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Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Do It Yourself Links & Resources > Bodywork - Repair, Paint, Tools, Tips & Tricks

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  #1  
Old 04-25-2011, 10:38 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 17
RUST ISSUES!

OK, so my main problems with this car is the rust. I have no clue how to go about fixing it, nor do I have ample amounts of money. Basically I need a method thats relatively cheap but gets the job done right. Ive heard good things about POR-15 so Ill probably give that a shot. Ill upload pictures of the rust areas that need fixed.. my main concern is the door rust.





These are the main areas im concerned about, theres some under the car do, do you suggest painting it all with POR-15?

Thanks

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  #2  
Old 04-26-2011, 12:53 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Moncure, NC (near Raleigh)
Posts: 350
You will be shocked once you start probing and taking off the paint and grinding a little (wire wheel). The holes will be BIG. Metal prep/Por-15 will only stop the rust from getting worse (if painted on ALL sides around the area). You will still be left with missing metal and holes. Those will need to be patched by welding or complete panel replacement if bad enough (if on fenders or doors)

If you want to be cheap and don't plan on keeping it very long, you can grind, neutralize/POR15, fiberglass, sand, prime and paint with matching spray cans. I don't recommend this but is the ghetto way to get it done cheap and easy.

I cut, neutralized, welded, filled, sanded the right way. You definately need some equipment, little skill, and more TIME to do it right.
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1987 300TD 147,000 miles- Palomino leather interior, 1995 facelift and body cladding, E350 wheels, Rebuilt suspension and sport springs, rebuilt turbo, New Monarch injection pump and injectors....and the list goes on and on...
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  #3  
Old 04-26-2011, 01:12 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
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Well I would like to keep it as long as possible. the welding would be the most costly right? I might be able to find someone that would do it for cheap. If so, what would be the process? Take the paint off and have a panel remade to fit the bottom then have it welded on and painted?
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  #4  
Old 04-26-2011, 01:41 PM
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Location: Moncure, NC (near Raleigh)
Posts: 350
If you can find the metal from a donor car at the junkyard and they allow you to cut, that would be best as it will match perfectly with minimal bodywork.

I bought a small welder from Home Depot years ago and have used it many times for odd projects. If not, try a community college with a welding class. Either take the class and learn something, or see if they can work on you car. You would need to have it cut to fit and ready to weld in place.

For other, smaller, non-structural repairs under the wheel well, under the rockers, or in the trunk, you can use metal from an old bent fender (junkyard), cut to fit, and use a hand rivot gun to set it in place securely with steel rivots. You can then use the Por-15 epoxy and cover with Por-15 coating. As long as all the rust and bad metal is gone that can work too on a budget.

A welding shop will likely be $40-$60 an hour. If you have everything ready for them, it may only take an hour or two to weld patches in place.

No matter what it will become a pretty time consuming job.
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  #5  
Old 04-26-2011, 02:23 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 17
Yeah, problem is.. I live in the middle of no where in Canada so a parts or parts car is very very very unlikely... but I suppose ill give this a try. Luckily its always sunny here during the summer so I dont have to deal with much moisture! Thanks
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  #6  
Old 05-26-2011, 05:41 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Quebec
Posts: 4,025
I will be a bit more direct for you: rust on any old car (and particularly on these old Mercedes) is like an iceberg -- what you can see is only the tip of the problem. Once you begin to explore you are going to find that you have significant issues buried from direct view.

Your car is fixable but I don't think you have a handle on exactly how big a project this is going to be, unless you have done a complete inspection since you last posted here. I was once in your shoes, with my '79, though the rot was not quite as bad, so I sympathize....

Given the rust spots you have shown us, it will be fair to say that the driver's front footwell is probably badly rotted away. The floor may need patching as well, in both the front and the rear (water moves toward the rear).

The front rocker panel is shot and the jack-point may be gone too. There may be a hole in the frame rail as well.

These are major DIY projects that will demand you develop some skills, as noted by others.

You mention that you cannot come up with a parts car. I suggest you use Google as your friend and try contacting yards in BC or Alberta that might have these cars lying around (there aren't many even in those rust-free provinces, as I just found when trying to buy a used fender). They MIGHT agree to cut some sections for you. Shipping via Greyhound isn't expensive.

The damage is probably not economically feasible to fix at most bodyshops. I do have one idea, however. Some time back there used to be old-timer body guys in the rural areas around here who did work on trucks and other equipment for farmers. They are pretty much gone, but in SK you have a big farming economy and maybe you still have honest old guys like that around. This would require that he be very reputable and well known in the community, both for honesty and for completing stuff he starts.

Otherwise, maybe place an ad in a local paper classifieds to see if there is a retired body guy who could come and assist you, or take it on in his backyard or garage (bylaws permitting).

Good luck with it.
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  #7  
Old 06-28-2011, 11:51 PM
stricht8
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 127
Most bodyshops will do an inadequate job here. This is restoration work and is too time consuming for a body shop. Actually, I feel that most bodyshops lack the expertise and skill for this kind of work. They are good at panel replacement, dent repair and paint. I would buy a MIG welder, a grinder, some basic body tools and go at it. Watch a bunch of you tube videos- you'll be amazed at what's out there specific to this car. I've done the door corner repair:
www.stricht8garage.shutterfly.com

and the quarter panel repair:
240D quarter panel rust repair

As you can see I fabricated everything. But I have little desire to repeat that. I have found that I can go to junkyards in warmer climates like DC and cut what I want from rust free cars and that is what I intend to do from now on.
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  #8  
Old 07-05-2011, 09:27 PM
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Posts: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by dseretakis View Post
Most bodyshops will do an inadequate job here. This is restoration work and is too time consuming for a body shop. Actually, I feel that most bodyshops lack the expertise and skill for this kind of work. They are good at panel replacement, dent repair and paint. I would buy a MIG welder, a grinder, some basic body tools and go at it. Watch a bunch of you tube videos- you'll be amazed at what's out there specific to this car. I've done the door corner repair:
www.stricht8garage.shutterfly.com

and the quarter panel repair:
240D quarter panel rust repair

As you can see I fabricated everything. But I have little desire to repeat that. I have found that I can go to junkyards in warmer climates like DC and cut what I want from rust free cars and that is what I intend to do from now on.
Awesome!

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