PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

phidauex · #7 11-15-2005, 01:31 PM

There is a balance..

I understand the desire to keep these cars correct, but that can be balanced with just keeping them going.

Here is an example... My silver paint is shot. The clearcoat is peeling off, its got chips all over, etc. The correct thing to do would be to get it repainted in the original color. I may do that someday, but I can't afford it now, and I don't have a safe place to store the car while the paint cures. So I just touch up the chips to keep them from rusting, and live with it. I'm not making the car 'correct', but I'm also doing what I can to keep 'correctness' and option for the future, for myself, or another owner.

Right now my problem is that every time I do some serious work on the car, I notice a few other things that need to be taken care of. Now, most are totally legit, like brake parts that need rebuilding, and none have been terribly expensive so far, but I'm a little afraid to open the hood these days, because I'm afraid I'll find something new to buy. I'm afraid that my tendency to repair every little thing will magnify and move from calipers and master cylinders to body clips and trim, down to random pieces of carpet and headliner, to gauge needles and whatnot.

When do you stop? For me, its when the car is safe, effective, and not in danger of further damaging itself. Someday, when I have more space to work and more resources, I might allow myself more freedom in that sense.

peace,
sam