Memphis Mike Posted April 1, 2003 Posted April 1, 2003 Looking for some opinions here. I recently purchased a Mercedes 85 300 diesel. It's a great car with the exception of one thing. The paint. It has a dull flat finish and I'm sure it's original but the thing scratches very easily. SWMBO sat a box on it the other day and just the box sitting on it scratched it. {or so she claims}. :roll: Anyone have any suggestions as to a buffing compound or wax that may get rid of these superficial scratches in the paint? Sorry not boat related. That will come later. Quote
ken connors Posted April 1, 2003 Posted April 1, 2003 i would 'glass the whole thing and coat it with behr 100% acrylic latex exterior enamel(gloss for a mercedes, satin for a ford). but, thats just me..... :wink: Quote
Bill Posted April 1, 2003 Posted April 1, 2003 Wings off, Fins on..Simple tube through the back of the neck... Make a lovely conversation piece!! Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 1, 2003 Posted April 1, 2003 I have an 81 300D silver/blue. I use Maguires (sp) on it and the minor surface scratches aren't at all noticable. But then it has never been really dull. I'd be careful with rubbing compounds, with older paint, easy to go right thru it. Quote
Guest EdWoerle Posted April 1, 2003 Posted April 1, 2003 Does this paint appear to have a clear coat on it? It would be obvious in that there would be 'patches' of duller paint mixed in with the just dull paint. If so, yer kinda screwed. Of course, most better body/paint shops could clear-coat it rather inexpensively. Places like Auto Zone, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc., have cleaner/polishes that could/might remove minor scratches, to be followed with either that clear coating, or possibly a coat of good (read expensive and labor intensive) wax. Just don't go anywhere they charge you $300 for a $25 oil change. Know where I mean? Ed in Memphis Quote
Memphis Mike Posted April 1, 2003 Author Posted April 1, 2003 Thanks for the replies. The paint isn't really dull, it's just a non-metal flake finish. I've never seen this type of finish on anything but a Mercedes. Hey Ed, I see you are in Memphis too. What kind of boat do you have? I've built a Bolger Diablo and I'm working on a Windsprint. Quote
Joe(Cold Spring onHudson) Posted April 1, 2003 Posted April 1, 2003 Hey Mike, as a fellow 300 D Benzo owner (1978 ) I got no love for the paint job, mine is chalk blue. Tell ya what I would do with a Benzo as sweet as yours (mine well lets just say she aint pretty, she is missing some trim and has a few battle scars ) I would get myself to Earl Shibe or the like and get a nice metal flake paint job, Pick something other than that brown while your at it man. Figure what's it gonna cost ya $200 or so Quote
Sailor3356 Posted April 1, 2003 Posted April 1, 2003 Sounds like the clear coat has been rubbed off. Quote
Guest EdWoerle Posted April 2, 2003 Posted April 2, 2003 Mike, I'm about to put the deck on a Mini-Cup (named American Cup), and have the major pieces cut for a Weekender, to be known as Respite. Actually live in Fayette County, looking for small local lakes to sail. Any ideas? Ed in Memphis (Sorta) Quote
Barry Pyeatt Posted April 2, 2003 Posted April 2, 2003 Mike, Was talking to my son-in-law, (paints cars for a living in a really good shop), and he said to take a small piece of 800-1000 paper and test a very small area on a side panel. If it comes out kinda white, it is clear coat, if it is color then there isn't any clear coat on it. If not, then he recommends a very mild cleaner/polish on it with a soft wheel if you are using a power buffer. If by hand, then just go to it. Then wash it off well and when dry apply a good hard paste wax on it. He really likes the Maguires products for the older Mercedes. It can be buffed out by hand or with a wheel. If it is clear coat then he recommends taking it to a detail shop and letting them use some of their compounds on it. They can bring back a pretty well faded out clear coat to a pretty fine shine and then using some of the new finishes apply a good UV guard on it. Good luck! Quote
Memphis Mike Posted April 2, 2003 Author Posted April 2, 2003 Thanks for the replies folks. I'll try the Mcguires. Ed, I fish on a small lake called Lakeview that would be nice to sail on. It's right off of R61 on the way to Tunica. A lot of people sail at Arkabutla Lake also. Also Pickwick. Check with these people. They are going to teach me to sail when the Windsprint is done. http://www.tornadoalleysailingclub.org/ Quote
Guest Mr. Know it all Posted April 2, 2003 Posted April 2, 2003 Hey Mikey.....It's me Kevin(aka Mr. Know it All). I wanted to show you with a little patience I can make it into this forum. Still trying things out and looking around. Tell Joe I said hello. Peace----> Kevin in Ohio Quote
Joe(Cold Spring onHudson) Posted April 2, 2003 Posted April 2, 2003 Hey Kevin looks like the gangs all here and frank has a spell checker so we all can be as lucid as those on the Other forum LOL Quote
Memphis Mike Posted April 2, 2003 Author Posted April 2, 2003 I wonder what happened to Rex. I thought he was coming over too. :?: Good for you to see me Kevin. Oh, and you don't have to keep telling us it's you Kevin. Everybody knows there's only ONE Mr. Know It All. :roll: Barry, I tried what you said and it came out brown so it's not clear coat. Thanks for the informative reply! Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 OK.......I finally figured out why I couldn't log on. You know me....not the sharpest crayon in the box. :? So Mikey, did ya talk Sue into that trailer hitch for the Benz yet? :wink: Joe....I cooked a steak on the grill today and the high temp soared to 77F outside. No visable ice on Lake Erie. Won't be long now. Quote
Memphis Mike Posted April 3, 2003 Author Posted April 3, 2003 Kevin, check my post entitled "Hey Frank." Quote
Brent Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 Used to own and 87 Mercedes 300. Very nice car. Then my 16 year old daugher killed it. Still in morning. :cry: Quote
tdrown Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 Anyone interested in an Buick Century? All proceeds will go to the 'Build Tyler a Boat Fund'. Just put in a new battery! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.