Paint recommendation: monotone or two tone

[pablo2696]

Hi all!

I need to send my car to the body shop in the upcoming weeks because I need to paint and repair both bumpers, front right fender, and the lower cladding. I´m debating whether I keep my 93 500E dual tone or if I go all black (199 paint). I wanted to know your opinion on which one to chose. I´m having a hard time deciding about this because I like them both, so if any member has their pre-facelift car in monotone please share your pics to help me decide.

thank you all!

 

[vatc5637]

Hi all!

I need to send my car to the body shop in the upcoming weeks because I need to paint and repair both bumpers, front right fender, and the lower cladding. I´m debating whether I keep my 93 500E dual tone or if I go all black (199 paint). I wanted to know your opinion on which one to chose. I´m having a hard time deciding about this because I like them both, so if any member has their pre-facelift car in monotone please share your pics to help me decide.

thank you all!

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I have a 1993 500E in 199 that I switched from two-tone to monotone soon after I bought it. Pictures are in my owner's thread. Either way you can't go wrong, go with your gut. One bit of advice, I used an inexpensive shop and now I'm learning why it was inexpensive. Morale of the story, you get what you pay for so make sure whomever paints your lowers knows what they are doing and takes all of the trim (and all of the lowers) off the car before painting them. My only consolation is that in keeping them on the car they didn't break any of the trim clips! Next time (probably fairly soon), I will remove both bumpers, all of the cladding, and trim pieces myself and take them to the painter. One additional thing to consider, some other members had suggested painting the lowers a different shade of black, like 040 or one of the newer MB blacks, instead of 199.

 

[gsxr]

If possible, remove the bumpers & cladding yourself, and bring them to the shop. Be very careful with the side cladding, particulary the fender pieces, which are NLA and irreplaceable.

2-tone vs mono is personal preference. I like the monochrome treatment with 199, but you are the one who has to look at it every day! I don't know if I've seen any photos of a car with a different color black on the lowers (i.e., 040) and I'd definitely want to see lots of photos before doing something unusual like that.

 

[TerryA]

My preference is monochrome but my car is 040. I would think that the 199 should not look that much different than my 040.

One thing I see is the front lower fascia has already been repaired and has a lot of filler under the paint. I damaged my fascia in a similar fashion when I got to close to a high curb. I removed it from the car to have it re-finished. If I were you I would do the same and remove the fascia and have it stripped bare. Make sure to have it re-enforced on the backside and primered properly with good primer or the paint will not stick well.

FWIW, After I had mine re-finished I had it covered with 3M "Clear-Bra" to protect it from stone chips. Between the re-finish and the Clear-Bra I spent $600.00 but it was well worth it.

Pablo, I have no idea how much $$$? you have budgeted for this work. I think the most important thing you can do id spend all the time you can prepping the car and make sure you choose a good painter that does quality work and do what Dave says and take off as much trim as you can safely. Be very careful with the plastic trim parts that may not be replaced.

As far as the look between the duel tone or monochrome. It's your choice YOU have to live with it. Ether way it will look great.

Take Care

 

[ace10]

Here's a link to the BaT 036 auction list.

500E & E500

Browse and bid online for the chance to own a Mercedes-Benz 500E & E500 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online.

bringatrailer.com

Plenty of 199s to look over.


Personally, I like the Pearl Black (199) on my W201 Cosworth, but it's a much smaller car with a much more busy style.

I think I prefer the originality of the two tone paint scheme on the 124.

 

[northNH]

I went from this to that...

 

[pablo2696]

Hi all

Thanks for your answers!

I have a 1993 500E in 199 that I switched from two-tone to monotone soon after I bought it. Pictures are in my owner's thread. Either way you can't go wrong, go with your gut. One bit of advice, I used an inexpensive shop and now I'm learning why it was inexpensive. Morale of the story, you get what you pay for so make sure whomever paints your lowers knows what they are doing and takes all of the trim (and all of the lowers) off the car before painting them. My only consolation is that in keeping them on the car they didn't break any of the trim clips! Next time (probably fairly soon), I will remove both bumpers, all of the cladding, and trim pieces myself and take them to the painter. One additional thing to consider, some other members had suggested painting the lowers a different shade of black, like 040 or one of the newer MB blacks, instead of 199.

Unfortunately, I have also realized why some shops are very inexpensive compared to other ones... I´m planning on also removing both bumpers and all of the cladding by myself. I didn´t think about a different shade of black, I´ll look more into it. Btw, your car looks very nice, specially with those evo wheels

If possible, remove the bumpers & cladding yourself, and bring them to the shop. Be very careful with the side cladding, particulary the fender pieces, which are NLA and irreplaceable.

2-tone vs mono is personal preference. I like the monochrome treatment with 199, but you are the one who has to look at it every day! I don't know if I've seen any photos of a car with a different color black on the lowers (i.e., 040) and I'd definitely want to see lots of photos before doing something unusual like that.

I´m trying to see as many pictures as possible in order to make the best decision for me. In the end, I know that I will like the car either way, but I don´t want to be thinking that I would´ve liked the car more the other way. I am planning on removing bumpers and cladding by myself and I´ll buy all the clips required for reinstallation if they are still in stock.

My preference is monochrome but my car is 040. I would think that the 199 should not look that much different than my 040.

One thing I see is the front lower fascia has already been repaired and has a lot of filler under the paint. I damaged my fascia in a similar fashion when I got to close to a high curb. I removed it from the car to have it re-finished. If I were you I would do the same and remove the fascia and have it stripped bare. Make sure to have it re-enforced on the backside and primered properly with good primer or the paint will not stick well.

FWIW, After I had mine re-finished I had it covered with 3M "Clear-Bra" to protect it from stone chips. Between the re-finish and the Clear-Bra I spent $600.00 but it was well worth it.

Pablo, I have no idea how much $$$? you have budgeted for this work. I think the most important thing you can do id spend all the time you can prepping the car and make sure you choose a good painter that does quality work and do what Dave says and take off as much trim as you can safely. Be very careful with the plastic trim parts that may not be replaced.

As far as the look between the duel tone or monochrome. It's your choice YOU have to live with it. Ether way it will look great.

Take Care

I have no idea how much it will cost me just the bumpers and the cladding, but I was quoted around US$2,500 for a full restray and the painter removing everything (headlights, bumpers, grills, door handles, side mirrors, etc). Before getting a new quote for bumpers and cladding, I want to figure out which color I want them to be. This quote is from the expensive side of the range since it is from a "high-end" place that has experience working with MB, Audi´s, Lexus and other luxury and sport brands.

I didn´t think about removing the front bumper´s fascia... Its a great idea! I´ll definitely do that and I will also look more into the 3M "clear-bra".

Here's a link to the BaT 036 auction list.

500E & E500

Browse and bid online for the chance to own a Mercedes-Benz 500E & E500 at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online.

bringatrailer.com

Plenty of 199s to look over.


Personally, I like the Pearl Black (199) on my W201 Cosworth, but it's a much smaller car with a much more busy style.

I think I prefer the originality of the two tone paint scheme on the 124.

Thank you!! This is great This webpage will help me a lot to make up my mind.

 

[gsxr]

My previous 1992 500E (sold circa 2013) was 199 Pearl Black, with monochrome treatment. Photos at the link below:

http://www.w124performance.com/images/cars/misc/92_500E_Black/

Sample:

 

[alfagta]

My monotone smoke silver ‘92.

 

[outrbnks]

Hi all

I have no idea how much it will cost me just the bumpers and the cladding, but I was quoted around US$2,500 for a full respray and the painter removing everything (headlights, bumpers, grills, door handles, side mirrors, etc).

$2500 is incredibly inexpensive for a full respray, I got my 199 out of the paint shop 2 months ago. Are you sure that painter will give you a good finish for that price? I went with mono color, figuring it would be easy to go back to two tone if ever desired. But I have to say I am very pleased with the mono tone and I won't be changing back. Good Luck...

 

[Dunnik]

Either way you can't go wrong, go with your gut.

This ^

 

[TerryA]

$2500 is incredibly inexpensive for a full respray, I got my 199 out of the paint shop 2 months ago. Are you sure that painter will give you a good finish for that price? I went with mono color, figuring it would be easy to go back to two tone if ever desired. But I have to say I am very pleased with the mono tone and I won't be changing back. Good Luck...

The "Cost of Living" in Costa Rica is way lower than the US. Many US retirees move there just for that reason. I have only visited but my one purchase is a cane that cost me $10.00 US that I have a similar one that I paid $110.00 for 30 years ago. On a tour we stopped for lunch at a roadside restaurant. Lunch was prepaid but a long neck bottle of Budwiser was $1.00. Just say'n .

 

[gsxr]

Terry is correct. Costs are much different there... could be the equivalent of a $7-$10k paint job in USA. (??)

BTW, if possible, try to find a shop that will use Sikkens or Glasurit paints. If it isn't top-quality paint, you'll be filling chips in the paint for the next 20 years.

 

[pablo2696]

$2500 is incredibly inexpensive for a full respray, I got my 199 out of the paint shop 2 months ago. Are you sure that painter will give you a good finish for that price? I went with mono color, figuring it would be easy to go back to two tone if ever desired. But I have to say I am very pleased with the mono tone and I won't be changing back. Good Luck...

For Costa Rica, a $2,500 full respray is on the expensive side. I can find cheaper resprays for a range of $800-$1500 but I don't wanna risk it with my car. Like @TerryA mentioned, Costa Rica has a lower cost of living compared to the U.S. because all services and service-based products are cheaper here. And if you go to other Latin American countries like Nicaragua, Guatemala, and México you will find ever cheaper prices on services and product-based services.

Btw, your 500E looks amazing and I think I'm already conviced to make mine just one color.

The "Cost of Living" in Costa Rica is way lower than the US. Many US retirees move there just for that reason. I have only visited but my one purchase is a cane that cost me $10.00 US that I have a similar one that I paid $110.00 for 30 years ago. On a tour we stopped for lunch at a roadside restaurant. Lunch was prepaid but a long neck bottle of Budwiser was $1.00. Just say'n .

On top of the that, if you like beaches, surfing, volcanoes, and hiking just 2-3 hrs away from southern USA, this is the right place to retire

Terry is correct. Costs are much different there... could be the equivalent of a $7-$10k paint job in USA. (??)

BTW, if possible, try to find a shop that will use Sikkens or Glasurit paints. If it isn't top-quality paint, you'll be filling chips in the paint for the next 20 years.

I don't know which brand they will use, but I'll make sure it is a top-notch paint like those you mentioned.

 

[gsxr]

Definitely ask what paints they use. I've personally not had good results with DuPont. Paint shops are generally married to a particular brand of paint and usually either don't want to, or are unable to, special order a different brand (i.e Sikkens, Glasurit, BASF). They will also typically convince you that whatever paint they use, is the best thing ever, and not to listen to the crazy people on the internets.

Regardless of what is used, DEFINITELY follow Terry's recommendation to apply a clear paint protection film on all areas which are prone to chips. This means at a minimum the lower half the front bumper, the headlight wiper trim panels, both door mirror covers (these are easy to take apart, btw), and the leading & trailing edges of the rocker covers. And maybe the rear bumper behind the tires, and the rear fender trim piece...