Procedures for evaluating damage locally

P98.00-0999-71

Mercedes-Benz paint care agents

1 Fine polishing paste
2 Gloss preservation agent
3 Car sponge
4 Car shampoo
5 Car care cloth
6 Insect remover
7 Polishing cotton
8 Polish
9 Mercedes-Benz care line brochure

Introduction to objective evaluation

In addition to a wide knowledge base on surface finish technology, many years of experience, a sharp eye for color as well as testing aids, equipment and a precisely defined procedure for evaluating damage locally are absolutely necessary for evaluation of the vehicle finish.

Procedure for evaluating damage locally.

Important:

Follow the 6-point procedure below for evaluating all finishes:

1. The vehicle surface must be clean.

2. Note vehicle data.

3. Specify all dents, other damage or items which are not standard features.

4. Measure layer thickness.

5. Perform microscopic tests.

6. Make photographs of damaged spots.

Notes on describing damage:
Use the terminology given in the chapter "Specialized terminology, paintwork". Use our paint drawing sheets as a form for entering the designation and description.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is practical to go beyond a description of the damage alone to include its behavior during the evaluation or processing.

Measurement of the layer thickness is always necessary.

Usually a photograph is helpful.

In many cases clarification is possible without damaging the paint finish; however, local damage may be necessary, e.g. by sanding or laboratory test of paint scratched off or a vehicle part.

For later tests:
Save paint removed - paint chips, paint scratched off or residues in bags (paper or polyethylene). Ensure that the paint does not stick to adhesive tape, etc. because the effects of the glue make reliable analysis of the cause impossible.

When evaluating it is most practical to use a systematic procedure starting from the nominal state. We have put together equipment and aids to support your local evaluation; these are contained in a practical, plastic "diagnosis case". In addition to ordering the complete set it is also possible to order individual items.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

P98.00-0624-01

Basic case for evaluation of paint damage

1 Coating thickness instrument
Quanix 1500

2 Reflected light microscope

3 Magnifying glass

4 Microscope utensils

5 Roll of Tesa 4122/19 mm cellophane tape

6 Magnet

7 Flashlight with pocket clip

8 Roll of universal indicator paper
(P-H paper)

9 Glass bottles, 15 ml (empty)

10 Plastic bottle, 50 ml (empty)

11 Plastic pipette

12 Pack of sand paper K 1200

13 Sanding block for sanding pads

14 Pack of sanding pads

15 Pack of envelopes (10 each)

16 Magnetic arrow for marking

17 Case with foam rubber lining

The equipment and aids illustrated at the right are described in the table below.

P98.00-0623-01

Available from: Firma Helmut Völker
Bahnhofstraße 16

79 194 Gundelfingen (Germany)
Telephone: 00 49 / 61 - 58 10 18

Telefax: 00 49 / 61 - 58 32 24

Further information such as shipment conditions, purchasing conditions, etc. can be obtained directly from the Völker company.

Proper evaluation of the damage to standard or repair paintwork is a prerequisite for successful cooperation with our customers. Moreover, it facilitates writing up the order for the workshop and accelerates handling of the warranty if applicable.

In addition to the paintshop or workshop area these tools should be available to every service acceptance point - regardless of whether or not paintwork is performed in the facilities - as a basic equipment and also be used.

In warranty cases please observe the following as well:
When repair work is planned for

 passenger cars over 350 WU

 commercial vehicles (except Unimog) over 150 WU

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

it is necessary to completely fill out the paintwork sketch sheet with test results within the scope of handling warranty and goodwill claims and send it in advance to VSE/PG, HPC R 105 for passenger cars and for commercial vehicles to the service department at the responsible plant. When the costs are lower keep the paintwork sketch sheet together with test results in a Repco bag where they are protected for later inspection. We will request these documents in individual cases.

Without these test results proper processing of the paint damage claim is not possible and will inevitably result in the costs claimed being rejected or debited.

When evaluating the damage patterns proceed according to the following table. All test results evaluated must be entered in the paintwork sketch sheet!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Damage patterns and test measures

P = Passenger cars and buses

T = Transporters

L = Trucks

41 = Damage category 41, corrosion

44 = Damage category 44, corrosion on crimps and overlaps

55 = Damage category 55, corrosion rusted through/material replacement

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 = For poor adhesion attach strip of cellophane adhesive tape for adhesion test to rear of paintwork sketch sheet for each section tested

2 = Store in Repco bag

The measuring points for measuring the coating thickness are shown in the following drawing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

P98.00-2082-09

A Measuring points for measuring coating thickness