Hi. I just bought an 83 300d and would like to paint the faded, worn looking rims. Any recommendations for paint?

Regards, Lance

Someone will hate this suggestion, but I've always been pleased with the result when I use it... Duplicolor wheel paint.

I shot this Bundt with three coats of silver and two coats of clear. Compared to an original spare that spent most of fit's life in a trunk, the colour is very, very close to original. Duplicolour looks great, holds up well, and at $6 a can at your local McParts store, it's readily available.

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- K.C.Adams

'77 300D Euro Delivery
OM617 turbo / 4-speed swap
404 Milanbraun Metallic / 134 Dattel MB-Tex

Current status:
* Undergoing body work

My '77 300D progress thread

That looks great! Thanks for the tip! That looks like a new rim!

I agree.

My previous car had 15-hole wheels. I used Duplicolor "Arctic Silver" to repaint them and they looked great.

The big secret is the clear coat: It must be smooth as glass, especially in the nooks and crannies, or it will trap brake dust and quickly destroy your hard work. Plan on doing multiple applications of clear coat (Rustoleum brand will do just fine).

More recently, I refurbished my 8-hole alloys, which was a much easier task. Just sanding and polishing -- by hand -- and the wheels look new again.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

Use super max 2K rapid cure clear coat.
2 part aerosol with spray gun results.
I used it and it is great.
super hard finish.

part no. 3 680 062

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
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1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

On what I thought was going to be a temp job on some spare Bundts, I used Wurth wheel paint and when I ran out, used Duplicolor. I don't see the difference. Came out great. In fact so good, I wished I spent more time prepping.

I think this is the first time I've seen a rim sitting next to a blender.

All joking aside, it looks nice.

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Bernard
Dallas, TX
89' 300SEL 228K
01' E320 48k

I thought maybe you'd have to powder coat something like that for the paint to last. How does wheel (brake dust) cleaner work on that? Any problems?

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Just curious how the DIY paint jobs hold up to the tire mounting/balancing process. Finding a shop that will give the TLC required to keep from chipping the new paint might be a tall order! I have an 87 560SL and the wheels could use some refurbishing. This looks like a real viable alternative to having it done.

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Kevin Arburn
Overland Park, KS
1987 560SL

I guess that's what I was really asking. How does this type of paint job hold up under normal wear and tear?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Brake cleaner will eat the paint right off if it's fresher that two weeks or so. After two weeks, the Duplicolor is pretty tough. One really shouldn't be spraying break cleaner at any sort of paint, anyway.

Clip on wheel weights are going to chew up anything, even the factory finish and powdercoating, which is why I had my rims balanced with tape-on weights. I've used them many times, and the myth that you can only balance one side of the wheel in this way is bogus.

Tire machines can be an issue if the guy installing the rubber is a brute. I actually had my tires installed by a gentleman at a Wal-Mart tire center, who was kind enough to wrap a piece of duct tape around his tire bar a few times to prevent marring. The machine he used also had nylon covering the parts of the machine that come in contact with the bead, and he used plenty of lube. My paint was less than 12 hours old on two of the wheels when I had the tires installed, and there wasn't a single bit of paint damage in the end. The best bet of course, is to allow a few weeks of drying time before having the tires mounted, and it doesn't hurt to politely ask the person installing the tires to be gentle with the fresh paint.

If it makes any of you more comfortable, I used Duplicolor on another car over two years ago, and the wheels look just as good as the day they were painted, even after 35,000 miles.

__________________
- K.C.Adams

'77 300D Euro Delivery
OM617 turbo / 4-speed swap
404 Milanbraun Metallic / 134 Dattel MB-Tex

Current status:
* Undergoing body work

My '77 300D progress thread

That's good to know, KAdams. Thanks. You have elevated my opinion of Walmart a tiny bit. I guess it's all in the people you interact with more so than the company. At least on certain issues.

So, I guess they have no problem with you hanging around in the garage while they're mounting your tires? Some places won't allow you to do that.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

You can always hang out by the bay door with the best view of your wheels as they work on them. That's what I usually do. Making nice and personable with the guy doing the work seems to be the key no matter where you go.

__________________
- K.C.Adams

'77 300D Euro Delivery
OM617 turbo / 4-speed swap
404 Milanbraun Metallic / 134 Dattel MB-Tex

Current status:
* Undergoing body work

My '77 300D progress thread

will it blend?


haha yes it does look nice..i have 4 E430 rims to paint this summer for my 190E...maybe some bundts too on this SD..

__________________
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(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k