Color Change..

Hello to all..Great to find this board. I've learned so much already just reading the threads. I just bought a 1972 280SE on ebay and I'm pleasantly surprised as it doesn't need much done to it to be roadworthy. California car..no rust and in great shape..interior is like new. My question is I would like to change the color. It is Maple Yellow with black benztex interior. I know this is a rare color but I'm just not a big fan of yellow. I have always loved this car in Midnight blue. Has anyone ever seen Midnight Blue with black as an interior? Is there anyplace you can find out what were the available combinations for the cars of this year? Otherwise I might just change it to black/black. Thanks in advance. Ed

[300SDog]

Personally, I'd probably go with deep, dark burgundy red exterior that would really kick well with black interior. There are also lots of deep purples that work well. Midnight blue.... why the hell not??

Here are exterior colors assigned to 108 cousins from the mid-1960s, the finbody cars; and burgundy over black was common combo:

http://www.heckflosse.nl/excol4.htm

And if it was me changing the color from light to dark, I'd run with professional paint job for the car at large - then ask them to save left over paint for me - without them painting door strips and the engine compartment. Automobile paint shops cry like babies and bump the price into orbit over covering detail strips and the engine compartment

Next I'd do my own sanding and masking of door strips and also I'd sandpaper the engine compartment but wouldnt bother with masking tape there. Finally I'd use a damned brush to cover the fiddly bit strips and engine compartment that the paint shops hate to paint without charging an arm and a leg.

Thanks dieseldog...appreciate your input..I've seen the yellow done in a two-tone that was a factory color also..black roof, yellow for the rest...looked good too. I'm sure the yellow would be way easier to maintain then black but this model sure looks great in dark colors...

[300SDog]

In terms of paint maintenance there's nothing better than original paint..... if it fades or scratches you can compound it to oblivion, removing a few coats to revive the original finish. Hell, the original stuff is probably 1/16" thick. Rare, very rare for *any* repaint to be an improvement over original product for longevity.

---

Last edited by 300SDog; 07-17-2004 at 02:45 AM.