$$ Shock of the day $$

[hauser]

I recently inquired about having a set of full hubcaps painted to match my car.  The set I have on the car right now were done at a cost of $50.00 about 3-4 years ago.  The quality of the work is good but the paint match isn't quite there.

I found a painter that has the Herbert's "formula"  Yesterday I decided to contact him for a price, he responded the next day.  He started thanking me for the inquiry.  It will take three hours per hubcap, a pt of paint about a hundred bucks then there's the hardener, reducer, clear coat and of course tape.  Bottom line his price was $700.00!  Maybe it's the price is the tape

I think I'll quit my current job and become a MB hubcap painter and everyone will send me their hubcaps! 

[mdsalemi]

Some people are just over the top, Hauser--and don't know what the &^%$ they are doing.

I had one hubcap painted locally at my mechanic for about $70.  A few years ago, I had a bulk deal and had 8 of them painted for like half that.  These are not fly by night shops, but those that work on cars considerably more expensive than ANY Pagoda, anywhere.

I'm happy with my wheel covers, I assume Tom Rose is as well (his was the other 4) and there is no reason to even consider a price like $700 unless you love to be taken advantage of.

[hauser]

Hello Mike

I remember the bulk deal you put together.  Unfortunately for me it was a signal red only deal.  The price I was given was unrealistic and that's putting it mildly.  I will find someone who will do a very good job for a fair price.

[Cees Klumper]

Similar story: an SL maintenance, parts & restoration specialist this week quoted EUR 15,000 for one of our fellow-enthusiasts' 280 SL engine rebuild. Now they don't actually do this work themselves; like paint work, they subcontract the work out to ... a specialised engine rebuilder who ... charges EUR 5,000 - 6,000 for that very same job ... so the intermediary charges a EUR 9,000 - 10,000 mark-up as their 'brokering fee' (plus the hours to remove the engine and then reinstall it again - maybe they use a lot of that same masking tape in the process, Hauser!). It pays to shop around ...

[Witt]

......OUTCH!
After spending days to find two good used hub caps for my 1970 280SL, I finally found out that brand new once are available from my local Mercedes Dealer for $60,- retail. New clips not included !
The body shop that painted my car recently explained how to prep and mask the hub caps using "FINSHING-TAPE" for the fine lines. If you do that work yourself, as many other members have done, you save yourself a bundle. He painted and clearcoated the HC for a very reasonable price....and we lived happily ever after....

 Having lost and retrieved a HC previously I following the advise of the Mercedes parts guy and replaced the clips for the other hub caps. They are also relatively inexpensive.

CHEERS !
WITT !

[badali]

I have a stencil but don't remember if it is for the dog dish or the full cover.  I may try it if I need to paint them.  Should be able to avoid the $700 dollar tape.

[TR]

Hi Mike (& Hauser & Ceese & Witt, et al); and yes, those signal red wheel covers turned out very nicely. I'm on a long road trip now and the car is receiving massive attention.

While on the trip I visited a small word-of-mouth shop in Portland, Oregon. Very nice folks, and I found it comforting that a gullwing was also sitting there.  BTW, Jeff, if you're reading this thanks very much for the phone-consultation with the shop owner.

Hauser I hope you are able to find someone who will match the quality and approach the price that Mike was able to land for the two of us.

Thanks again Mike.

Tom Rose

[Ulf]

Hauser, you really should give it at go yourself - I'm not very handy but managed to get a decent (not perfect, but no one will notice) result in 4,5 hours with masking tape, a scalpel, a matching can of spray paint and clear coat. And if I can do it, anybody can :-)

Ulf