Any ideas on how to paint/dye the exterior lower molding on an '83 300SD. It is the 8-10 inch piece that runs quarter panel to quarter panel. The molding is otherwise in great shape...just discolored...Thanks

I'm no painter, so I can't give you a how-to answer, but I can tell you that, according to the WIS, that lower cladding that runs the length of the car just above the rocker panels is made of glass fiber-reinforced polyurethane, and is painted in a contrasting color to the body paint color. The paint probably gets a flex agent added for painting on plastic, but that's only a guess on my part. Why don't you stop by the body shop at your local MBz dealership and discuss the details with them?

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1988 California version 260E (W124)
Anthracite Grey/Palomino
Owned since new and still going strong and smooth
MBCA member

Past Mercedes-Benz:
1986 190E Baby Benz
1967 230 Inherited from mom when she downsized
1959 220S Introduced me to the joys of keepin' 'em goin'

There are only 10 kinds of people in the world--those who understand binary and those who don't

Thanks...I had similar thoughts. I'm sure they know of a product that would be appropriate.

jbritt, try cleaning it with some Meguiar's Cleaner Wax. I would be very reluctant to repaint those plastic panels because the paint is likely to chip off. Then you have a worse problem than you have now. I have found that any repaint work with waterborne paint is far less durable than the factory urethane paint on that vintage MB automobile.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks! I hope it is that simple. I agree about the paint chipping. -never had much luck with repainting, even when done "professionally". I let everyone know what happens.

Painting plastic can be a pain. Though urethane based plastics are the easist to repaint. I used to use urethane panels as controls when I would do studies on bumper paint. Only Mercedes used urethane. It was the best material, but it was very expensive.

If the wax does not work, then you will need to add a flex agent to the paint. Use a 2k isocyanate (no laqquers) and you should be able to get a good repaint. Look around the site for tips and suggestions. There are a lot of experienced people who know the practical side or refinish better than I do.

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2010 Toyota matrix

'93 500 SEL
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'12 Volvo S80 T6
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'18 Mazda Miata
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Thanks jmk...I like your reasoning...will post results when complete...worst case, I order new ones if I screw it up...

jbritt, you may want to check the cost of replacement polyurethane panels before you're at the point that replacement is your only option. I don't know, but I suspect new polyurethane panels are quite expensive ... at least more than you can imagine, or want to spend on new ones.

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Fred Hoelzle

Your advice is well taken...and I'm glad my wife has no idea what I have spent on this hobby thus far. I'm confident that a good body shop has addressed this issue and should be able to provide guidance when I get to that point. Unless it is an easy, economical fix, appearance issues are last on the restore list. Thanks...

When my coupe got repainted, the panels got repainted, too. They put a flex agent in, but otherwise used the same paint (Sikkens) that the body got. It has held up beautifully, no chips, no peel. It was not stripped of the old paint, just scuffed.

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1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k

They're not hard to remove and replace but it does require flexing the piece. I'm changing the color or mine from the matching white to contrasting black. If I can't find good ones in pick n pull, I may just remove and cover mine with black tape and reinstall.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

Sorry, I misread. I was thinking the piece that runs from rear door to back glass on a 123. I'm not familiar with the SD.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=296386