Don't we need our stinkin badges?

[telefunkin]

Ok, so why would you de-badge a Benz?
Is there some unwritten rule I'm not privy to?
On my 300E some bozo (imho) plated all the chrome stars and badge gold. I have since replaced with the proper silver stars. Seeing how I aint no pimp/drug dealer. And I'll tell you what. Looking at that silver star from behind the wheel puts an even bigger grin on my face and for some reason Gerta seems to perform so much better!
By the way one of my customers backed into my drivers side front fender. Nothing too serious but it did require paint. However I now have a bright white fender that does not quite match the rest of my 13 y/o paint. Any Ideas short of a complete paint job?
By the by the way my new Hella Euros and re-wire are absolutly increadible. When the sun goes down it is now time to drive!

Thanks again everyone for all your help.


Brian

_________________________
1989 300E (150K)
1992 MR2 (wife)

[Michael]

Brian,

Sorry to hear about the repaint-first thing I'd try is to properly clean, glaze & wax the adjacent panels and then compare to the new fender. If the match is still poor, I'd return to the body shop & complain-I've had my White 300TE painted on several occasions, and the paint match is perfect (so it can be done)

De-badging is a Euro thing-I think it started because Europeans don't want to be conspicuous (or more of a thief's target) with their model numbers- if you pull the trunk and c pillar badges, a 600SEL to the untrained eye looks much like a 300SDL worth $50k less.

I like the clean look of a debadged car. I've debadged my black 300D, and have run my 500E debadged in the past...I think I'm either gonna pull it back off, or replace it with "260E". Or wasn't there a 240E in europe? 200?

Your original paint has yellowed with age and UV. Have the rest of the car polished, then if you really are bothered by this, ask your body shop if they can apply new paint tinted to the proper hue. Just realize that you're attempting to hit a moving target, as the new paint will retain it's color pretty well for a few years while the old paint will continue to break down. A future mismatch is inevitable. My Oxford White 1999 Expedition is parked in the shade 5 days a week. I park near a 2001 model purportedly painted the same color. The difference in hues is already noticeable.

I had a Cavavan in the early 90's that required a hood repaint due to stone chips. When I got it back - it was different white . The shop guy told me it was an exact chrysler paint number match. NOT. He said to wait a couple of months it would fade down and match the older paint - 2 years later I sold it with the mis matched hood. If cleaning, glazing and waxing the rest of the car does not do it - take it back. Remember don't touch the new fender paint for at least 2 months after painting except for washing to give the paint a chance to fully cure before waxing.

[c43amg]

On de-badging, the Mercedes factory de-badged the 700 special run '93 190E Limited Edition; the factory brochure states "Another distinctive aspect of this model is the deletion of the 190E 2.6 model designation on the trunk lid -- a unique visual cue that further sets apart this Mercedes-Benz model."

The red panels and red piping on the black leather seats and the red piping on the door panels are also distinctive -- the brocure notes that "The contrasting piping and inserts are not available on any other Mercedes-Benz model." -- tho I guess that you could get it as a special order on new models if you were willing to pay the stiff "custom designo" charge.

[Silver Boat]

mine came from the factory without trunk badges, at least model designation. I forget the 3 number code. The guy i bought it from did not even know what model it was. It is a 1980 Euro 280se W126 with 4 speed manual transmission. I like the look of debadging. I think I will do this to my BMW and Miata.

[blackmercedes]

My C230 is de-badged. I like the clean look of the trunk lid with only the Star.

I debadged the C36 for stealth. No need to advertise.

Helen's diesel still has it's badges. I doubt she'll take them off.

[DALE DORIA]

I de-badged my Mazda Tribute......that thing had so much auto jewlery and advertising.......it made me puke when looking at it. So with a hair dryer and dental floss, I took it ALL off. As far as the Benzes......I like the badging and find it tastefully done.

[telefunkin]

Gentlemen,
Just thought I would take a moment to update you on the color match problem. I returned to the body shop and voiced my concerns they pulled my Benz inside and buffed the drivers side door and a strip on the hood, voila a perfect match. So today I had the entire car (sans repaired fender) professionally cleaned, buffed and waxed. Thanks micheal.
Paul, hitting a moving target is a good comparison, the folks at Lake City Auto Body are damn good shots!
Dale, that dental floss tip, (yes I pay attention) is a good one as I am now de-badged. I like the cleaner, wider look.

Thank you all.

Brian



____________________________________
1989 300E (155k)
1992 MR2 (wife)

[Ashman]

Clean and symmetrical. Thats how I like it. Thats why I debadged.

Alon

[Pete Geither]

Have painted the E420 and star on the trunk the color of the car. You can still tell what it is, but you have to look.

MICHAEL"
How about trading your 500E badge for my 260E badge.
Put one on each side of the trunk and this will make it a 520E. what do you think?
JackD
260E (for now)