COLOR CODE048/0048 - Mystic White Metallic TricoatMercedes-Benz Touch-Up Paint

The Look

This is not a simple fleet white. This color belongs to the high-end Designo palette, a premium finish that defined the presence of the SLS-Class and the rugged luxury of the G-Class during the peak of the 2000s. It has a deep, porcelain-like quality that looks thick and expensive. Because your car has likely been on the road for a decade or more, the finish has aged under the sun. This means your repair needs to account for a slightly warmer tone than a brand-new factory swatch might suggest.

Technical Details

You are working with a tricoat, which is a three-step process consisting of a base color, a shimmering mid-coat, and a clear protective layer. This is a pearl-metallic finish, meaning the depth comes from how light hits those middle layers. The biggest risk with this paint is mottling-those dark, uneven streaks that appear if the metallic flakes bunch up. If you apply the mid-coat too heavily, the repair will look like a muddy shadow against your door or fender. You want to build the color slowly to maintain that crisp, clean shimmer.

Best Practices

Before you begin, verify your match. Open your driver's side door and check the pillar for a black sticker, or look at the radiator support bar under the hood. Before you spray or dab Mercedes-Benz Mystic White Metallic Tricoat (check for code 048/0048), you need to shake it for 60 seconds to ensure the metallic particles are fully suspended. Always test the color on the included card to see how many layers of the mid-coat you need to reach the right depth. When applying the paint, keep the container moving to avoid pooling. Allow plenty of drying time between layers so the pearl effect sits flat and stays bright.