Just saw the first photo of the car in photobucket. Was the original color green? It's obvious the top of the car needs some rust conversion/inhibitor. Go get a quart of OSPHO and prime the roof with that. Can be used as a primer. It's black, and you continue painting it on til all of the rust no longer bleeds through red/orange. Then put on one more coat for added protection, and keep truckin'. Hope you're already enjoying your purchase.

Also, where in NM are you located???

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1983 300D, the "Avocado"
1976 240D, 4-spd the "Pumpkin", SOLD to Pierre
1984 190D, 2.2L, 5-spd, my intro to MBZ diesels, crashed into in 2002