Hi Ben,

A couple of questions or points to possibly consider. If the paint is just oxidized but otherwise intact and structurally sound, you could have tge paint polished back and then clear coat the car only to provide depth and pop for about $1000. This works best on solid colors. Heaviliy oxidized metalics often cant be polished without distortion.

Your estimates are in line for having a shop do it with a partial tear down and trim removal. If you can do the prep, you can save big on paint. The less work they have to do, the less it costs you.

I just got my 87 300TD back from paint, $1k 5 yr warranty, I'm happy, a little overspray on tape lines that I will clean up, but I did all the trim removal myself and basically gave them a sand/prep/paint job that they could turn around in 2 days.

Realistically, the folks at the shop will probably bugger up the car trim on removal. If they dont specialize on old Benzs, they wont take the time to do it right. You will be better off taking your time and doing the trim removal yourself otherwise expect to find double sided tape in lieu of clips.

6 people worked on my car, only one was barely older than the car.

Good luck, the reward is often worth the effort with a keeper.

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Stable Mates:
1987 300TD 310K mi (Hans)
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee OM642 165k mi (Benzrokee)