Restoration Article: Body and Paint Planning and Preparation

This 300D has very typical paint problems from the metallic colors available in the early 1980s. The top coatings on the body are what are called clear coats. This clear coating goes on over the base of metallic color and gives the color its extreme shine and depth.

These 20 year old plus clear coats do not hold up well when subject to the harsh elements experience by a car that has not been loved and/or kept in a garage. We get many emails about how to fix clear coat problems. There is NO easy fix that will last over time.  The car has to be repainted and that can be very expensive, especially if you just walk into some custom paint shop and tell them you want a real nice paint job. High quality base coat / clear coat paints jobs can cost $3000 to $5000 and up....

Now in my humble opinion that is just too much to pay for an 123 sedan.  I have been a body and paint guy since I was in high school.  I have painted airplanes, cars, boats and other stuff during my lifetime.  Over the years I have learned how to - beat the system - to come up with reasonable quality paint jobs at reasonable prices without having to do all the painting myself.  Note: I frankly do not like to paint anymore due to the dangerous and harsh fumes used in the new 2 part urethane paints.

Later on in this project I will share with you some of these techniques.  For the time being I am going ot leave the paint alone until I have ALL the mechanical restoration completed.  I just dont like worrying about scratching a new paint job. Stay tuned.... but this will be some time in the spring of 2009.

If you are comtemplating a new paint job for your older Benz here is some good advice received recently from one of our customers:

I just had my 300D painted and wanted to shared an idea I wish I thought of
before having it painted. I needed a new windshield, kind of a chicken and
the egg thing because I wanted to leave the windshield in the car while
having it painted so I could drive it to the paint shop. Anyway, my idea
is: Replace the windshield after the paint job, but cut the rubber gasket
back a half an inch before the paint job. Then, when the new windshield is
installed the gasket will cover the new paint and butt it. I would have
done this for the front and rear glass but thought of it too late.
I removed all of the trim, bumpers, sunroof seals, lights and whatever
that I could. I had 'One Day Paint' do the paint. It cost $600 for there
best. The car looks like new!! No run or orange peel, I am very happy with
it.

Bret T. - 1984 300D

Which paint to use?

Customers often ask if it is better to go with single or 2-stage paint. I will be planning on base coat / clear coat for this 300D as the original paint is heavy metallic. Here is my standard recommendations if you are planning to have your car painted"

Weather you go one or two stage depends a lot on the color. If you are painting a solid color then I would recommend single stage. If you are painting a metallic color then go 2 stage - if you are particular about the job. (it is hard to get the metallic even throughout the paint when spraying single stage). Also if you live in a harsh climate and leave the car outside a lot I would recommend single stage.

When applied properly you can plan on 2 to 3 quarts of paint. I recommend buying a gallon if you go single stage as one gallon is often the same price as three quarts. This will leave you extra for future touch up.  If you are going 2 stage your auto paint supply store can recommend the correct balance between base coat and clear coat.