Problem is I'm "well know" for being a smart aleck. I've heard of China Blue but I can't picture it right off hand. Maybe you could send me a hubcap to refresh my memory.
There is actually a great group of guys and gals here in the DFW and surrounding area. We get together from time to time officially, and some of us will on occasion do some wrenching together. My wrenching mostly consisted of hitting Dan in the head with it.



We'd try not to whack around a new guy.
Congrats on obtaining such a nice sounding car. Resist the urge to try and turn a quick meager profit. The value in ownership experience will vastly out weigh any fleeting monetary gain.
What part of Dallas?

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

As of now i am planning on keeping it. Haven't really came up with a good reason to sell it yet!

I live in North Dallas

This is not a great picture but here it is .... http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1318/DSC02950.JPG

I promise i will get a better one posted.

Few questions ... where is the best place to buy touch up paint for these old Mercedes? Few rock chips that need some paint love.

Also, the paint is a little dull from years of sun. I have a felling there is some good shine left in the paint, but what is the best way to get it back? Obviously some good waxing will help, but any other suggestions?

China engine replacement 1980 240D

See posts 107 and 110 of the above thread. Rumor has it that China Blue paint runs pretty deep. My car's paint was just about as oxidized as you can get, and really came back with a deep shine.
I don't guess you found an extra China Blue hubcap in the trunk?

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Ok whats better ... clay bar or some good compound?

I dont not have the china blue hubcaps on my car. I have a dark grey blue color caps .... I love the two tone

If i had an extra i would send it to you though

Same goes for the China Blue Paint on Norm.

Before:


After:


I used mother's clay bar.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

I so want Penta's or Ronals..........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Did the clay bar even take off the rust below the headlights?

You beat me to it. I was just going to ask about the rusty rock chips.

__________________

Nope, that was compliments of my temporary garage body shop. Anybody need some work done?

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Where did you get the China Blue paint?

I had sherwin williams automotive to an exact color match. I opted for the 2 stage paint in hopes it would last.

__________________
1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Anyone know an easy way of getting out tiny little dents? On the top of the car there is some tiny dents that kind of look like it could of been some ligth hail at some point?

So i ran to the post office tonight and a China Blue 300TD drove by me and the guy gave me the wave Felt like i am in a secret society ... Maybe it was someone on this board.... anyone drive down Grenville in Dallas around 9 PM tonight??


Also .. does anyone drive there auto 240D more like a stick? I have been starting out in 1st gear a lot and also cruising in town in 2nd gear and it seems a bit easier to drive. A little more get up and go

What do you mean by cruising in 2nd gear? Do you mean you start out in 1 and then shift up to 2 but no further? Surely that's not feasible given the 2nd gear start of the normal shift pattern?

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S