Thinking about buying a 1981 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dude99 · #1 07-25-2010, 10:00 PM

Hey all, the time has come to retire my '79 and this 300SD popped up on my local craigslist. I've emailed the poster for some pics of the interior but have a question about the peeling clear coat that it viable on the trunk and roof. How much would it coast to have these areas re cleared, and is that even possible? The car has 350 000 kms and he's asking $1300 What do ya think?

sixto · #2 07-25-2010, 10:06 PM

I don't think you'll find a shop that will spray new clear over old paint. It's going to have to be redone -- paint and clear or just paint that doesn't need clearcoat.

Live with the paint for a while. The first order of business is to get proper wheels on that car. Aside from the questionable style, the offset doesn't look right.

Sixto
87 300D

dude99 · #3 07-25-2010, 10:23 PM

What do you mean by the offset? You mean that they are spaced too far out from the hub? Also, I don't suppose I could just buy some of that rattle can automotive clear and do the area's myself, to at least improve the look until I get it painted?

vstech · #4 07-25-2010, 10:36 PM

ive been driving my 82 SD like that for 10 years. I have been partially successful scraping off the clear with a razor blade, and waxing really well.
there looks to be a bit of damage in the rear on that car. look it over really well for rust and other damage.
1300 could be a great price, but it could easily be a downpayment on a serious junk pile.
get much more information on the vehicle before plunking down $$

sixto · #5 07-25-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

What do you mean by the offset? You mean that they are spaced too far out from the hub?

Mind you that's a small picture and my vision isn't worth squat. It looks like there is more offset than your car is spec'd for resulting in a narrower track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

Also, I don't suppose I could just buy some of that rattle can automotive clear and do the area's myself, to at least improve the look until I get it painted?

The problem with that is you'll seal the peeling clearcoat in the process and it will continue to delaminate. It won't look any better, just shinier. Maybe you can sand off the old clear but at that point spray color rather than clear.

Sixto
87 300D

tbomachines · #6 07-25-2010, 11:21 PM

Chrome wheel arches = rust rust rust, or at least that is the reputation they have. If you go to inspect that one, be sure to check for rust under those chrome arches. It also does have some rear damage, the bumper is hanging off a bit.

pawoSD · #7 07-25-2010, 11:28 PM

I'd inspect that thing real close for rust. Since you are talking km's, I'll assume you're in Canada, so the car could potentially have tons of rust.

dude99 · #8 07-26-2010, 01:43 AM

Indeed I am in Canada, I'll be sure to check the chrome arches for rust. I too noticed that the rear bumper was hanging a bit. Could that just be a missing bolt or something. SO if I polish the section that's missing the clear it'll look closer to perfect? any chance you could show me a pic of yours? Also, I still don't understand the whole offset thing, could you explain it to me?

sixto · #9 07-26-2010, 01:50 AM

[edit] Make that postive offset all around

Here's some reading on the topic -

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=101

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offset_(wheel)

And some help with the math -

http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

Case in point, W126 6.5" wide wheels have a 21.5mm positive offset, W124 6.5" wide wheels have something like a 49mm positive offset. Putting W124 wheels on a W126 will result in about 2" narrower track.

As I said, those wheels could have an acceptable offset. It just looks narrow in the rear.

Sixto
87 300D

dude99 · #10 07-26-2010, 07:04 PM

Thanks for all the info, will read when I have a moment. I'm ready to go see her but would appreciate a reply on the whole waxing thing before I do. Will waxing the areas where the clear has flaked off at least mask it until I can afford to get her painted?

vstech · #11 07-26-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

Thanks for all the info, will read when I have a moment. I'm ready to go see her but would appreciate a reply on the whole waxing thing before I do. Will waxing the areas where the clear has flaked off at least mask it until I can afford to get her painted?

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=189477

dude99 · #12 07-27-2010, 07:36 PM

cool, thanks for the pics as well as all the links above. Definitely cleared things up for me.