I've been working on painting the rims of my 300SDL for about a week now... I hate this job so much... I swear I'm not going to do it again (ok, or maybe just once more on my 300D...

I cleaned the rims and taped around protecting the tire near the rim (4 inch tape).

First, it was very very difficult to get an even coat without ugly splotches all over the rim visible from different angles - drove me crazy, so I ran around with the paint can trying to get an even coat on them and in the process I had very light overspray on the tires rubber. Three days later (argh) I got the clear coat on there - again several layers to make it look even from the sides and at different angles. Now that I've removed the tape from the rims it looks hideous with that faint shadow of an overspray on 'em.... what should I use to clean the rubber and make it black again - help me I hate these wheels now...

Two more to go this week...

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

what was your prep work?

Fine steel wool with water works wonders.

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Question Authority before it Questions you.

if you want to be extra careful with paint just cover the rubber in a nice layer of petroleum jelly.

That's a great tip that can save many hours of prep

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http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

Wow... that is a great tip - thx... I taped all around and then I made a plastic sheet with a center cut out that I placed on the rim. I used that MOST of the time and when I did it worked well... I got in trouble because I got careless and sprayed some touch-up without the proper covering in place.

Thx all -

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Used index cards from my kid & garbage bags (actually after I finished, found NO overspray on the garbage bags at all...so garbage bags are not even needed, just index cards will do).

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I'm about 2 months away from needing new tires. I plan to paint mine before they take the old tires off.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

What primer did you use before you painted your rims.

When I painted my rims.

Cleaned rims
Sanded rims down
cleaned again
primed rims (allowed to dry per instructions)
Primed rims again (allowed to dry per instructions)
Painted rims (allowed to dry per instructions)
Painted rims (allowed to dry per instructions)

Looks great
Total cost $30.00

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Professional greasecar installer
Austin TX


98 Jetta TDI with grease car kit + veg-therm (totaled)
87 MB 300SDL running on B99 / greasecar kit + 30 fphe
www.austingreaseguys.com