Two dealer operated body shops refused to work on my car.

The dealers are Clair and Foreign Motors West.

My car is 1992 Mercedes 300D. I asked several rust repair jobs including the rust in the picture below.

They said that they usually do not repair rust, and that they do not do what they cannot guarantee. They added that it is their rule.

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A lot of collision shops today only want to do collision repair. That is were the $$ are. Rust repair can be very time consuming and there is a potential for the rust to return. The other bad side of it is we cut off some sheet metal and find even more rust. Now your estamate is all wrong and you now have a bill for 2-4 times the original price.
So a lot of body shops really don't like working on rust.
My son and I rebuilt a 65 Mustang. And you discover rust in many unusual places that from the outside you did not know was there.

I would suggest you find a restoration shop, They are use to dealing with older cars that may or maynot have rust. And they usually know how to work with it.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

Give Viti a call, located in RI and they provide a loaner car while your car is being serviced-pick up and drop off for you at your office. They did some rust spots for me awhile back like 6 years ago. http://www.viti.com
The service manager at that time told me they are required to charge a labor rate around 35 a hour. Not much profit for them compared to the service dept, high profit margins, so I am not surprised to hear Clair and West decline the job.
A couple of years ago, visited some auto body shops in the south shore to take care of some rust spots. A couple of owners opened up and told me the money is in collision repair not rust. There is a shop in Quincy on Copeland street, owner has a Business Degree from BU, tells me their profit educated, but did some rust work. Can't recall name near the 7 11 store.
To finish up my story, I ended up doing the work .... materials are cheap, remove rust, sanding removing all black spots,used exposy primer, base and clear coat. took me several time to get it right, I am not looking for show room quality at this time.

Bill
1981 300 TD