I think my 300D has original paint.

Bad. Original paint.
http://www.botmedia.vrogy.com/ned/benz/300D_02.JPG
http://www.botmedia.vrogy.com/ned/benz/300D_04.JPG
http://www.botmedia.vrogy.com/ned/benz/300D_05.JPG
http://www.botmedia.vrogy.com/ned/benz/300D_06.JPG

Bright, hot sun kills the paint here. Short of a respray, what can I do to make the car look better? Will wax help at all? It's bad enough that some paint will come off with a wet rag. I leave fingerprints near the hood. I'm a total auto paint novice, but I'm alright with a spray can. Thanks, let me know!

__________________
1984 300D Turbo Diesel - 211700+ mileage (now sold)
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Ned/benz/sig.jpg
In any of my posts, it is safe to assume
that I'm talking about this car.

Nothing short of refinishing will help it. Wax will make it look even worse.

The culprit is a lack of UV protection in the clear coat. The OEM tries to get by with as little expense as possible and the result when they use too little clear coat is what you see. Back in the mid 80's to early 90's, the US manufactures had big problems with this.

Randy Ferguson
Ferguson Coachbuilding

yep i have the same problem. my roof's clear coat is pealing away in big patches. when i get it repainted ill use the correct clear

Ouch. Nothing I can do in the meantime will help? I don't see a respray in my immediate future.

__________________
1984 300D Turbo Diesel - 211700+ mileage (now sold)
http://www.maj.com/gallery/Ned/benz/sig.jpg
In any of my posts, it is safe to assume
that I'm talking about this car.

if the clear has peeled off nope.. to my knowledge