I have a paint question for an '83 240d... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chrisrad · #1 03-27-2006, 03:57 PM

Hi- I'm new to the forum but I have a quick question for everyone-

Are/were Mercedes paint jobs perfect from the factory?

I am talking about a one owner 240d I sold recently. The buyer claims that there are drips along the inside lip of the hood and that I misrepresented the car because I said the paint was all original...

The buyer even contacted the original owner before he even received the car for details about the car- and still firmly believes that the paint is not original on the hood. (i've had the car less than a year)...

Please- am I crazy? You can't tell me that factory paint jobs are perfect- are they? (oh and before the car left I had to clean the black grime that collects over the years off the sides of the hood... I sure as heck didnt see any drips).

Chris

Volvo Diesel · #2 03-27-2006, 07:13 PM

My '85 300D-T has a small drip near the 'turbodiesel' badge on the rear trunk lid. I know the previous owner and he has told me the car was never repainted or repaired on his watch, and other than that one spot, there is no indication that the car has ever been repainted. I only noticed it the first time I polished the car. So I'm inclined to suggest that the car might well have come from the factory that way, since apparently mine did....

Best wishes,
-Chris

Pete Geither · #3 03-27-2006, 07:17 PM

Perfect is pretty tough to attain. In 23 years in business, we have not put out a "perfect" job yet. My SL has a drip of clear on the hardtop, which is pretty obvious, and I am sure the top is as it came from the factory. One check for the hood would be to take a mil gauge to it. It shouldn't have any more than 5 mils of paint on it. If when it all comes down to it, and no one knows for sure,,, it doesn't mean a thing.

barry123400 · #4 03-27-2006, 09:38 PM

Of course drips on a normally unseen edge could originate at the factory. If he thinks car has been repainted it is not usually hard to find the evidence. He will have to do a little better than those drips.. Also a hood repaint only is not an impossibility when the car was newer. Even for a lot of minor problems.

t walgamuth · #5 03-27-2006, 10:14 PM

but it really makes no difference overall.

but even though i am mucho experiencedo in these cars i would say, when describing a car i have for sale, something like "appears to be original paint" and 'it appears that the paint is mostly original" and "a few panels might have been painted".

on a 23 year old car who can be sure?

tom w

Hatterasguy · #6 03-27-2006, 10:17 PM

Don't really see any imperfections on the new 06/07's sitting on the lot. Although you only really notice stuff while waxing.

t walgamuth · #7 03-27-2006, 11:05 PM

if i understand correctly is on the flange edge down on the underside where you wouldnt see it with the hood closed.

that buyer is a nit picker.

tom w

Diesel Giant · #8 03-28-2006, 05:24 AM

The factory MB paint jobs are pretty good but not perfect. No paint is perfect and especially mass produced. What the heck is he whinnning about on a car that old?

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