Painted my 280SE Today - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gocirino · #16 03-25-2009, 11:37 AM

More Pix

280EZRider · #17 03-25-2009, 11:49 AM

I agree that multiple coats of single stage would be better as well as in keeping with the original paint; however, your car looks great. Well done!

Is the prohibition of single stage by state or the entire country?

Mr.Kenny · #18 03-25-2009, 12:21 PM

AWESOME!

It's so stately, powerful & imposing; it's scary in a mobster sort of way.
Let's just say if I saw this car slowly creeping up behind me....I'd panic.

gocirino · #19 03-25-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280EZRider

I agree that multiple coats of single stage would be better as well as in keeping with the original paint; however, your car looks great. Well done!

Is the prohibition of single stage by state or the entire country?

You are correct... single stage looks great if properly applied. Trouble is most people have clearcoat on the brain and expect to see it on everything.

pj67coll · #20 03-25-2009, 06:27 PM

Looks fantastic. 108's always look better in dark colors in my opinion. If it were me I would probably go SS instead of CC as well. But that's because I live in Phoenix and there is no such thing as a CC that can stand the AZ sun. Up where you are that might not be such an issue.

- Peter.

JeffreyNMemphis · #21 03-26-2009, 03:23 PM

Wow! That is COOL. I wish I could paint my car, the way I would want it painted. I would need a lot of knowledge before I attempted it, tools, a place to work, and a LOT of time (way more than I have of each item mentioned).

You have made me envious, and probably many others here. My car could use a paint and body restoration, and I am doing everything possible to preserve and maintain it for when I can do it right.

I took the car to a local shop that advertises Glasurit paint system for Mercedes to get an estimate. The economic value of the car does not justify spending $6,000.00-$8,000.00 for a "good" paint job. Even if it was a 100-point "concours" paint job, it would be nearly impossible get back the cost of paying someone else to paint it. As much as I love my car, the market does not appreciate it like cabriolets.

Your car looks great in that deep, shiny black. And I agree with the others who say black cars have a certain mystique.

If you have time, please tell us more about the project. Give us a beginning middle and end, and we will read every word for clues about making our own paint scheme/dream happen.

Jeffrey

gocirino · #22 03-26-2009, 08:37 PM

You ask many questions. I'll try to answer a few. I started with a basically good car with minor problems. As you would expect, small repair areas were "tip of the iceberg" repairs requiring more attention than what you see. Always plan on much more repair. In short, I performed the following;
1- washed car with hot soap and water to remove contaminants. Then washed with a chemical based then water based cleaner. You do not want to contaminate the surface by imbedding wax into the paint.
2-stripped the car down to the basic body
3- performed bodywork, I had over 73 actual body repairs ranging from small dents to rust repairs.
4- As I previously mentioned, after the bodywork I epoxy primed with PPG DP90LF (black) to seal against corrosion.
5- I then applied 3 coats of PPG 2K primer surfacer. This is like a thin coat of bodyfiller over the entire car. I then block sanded (longboard sanding blocks ) with 400 grit paper (600 grit on metallics). I also used a guide coat of black to find irregularities.
6- I then applied a sealer. Just what the name implies, it seals out everything I've done so far and provides a good base to start applying color.
7- Applied two coats of Jet Black tint (basically black without any other colors added).
8- Then I shot three coats of PPG's newest clear #8152.
9- Next day I wet sanded and buffed.... nothing to it! ( not really, it was about four weeks of hell)
10- Re-assembled and added some new tires and I'm outta here! Looks almost as good as your turbo 911!
(more pix at http://photobucket.com/mercedes280se)

Dee8go · #23 03-26-2009, 09:07 PM

You did a terrific job. I love a black car with a first-rate paint job.

Dee8go · #24 03-26-2009, 09:09 PM

I just noticed that you're in Maryland. You should come to the GTG at Powerpig's house in April. I'd love to see your car in person. Check out the Events and gatherings forum.

gocirino · #25 03-26-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

I just noticed that you're in Maryland. You should come to the GTG at Powerpig's house in April. I'd love to see your car in person. Check out the Events and gatherings forum.

Sounds great... where is Powerpig's?

gocirino · #26 03-26-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

You did a terrific job. I love a black car with a first-rate paint job.

Thanks for all the nice comments from everyone..

JeffreyNMemphis · #27 03-27-2009, 12:00 AM

Thank you! Your type of post is one of my favorite flavors. As much as I enjoy reading about another person's problem/misery, and the experience of others who offer solutions; sharing in the joy of accomplishment and workmanship is like a tasty dessert after a good steak and broccoli. The pictures and story give everyone here encouragement that real people can do repair and restoration. You don't have to be a TV star like Chip Foose to restore a car.

Sweat equity is a way that anyone who is willing to learn to do the work can feel rich and satisfied. I love to repair things with my hands. The rest of the world might not appreciate and value my old car, but I sure do. Getting my hands dirty is a small price to pay compared to the satisfaction I get when the task is finished and the car is better for it. I looked at all the photographs you posted; your car is definitedly better off! Great job!!

I would love to paint my Mercedes and my Porsche(which is actually a naturally aspirated model). They are both flawed, though I cherish them like my children. When I have the resources to complete the project correctly, I will come back to the forum and read every thread including this one. And then share my experience with my friends here.

MercedesShopForum is one of my favorites. I don't know of one better for Mercedes Benz. The PelicanParts forum is probably the Porsche equivalent. The previous owner of my Porsche kept it clean and shiny, but completely neglected the maintenance needs until something broke and demanded repair. I used the Pelican Parts forum to learn about Porsches and saved a small fortune while enjoying the hobby of mechanical restoration.

GregoryV022 · #28 03-27-2009, 12:29 AM

the only color i like better on these cars is cherry red with red leather interior. but black or white would be my two fall back colors

wbain5280 · #29 03-27-2009, 01:57 AM

I've had a 220SEb and a 230S that were black with the bright red interior. That's my fave color combo.

Thanks for the post and is it possible to post some more pics of your work?

tonkovich · #30 03-27-2009, 02:05 AM

beautiful car.

is single stage not available anywhere (legally or otherwise?) in california i would think definitely not, but elsewhere? (didn't see an answer in the thread, and clear coats come here to cloud, crack and die.