone else wash my car. Fortunately, I learned about the possibility of damage before I got my car thanks to a thread on Benzworld in 2004. Every new owner should be given a list of the major SLK forums. Indespensible information. Thanks everyone.

watsons

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Just talked to the dealer, and he immediately knew what the problem is. He mentioned that many SLK owners in Hong Kong are having the same scratch on their cars, and he will help to cover the scratch using touch-up paint when I take the car to service next month!

etyu

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Probably the same technique to touch up small 1-2mm rock chips on the paint. Here's what I do:

I use the touch up paint from MB. (Warning: they are not cheap). I do not use the applicator brush that comes with it but use a no. 00 fine point brush to pick up paint from the applicator brush (after properly mixing the paint in its container by shaking up-and-down, left-and-right; it comes with an agitator inside so you can hear it click with each movement; I usually do this for a full 5 minutes AFTER hearing the agitator moving, to allow for adequate mixing of the paint).

Also have a small container (disposable medicine cup is handy) with some lacquer thinner in it.

After picking up paint using the fine point brush, I then apply the paint carefully with one or two passes. It may not cover the whole scratch/chip right away but that's okay. Rinse the paint off the brush in the lacquer thinner, dry the brush on paper towel and pick up more paint from the touch-up paint applicator brush. Slowly build up the layers. Allow the first coat to dry for 5 -10 minutes (you can speed this up with hair dryer at low heat) before applying the next layer/coat.

If the paint seems to be at a higher level than the surrounding OEM paintwork (i.e., looks like a small blob), allow it to dry and it can be leveled gently (after 30 minutes) with a small flat plastic tool. I use any small plastic card with a nice straight edge -- like an old credit card -- hold this on the surface and gently scrape across in one direction only.

Hope the above helps.

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watsons

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Wow... That's professional!

Thanks, Eddy!

etyu

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You're welcome mate. I forgot to mention: wax the area after the paint has thoroughly dried overnight.

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Zeiser50

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To minimize injuries to people which can be hurt by a car, the wipers are now hidden on recent cars.