New roof carrier
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 129
From: Orlando, FL
2015 GL550 4matic
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 295
Likes: 4
From: Long island, NY
2012 E350 4matic/97 e320 and 01 ml320
Thanks.
2 coats of paint and 2 coats of clear.
I used ppg omni with a lvlp gun.
Mule run!! Lol
Actually NY to FL. Listen, my wife travels with 3 bags minimum of shoes and over packs for vacation. My son receives so much damn presents from my fam down south its unreal.
Went with the truck 2wice already. It's time to break in the E.
I used ppg omni with a lvlp gun.
Mule run!! Lol
Actually NY to FL. Listen, my wife travels with 3 bags minimum of shoes and over packs for vacation. My son receives so much damn presents from my fam down south its unreal.
Went with the truck 2wice already. It's time to break in the E.
Last edited by topdeez; Dec 11, 2015 at 01:04 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
Looks great I will probably do the one I have but I was scared that the paint would not hold up from the stuff from the road flying up.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 295
Likes: 4
From: Long island, NY
2012 E350 4matic/97 e320 and 01 ml320
Once you prep the plastic and prime it properly it would be the same exposure as your front bumpers. Just don't drive behind trucks!! If you want further protection, probably the 3m clear bra can be applied.
Auto paint will be far superior to can paint in this application.
Rock
Auto paint will be far superior to can paint in this application.
Rock
Last edited by topdeez; Dec 11, 2015 at 01:19 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 695
From: Northwest Illinois
2014 E350 also restored: 1969 Camaro convertible SS 1957 Chevy Belair 2dr hardtop
I have painted 3 old cars but when I painted the mud flaps on the Mercedes they cracked and split the first time I hit a speed bump. Had to remove the mud flaps. That is why I am skeptical on painting plastic. It looks fantastic once done but short lived. Let me know how it looks after your trip. If it still looks great I will give it a try. Thanks
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 295
Likes: 4
From: Long island, NY
2012 E350 4matic/97 e320 and 01 ml320
I will keep you updated after the trip.
The Thule came with an already silver painted finish ment for the road conditions. I sanded it with 600, primed, paint and then cleared. So I did not have to go through the paint bonding to plastic from scratch. I bought the sonic because of the smooth painted body opposed to the cascade with the dimpled texture.
Rock
The Thule came with an already silver painted finish ment for the road conditions. I sanded it with 600, primed, paint and then cleared. So I did not have to go through the paint bonding to plastic from scratch. I bought the sonic because of the smooth painted body opposed to the cascade with the dimpled texture.
Rock
Last edited by topdeez; Dec 11, 2015 at 07:14 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 206
Likes: 38
From: Southern
2014 E-350
I have painted 3 old cars but when I painted the mud flaps on the Mercedes they cracked and split the first time I hit a speed bump. Had to remove the mud flaps. That is why I am skeptical on painting plastic. It looks fantastic once done but short lived. Let me know how it looks after your trip. If it still looks great I will give it a try. Thanks
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 295
Likes: 4
From: Long island, NY
2012 E350 4matic/97 e320 and 01 ml320
Results
Ok, I'm back from my 2400 mile trip and I must say the painted roof carrier held up as expected. No rock chips at all. I just had to wash off a few dead bugs.
I lost 1.5 mpg overall due to the carrier and extra weight, not bad at all.
There is noticeable wind noise when you drive over 78mph. Any speed under that and you don't even know it's there. Speed limit in most of the states were 70mph.
I lost 1.5 mpg overall due to the carrier and extra weight, not bad at all.
There is noticeable wind noise when you drive over 78mph. Any speed under that and you don't even know it's there. Speed limit in most of the states were 70mph.
Last edited by topdeez; Dec 29, 2015 at 02:36 PM.
