I have a '75 450 SEL project car I am saving from the junkyard. Body is really good (she's always been an Atlanta car) except for the rear passenger door. That door has some rust and I guess I should look for one from a junkyard.

Anyway, I'd like to get her painted, but I am not talking about one of these $4000 jobs. But also don't want MAACO for $299. Roof is faded, so is hood, trunk. Too many days in the Georgia sun. Color is light blue metallic

What should I expect to pay for a decent acceptable paint job?

if its just the door i'd look for a clean one. painting is mostly labor, the more sanding and buffing they do is more money but theoretically a better shine. plus the cost of paint and materials (sand paper, etc)

if you're starting with a straight car, this is good.

it also helps if the car is not metallic or clear coat

also if you're willing to say remove some of the trim (bumpers, lights, chrome etc) as it should come off for a good job, and they will charge you for it.

depending on the shop you could probably get a pretty good job in the $2000-3500 range.

the hard part. shops vary in price and quality, and they are not necesarily correlated

good luck! i'm in the same boat
mike

Vicker's Auto Parts on Hwy 221 in Chesnee has a few 116's. Dennis is cheap when it comes to these cars, we live in the land of, If it ain't Amairakan it's crap; for the exception of BMW who built a factory here... But if you drive a new BMW around here it is assumed that you are a factory employee.......

For a paint job that is worthy of being on a Benz I would say between $2000 and $2500.

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Jim

I'm in the same boat, not sure who to get to paint my car. I want a quality job but damn I think 3 to 4 grand ought to buy one hell of a paint job. I'm getting a range from 3 to 6 and they are all saying the same thing.

I saw a very nice red 108 at the local dealer when I was on a parts run. Contacted the owner who said he had dumped 5k on body work at the dealer, and they wanted another 5k to paint it.

So....

He just went to maaco and got their very best job - about 1000-1500. I'll have to say I was impressed.

yeah the old trick there is so do that and slip the painter a $50...

mike

Maaco uses good paint, and they do a very good job of laying it down, but YOU have to do all the work if you want a good job -- they scuff, spray, and deliver.

If you sand off most of the factory paint and primer and flat sand it, they will do a very nice job. No overcoat unless you pay for it, no trim removal or repairs, etc.

Color will only be close, they don't match. They buy the paint in 55 gal drums, you get what is closest.

peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

And the trouble is that they don't diverge from their model - there is no way to pay them extra for a better prep job and better finishing. And the quality seems to depend on the individual painter and what kind of day he is having.

On my 250C, I am currently working with TMC in Baltimore, who do the prep and a then use a dealer's painter who has a moonlighting arrangement. I am trying to get away for $3 grand, with the car already in old primer and all of the chrome removed.

I found this great book "How to Paint Your Car" by Dennis W Parks and David H Jacobs that lays out a lot of the issues and has an excellent section on materials. It will definitely make you a better-informed consumer.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Benzcrusher--I may ride up there and see what he has. Worked on the big girl this weekend (75 450 SEL) and that backseat is horrendous.

Thanks

Bud

SO my best bet is to:

1. Remove all chrome/trim/bumpers
2. Sand paint down (with what?)
3. Sand down any little rust spots
4. Tip the paint guy!

My car has very little rust--there are just a few quarter size areas.

Also, I will replace the passenger rear door first. It has a dent and has some rust that I dont feel can be bondo'ed.