Experience with addressing minor rust and respray?
 

I've got some minor rust bubbling on my '81 300TD. I'm not horribly concerned because it's taken 21 years for it to get that way! Typical areas, quarter panel behind each wheel well, under the lip of the tailgate. Floor pans look alright to me both under the carpets and underneath.
Next year I'd like to have the rust taken care of and have it re-sprayed original inca red...
Anybody have any experience with this type of work? How much will I be looking at?

Well, that is just too open ended a question for anyone to give you a real world estimate...
Are you wanting to have it done right ? Do you have any do it yourself urges ... perhaps that you have been fighting to keep in check...? You could learn to fix it yourself, do one area every couple of weeks and prep the car for paint yourself... then spend all the money on the finest paint made... or you can take it to someone else and guess as to whether or not they are really going to do a good job...
Remember, to do a really perfect paint job the primer must rest a week or so after each application of primer... and primer is hydroscopic, meaning that it attracks moisture... all these primered cars you see driving around... are rusting under that primer before they even get the top coat on....
You could have the car completely ready for the top coat and you would know it would last longer than your lifetime... paints are that good now...compared to the old days... like oil technology... amazing strides in the last 50 years.... Since I also have an 81 300 td I did not want you to think we were ignoring you...LOL.. Greg

I'm gonna try it...
 

...on my *new* '83 240D.

Shawnster,
First of all, after seeing the pics of your 300td I need to find a way to tell my wife that I am in love with another woman...

Back to reality. I have the same rust creeping up the rear wheelwells and am planning to treat them later this spring when the weather becomes more consistent (yeah right!)

I will be sure to post info and pics of what I do... and I will surely be asking tons of questions! :)

I purchased a can of "cold galvanize" or something like that to be used as a sealant and primer for the primer. We will see how that works. One thing in my favor is that my car is black. just plain, shiny black. Not your sweeeeet Inca Red so finding the right color match is eas-E.

later, and a belated congrats!

Brian~