I have a couple of nice collector cars. One of them (more than 30 years old) which I dearly love and is a driver, has bubbling in many places, and underbody rust, and other rust, but still looks great. However, I do not want to spend crazy money on this car at this point, and prefer to keep it a very nice driver, not a show car. The other car is different.

Therefore, can anybody suggest what I should do? I only want to spend perhaps maximum 30,000 on body and paint. The car is a large saloon. (the body is perfect, the chrome is perfect, but there is bubbling in several places, and the under body and lower side panels are rusting. At the same time, it could use a new rear window and windshield at the same time, and, oh, by the way, new weather stripping. (yeah I know).

Anyway, any suggestions for putting the rust and bubbling at bay for a few years with a cheap paintjob and maybe bondo? Is that possible for 20-30k?

Bubbles in paint is a sign of rust underneath the paint. Probably from the rear of the panel. There is a product called POR-15 that is a rust neutralizer. It dries shiny black, and will stop the rust in its tracks. You must expose the rusty material, via sanding or grinding, remove any loose/flaky rusty metal, and apply with a paint brush or sprayer. I have always just used a 1" brush for spot repairs. After it dries, touch-up paint can return the panel to close-enuf condition, which is what I think you want. Where to buy in LOS ? Good question. In Canada I have had good luck with it.

Bubbles in paint is a sign of rust underneath the paint. Probably from the rear of the panel. There is a product called POR-15 that is a rust neutralizer. It dries shiny black, and will stop the rust in its tracks. You must expose the rusty material, via sanding or grinding, remove any loose/flaky rusty metal, and apply with a paint brush or sprayer. I have always just used a 1" brush for spot repairs. After it dries, touch-up paint can return the panel to close-enuf condition, which is what I think you want. Where to buy in LOS ? Good question. In Canada I have had good luck with it.

Bondo and overpaint will solve the problem for not more than 3 months (not a couple years). You could use fiberglass in stead of bondo. will hold for 6 or 8 months, but after that you have the same problem again. There is only one way to do it right, cut all the rusty part out and welding new steel inside. Motthly local garages do only bondo work for cheap repairs, but it will not hold. Important is that you seal (paint0 the parts you just welded in, from inside. rust allways comes from inside, when it's buubles, not from outside. I guess 30'k is enought for a "Somchai Job", but not good at all if it's a collector car. BTW, what car you talking about (just curious)?

Thanks Stingray & Seedy. The car still looks almost perfect for its age until you look underneath or at the bubbling around the sunroof, etc.., and small bubbles popping up around the body, I think lots of rust. Original engine, almost perfect leather interior, and spent lots of money to keep it great mechanically. 1979 280se.

I guess I knew a "Somchai job" would not really cut it, but not willing to spend big bugs to do a full proper job. But, really, only a few months? I would have thought a few years?? I have a feeling this will be like looking under a rock. Rust is also in the boot, from water leaks through the outside fuel filler compartment.

Digging for rust is always compared to big surprises .. 555

If you want to restore your car do it properly from the begining or let it be as it is , you only have to make the same work several times and after a while it only looks worse!

Was it a MB -79 280SE was it?

Im sure the model isnt´that un-usuall even in Los , better restore with new front fenders , door and rear panels etc. ..

Another thing .. where is the car located?

Even if we like Siam Bay cars dont like the salty water the way we do .... i remember a 450SE here in falangland who was owned by a guy who worked in the harbor and he always parked a few meters from the water .. after a few years only the fender crome was there!

Yes, Crazyswede, the car lived most of its life relaxing by the Andaman Sea. Yes, it's an MB, but quite rare to find one with original engine and all in LOS. Anyway, it still looks and drives great, and gets lots of comments. I guess I'll just drive it, live with the rust, and then scrap it when the time is ready.

Nice car.

From my experience with cars, and old cars in particular - always start with a good body. Running gear easy to repair/replace, suspension, brakes, wiring are all easy. But sounds like your body is going to need so much work that may not be practical. Of course, anything can be fixed. Just like in racing. Question - how fast can I go. Answer - how much money you got.

I have a couple of nice collector cars. One of them (more than 30 years old) which I dearly love and is a driver, has bubbling in many places, and underbody rust, and other rust, but still looks great. However, I do not want to spend crazy money on this car at this point, and prefer to keep it a very nice driver, not a show car. The other car is different.

Therefore, can anybody suggest what I should do? I only want to spend perhaps maximum 30,000 on body and paint. The car is a large saloon. (the body is perfect, the chrome is perfect, but there is bubbling in several places, and the under body and lower side panels are rusting. At the same time, it could use a new rear window and windshield at the same time, and, oh, by the way, new weather stripping. (yeah I know).

Anyway, any suggestions for putting the rust and bubbling at bay for a few years with a cheap paintjob and maybe bondo? Is that possible for 20-30k?

If your in Chiangmai PM me. Have worked on many respray jobs in the past.