Help w/1980 Finish

[mbfleming]

I don't know much about detailing, so what shuld I do as a start for 1980 paint on my 300SD? The hood surprisingly looks very good but the rest of the car is very dull and the finish is pretty flat. Does that mean the clear cote is gone? I can't afford to repaint right now. What is the best place to start and what materials should I use to try and bring back the finish? I have an orbital buffer, but not one of those high speed polishers. I'd probably burn off the paint anyway! Not trying to get it concours, just a nice driver and one I can enjoy and feeling good about getting into. How much would I need spend to have the car repainted? Any help is appreciated! Mike

[MTI]

Much of the jaw dropping cost in properly respraying a car is in the labor cost of the prep work, not the materials or application, so the price you pay is going to be dependent upon the labor your car requires. Go get some estimates from your local shops.

[marlinspike]

Assuming you don't have a bare metal repaint, but just want it the original color, and don't take off everything but just take off the door handles and chrome and mask the rest, you're looking at $3500 for a good repaint. HOWEVER, you don't sound like you need that. There are two things you could try. One thing that might work, but even if it does will take months, is buy some good car shampoo (I like P21S), P21S gloss enhancing paintwork cleanser, and a good wax (P21S, One Grand Blitz Wax). Every 3 days or so go out, wash the car, use the paintwork cleanser, maybe 2 coats if you want, not necessary, and then wax it. If it looks good immediatley after this, then you could try doing this every 3 days or so for a few months and it might come back. Another thing, and you'd have to have a good body shop look at it so they know if they can do it or not, is a good body shop could wet sand it for a few hundred dollars.

[mbfleming]

Guys, thanks for the feedback. marlinspike, where so you get the P21S, One Grand Blitz Wax?

[marlinspike]

My favorite car care products store: www.carcareonline.com. Larry, the owner, tells it like it is, sells good stuff, and doesn't buy into a lot of these modern overly abrasive things, much like myself.

[mbfleming]

Thanks, Richard, I'll check them out. Mike

[artpb]

your car does not have clearcoat.

[marlinspike]

I thought all W126's had clear coats, no?

[marlinspike]

BTW, if you don't have clear coat but have the old Benz one stage paint youre in luck, because Benz put a lot of paint on their so you can just sand down to a layer that will look like new (ok, maybe you can't, but a body shop can for cheap).