I need to repaint the front and rear bumpres on my SDL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WANT '71 280SEL · #1 05-10-2005, 08:41 PM

I did a search and came up with a dupli-color code that was supposedly pretty exact but that code was discontinued over a year ago. Anyways, do any of you guys have any suggestions? I want to have the car painted at MAACO this summer so I could go with a mono-tone look. The thing is though that the the car is a dark grey, somewhat a faded black color. I'll post a pic soon and see what you guys think.

Thanks
David

turbodiesel · #2 05-10-2005, 08:47 PM

I wouldn't go with MAACO unless you know how that particular shop does thier work.. they are all franchises and quality varies GREATLY. You also get what you pay for.

I would find a smaller independant shop and get a quote. Might cost you more but you will be much, much happier.. you won't see the orange peel, fish eyes, drips and faded paint in a few years. Have them do your bumpers at the same time.

WANT '71 280SEL · #3 05-10-2005, 09:00 PM

Here are some pics I just took. Note the touch-up spots from the PO. The PO also spray painted the rims and the bumpers as you can tell in these pics. I plan to go by MAACO this week to see some cars they're doing and talk to the guys there.

Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #4 05-10-2005, 09:01 PM

Here are some more. Now you should be able to see the touch-up spots better. Also, what should I do about the sway bar area? I bought some POR-15 so I figured that should be good till I'm out of law school and buy a new S400 CDI.

Thanks
David

Johnhef · #5 05-10-2005, 09:03 PM

I have done small areas in the past with auto spray paint with good results, If you take your time and coat it evenly it might come out good. Defintly better than what it looks like now. Pep boys for one, sells 'bumper paint' which allows for some flex so the paint won't crack.

WANT '71 280SEL · #6 05-10-2005, 09:04 PM

Regarding the sway bar area (sorry for the constant posts in this one thread), I think I'll remove the booster and master cylinder so I can also get to the sway bar brackets which broke on the 420SEL we used to have and the surrounding area.

Thanks
David

P.S.
I have the spray-paint to paint the headlight wiper arms. How do you guys like the euro setup on the front?

Hatterasguy · #7 05-10-2005, 10:30 PM

The paint on your body looks better then mine! At least from the pics, my front is chipped to hell. The po must have tailgated dump trucks.

Their was a thread a few years back going over how to paint the bumpers.

Let me know how it goes I will be painting mine this summer as well.

As to the sway bar mount can you weld? Want to learn?

If not I would use a strong epoxy like Marine Tex and POR the heck out of it.

WANT '71 280SEL · #8 05-10-2005, 11:10 PM

I want to learn to weld but I think that would be a hard weld considering the surrounding area. Just for kicks I wonder how much that would cost to get fixed at a body shop? They'd probably say it would cost more than the car's worth. My paint's much worse really, you can't see the spots of fading clearcoat, etc. I have yet to polish/wax it because I know that stuff is bad for when the new paint goes on. I've had the car since Decemeber so I might put some polish to see what happens since I could buy a polish remover when I want to send it to get painted.

Hattie, do you think I should go with the mono-tone? I am still stuck in the middle as to what I'd like to do regarding that. I even considered just giong to real black when it gets painted since the color on there now is close to it. That way the door sills wouldn't look too tacky.

Thanks
David

CSchmidt · #9 05-10-2005, 11:43 PM

Want 71,

There are a couple of paint options I have seen around here, and expect they may be available at a NAPA store near you...

#1.. Get a pint / quart of paint mixed up in the color your choice. Do the prep work of sanding and cleaning with lacquer thinner... Prime and paint using an aerosol kit available at NAPA. It has the propellant in a cartridge and a glass jar to contain the paint + reducer. A couple of propellant cartridges should do both bumpers. The advantage to this solution is you can get good quality paint and don't need a compressor to spray.

#2 Some of these same NAPA or other paint stores will mix factory color paints and then load an aerosol paint can (or many) for you. There may be a minimum charge that means you really get 4-6 cans for the minimum charge.

It is still your choice on the color. Also be sure on the prep for the surface, sand, clean, prime, resand, and clean again.

Chuck

WANT '71 280SEL · #10 05-11-2005, 12:57 AM

I planned to sand the bumpers and fill if necessary to get them even, it's just the painting I'd be stuck on. I have access to a high quality compressor but I don't want to have to buy a spray gun if I'll only use it once for two bumpers.

Thanks
David

BobK · #11 05-11-2005, 08:11 AM

Another option:
I have heard through a very reliable source that MB has the bumper paint in spray cans. Problem is, some of the dealers don't want to deal with it or don't know it exists. The stuff has to be ground shipped vs air. Try your dealer in person and see if he won't at least look into getting it for you. My bumpers need painting too.

TX76513 · #12 05-11-2005, 08:35 AM

Want 71 - yes unfortunate that dupli-color (T273??) is gone. I just did my SD bumpers. 200/400/600 sand. Prime with high fill primer. Take the lug cover off the bumper (or jack hole covers) go to paint store and have them match the paint - tell them to add "Flex" to the paint. You will need 1 qt.
The dupli color is OK for doing some touch up areas - put you need to shoot the hole bumper I don't recommend spray cans.

James L · #13 05-11-2005, 09:18 AM

SEM bumper coating dark titanium metallic is the closest that I and others on this site have found. (i have the part number at home). I has a flex agent in it and is specific to bumpers, sold at NAPA ...$11 per spray can. The color is slightly darker, more like the newer W140 S-classes, it looks good. I did my rear bumper on my SD.

Maaco on a Benz!!!!!...come on!

You need a paint shop that is trained in Glasurit (Basf) OE paint!

RockinWagin · #14 05-11-2005, 11:40 AM

I repainted all of my plastic moulding and bumpers using dupli-color bumper paint in dark-charcoal. Darker than original, but all of the ligher shades I tested just did not look right. Then again, I am color blind anyway.

WANT '71 280SEL · #15 05-11-2005, 11:59 AM

TX, did you use a compressor and a spray gun then?

Thanks
David

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