Mercedes-Benz EQS Wheel Repair & Painting Review

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: Why Wheel Repair Was Necessary

The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, with over 500 horsepower, experiences significant forces on its wheels due to its powerful acceleration. Data indicates that over 70% of luxury car owners consider wheel repair due to damage. This particular EQS SUV was no exception. The distinctive gear-like design of its wheels made any damage particularly noticeable.

Sharing the same platform as the EQS sedan, the EQS SUV has a comparable wheelbase. This contributes to a higher center of gravity, making the wheels more susceptible to impacts during driving. Upon inspection, the wheels showed various scratches and peeling paint.

Pre-Repair: Diagnosing Wheel Surface Damage

The intricate pattern of the gear-design wheels makes them prone to trapping dirt and water, even during regular washing. For wheels with complex contours, standard car washes are insufficient to address damage that has penetrated the coating layer. While ultrasonic wheel cleaning is effective for removing basic debris, it cannot restore damaged paint layers. Over-processing wheels in a cleaner without a restoration plan can lead to further clear coat peeling.

The Repair Process: Lathe Machining and Powder Coating

The core of wheel repair lies in lathe machining (rounding work) after cleaning. This process meticulously resurfaces the damaged areas, removing approximately 2-3mm of material to create a fresh surface. Maintaining the precise color depth of the gear-like design during this stage is crucial.

Following lathe machining, the wheels proceed to the painting stage, utilizing powder coating for this specific vehicle. Unlike traditional liquid paint, powder coating involves applying electrostatically charged powder particles that are then cured under high heat. This method results in a harder, more durable finish.

Benefits of Powder Coating: Durability and Shine

Powder coating offers significant advantages over conventional painting. Firstly, it boasts a hardness of 3H or higher, making it highly resistant to scratches. After a 48-hour air-drying period for complete curing, the finish is virtually unaffected by humidity or temperature fluctuations. This makes it an ideal finishing method for premium wheels like those on the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.

Finally, two or more layers of clear coat are applied to protect against UV rays and oxidation, which also determines the final gloss of the wheels.

Post-Repair: A Like-New Finish

The transformation after lathe machining and powder coating is remarkable. The gear-like pattern is clearly defined, and the overall gloss is restored. Scratches and peeling are completely gone, making the wheels appear as if they were brand new.

The glossy finish achieved through powder coating enhances the premium aesthetic, perfectly complementing the high-performance image of the 500+ horsepower EQS SUV.

Cost and Time Involved

For a large, premium SUV like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, the cost for wheel repair typically ranges from ₩800,000 to ₩1,500,000 per wheel. A full set of four wheels usually costs between ₩3,000,000 and ₩5,500,000. Factors influencing the price include:

① Wheel Size: The EQS SUV commonly features 20-inch or larger wheels, incurring an additional 10-20% cost compared to standard sizes. ② Damage Severity: The extent of the damage, from minor surface scratches to more significant edge damage, will affect the final price.