[KJ447]

Hi Botto
Unfortunately not I think. I believe it’s common to all FOR metal panels on all classes of cars painted in the same factory over all years.
If the ultraviolet light theory is correct I believe that it’s just a matter of time and exposure till it catches up with you. How long that might take I've no idea, maybe never?
It’s a dilemma isn’t it?
My advice for what it’s worth.
If you don’t have an MB Warranty take one out if you can, but....it’s not cheap, £1,700! if you can’t do that I’d seriously consider selling the car. I know it’s drastic but do you want to pay for a respray at some point in the future? Of course you could get it wrapped, which I very seriously considered in Solarbeam Yellow equivalent. From a reputable company including door reveals etc. I was quoted £2,500. However I was worried that despite being protected from UV it may continue to bubble and thus put pimples in the wrap and then there was the cost of course.
Or you can take a chance like I did (but I had an MB Warranty in my pocket). Although maybe I shouldn’t speak too soon and tempt fate as my Warranty claim has yet to be approved in Germany, five weeks and waiting....
Best
TonyS

I know this doesn't help, but it might help someone out there. I had been looking UK-wide for an SLK, I initially wanted Obsidian Black, but someone found me a Fire Opal Red one and I got my head around it as it looked so nice. Fortunately, a friend works for MB and refused point blank to sell me it due to potential paint issues (would happily - and did - sell to someone else....)
Anyway, long story short, I ended up with my original Obsidian Black and am extremely happy.

 

[TonyS3]

I know this doesn't help, but it might help someone out there. I had been looking UK-wide for an SLK, I initially wanted Obsidian Black, but someone found me a Fire Opal Red one and I got my head around it as it looked so nice. Fortunately, a friend works for MB and refused point blank to sell me it due to potential paint issues (would happily - and did - sell to someone else....)
Anyway, long story short, I ended up with my original Obsidian Black and am extremely happy.

KJ447
You received some sound advice there!
TonyS

 

[TonyS3]

Fire Opal Red - Further Research
I’ve done a pretty exhaustive internet search on this problem and haven’t found an answer as to the cause.
There are many, many threads on lots of MB and other Forums around the world but no answer!
Mercedes Benz is very tight lipped and the rest is conjecture.
Overall the UV cause seems to be the favourite but other than that, who knows, only Daimler Benz.
TonyS

 

[pwgunny]

Thank you for documenting this event. I am the third owner of my SLK. When I originally shopped for an SLK, I was hunting for a white SLK 350, but an awesome MARS RED 2012 SLK350 caught my eye at a great price. I bought it knowing the issues with the Red paint, but I did a thorough examination, and found no flaws. My thoughts at the time of purchase were, if there were problems with the red paint, the issues should be present on a 7 year old car. I am reading your post and now thinking, there is still potential for my paint to fail on me. I pray my vehicle avoids this issue, but I'm already aware that my resale value will be affected by this issue. Sucks for me, but I have grown fond of my SLK and so far it has been a happy marriage. My SLK is a daily driver and purrs like a kitten. Best of luck with your respray. IMHO, they should respray the whole vehicle when it is that extensive.

 

[WhiteRabbit]

OK
Here are the pics taken today, all of the boot lid.
I took them on my IPad so hope you can see what’s going on?
TonyS

Can you actually feel the paint bubbles? They look like raised bumps from the pics you posted.

 

[TonyS3]

Can you actually feel the paint bubbles? They look like raised bumps from the pics you posted.

Yes.
They are raised bumps, like pimples, so you can feel them!
TonyS

 

[Alex3000]

Hello everybody,
my 172 FOR is from 2012 and fortunately has no such damage to the paint.
The previous owner unfortunately did not care for the paint well. :frown:
I polished the paint in several stages this year and then provided the paint with a coating.
So i know every milimeter of paint on my vehicle. :zwinkern:

I wish all FOR Driver good Luck with the paint.

Greethings Alex

More you can see here : https://alex3000blog.wordpress.com/category/slk/

 

[TonyS3]

UPDATE - AT LAST!
i was hoping to hear back from MB before Christmas 2019 that my Warranty Claim has been approved, but no luck.
February 2020 Since I still hadn’t heard anything I rang MB only to be told that my claim had been approved in Germany and I was in the queue. Slightly disappointed that they hadn’t contacted me to tell me that.
March 2020 Lockdown!
July 2020 I rang for an update to be told I was third in the queue and could be in the body shop by October? Seemed strange but the boss wasn’t there. Progress at least.
11th September 2020 I received a phone call today from the body shop boss to say he had a cancellation for Monday (write-off) and would I like to take that slot, grabbed it with both hands! YAAAAAAAY! (Apparently I was scheduled for early 2021).
So, ten months on my car is going in for paint.
I’ll keep you all posted.
TonyS

 

[Col]

UPDATE - AT LAST!
i was hoping to hear back from MB before Christmas 2019 that my Warranty Claim has been approved, but no luck.
February 2020 Since I still hadn’t heard anything I rang MB only to be told that my claim had been approved in Germany and I was in the queue. Slightly disappointed that they hadn’t contacted me to tell me that.
March 2020 Lockdown!
July 2020 I rang for an update to be told I was third in the queue and could be in the body shop by October? Seemed strange but the boss wasn’t there. Progress at least.
11th September 2020 I received a phone call today from the body shop boss to say he had a cancellation for Monday (write-off) and would I like to take that slot, grabbed it with both hands! YAAAAAAAY! (Apparently I was scheduled for early 2021).
So, ten months on my car is going in for paint.
I’ll keep you all posted.
TonyS

Good news! I sincerely hope this is the beginning of the end of your paint problems.

 

[Mugs]

Great new Tony.

 

[TonyS3]

UPDATE
Had a call today to say my car was finished and will be ready for collection tomorrow.
They sent some pics

Looks great from the pics I think, we’ll see tomorrow....
TonyS

 

[LeonardoDaBenz]

Long may it last

 

[DAVIETHESCAFF]

That's great news mate. The car is looking fantastic.

 

[galaxys]

Looks clean and New! Enjoy

 

[Mugs]

Nice one Tony, be good to see it in the Flesh when we can finally meet up again

 

[npb748r]

looks great, I love red cars - hoping it's sorted - it looks really special.

 

[wpbrown]

Looks superb!
My 2012 SLK200 in red has "pimples" on it's front wings. When it's clean and polished you wouldn't really notice, but under the fluorescent lighting of the garage quite visible. Also to the touch, it's as if they've sprayed over the top of a dust covered car. No paint peeling at all though.
My worries, is it the dreaded Fire Opal curse? I expect I have no recourse now from MB.
I did in my naivety buy the card as a trade purchase unseen at a good price. To be honest I didn't notice the paintwork as being defective, nor did anyone else. Only under closer inspection after reading about the Fire Opal issues did i see it. I can live with it as long as it doesn't get any worse, it's still a gorgeous looking car.
Does anyone know, what kind of percentage of Fire Opal cars were affected?

 

[TonyS3]

Looks superb!
My 2012 SLK200 in red has "pimples" on it's front wings. When it's clean and polished you wouldn't really notice, but under the fluorescent lighting of the garage quite visible. Also to the touch, it's as if they've sprayed over the top of a dust covered car. No paint peeling at all though.
My worries, is it the dreaded Fire Opal curse? I expect I have no recourse now from MB.
I did in my naivety buy the card as a trade purchase unseen at a good price. To be honest I didn't notice the paintwork as being defective, nor did anyone else. Only under closer inspection after reading about the Fire Opal issues did i see it. I can live with it as long as it doesn't get any worse, it's still a gorgeous looking car.
Does anyone know, what kind of percentage of Fire Opal cars were affected? View attachment 587376

Hi wp
Sorry to hear that, pimples are a classic sign of Fire Opal Red problems. Re peeling, it’s not so much the paint that peels but the lacquer coat and believe me it looks unsightly.
im no expert but I believe it will only get worse over time, the question is how long? After my initial symptoms it didn’t seem to get worse, but since apparently it’s related to ultraviolet light I think you may expect it to get worse in the summer.
MB will only help if you have a current MB Warranty, which requires a full MB service history.
i guess it’s up to you to decide if you can live with it or alternatively you pay for paintwork or you sell the car whilst the symptoms aren’t noticeable. Drastic I know but you have limited options I think.
Meantime if you love the car just enjoy it.
Best
TonyS

 

[Michael James Goderick]

I am in Australia where the sun is really hard on all car colours. I have this same issue on a 2012 SLK200 - Colour Code from Data Card is 590U - Fire Opel Red - Unilac.

Regards, James.

*Reflecting on the sad passing of Australia's Soveriegn, Queen Elizabeth II.

 

[Tanstaaflman]

31st October 2019
Rang MB Bristol to say my Fire Opal Red has gone bad. They said they’d be in touch.
1st November 2019
Got a call back from MB Bristol from their Bodyshop Repair man, explained what I had, the answer didn’t surprise me.....arranged an appointment for Monday 4th November.
Monday 4th November
Took the car in for inspection, with V5 and Service and Warranty details.
Next coming up....
TonyS

My 05 slk 55 is fire opal/mars red... does this condition appear in this model year? My paint looks great, but while she's 18 1/2 years old I have only had her for 2 weeks...