Before Photo - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#31 05-30-2003, 08:39 PM

nice paint job. high quality

LOWMILE · #32 05-31-2003, 09:38 AM

It was at the body shop for three weeks engatwork. They were very good at letting me take the during photos. I still have to attach the polished chrome sill plate's. Also I am waiting on some very small clips that attach the eyebrow moulding over the headlight's you have to use the Mercedes trim screw's and clips for this piece of trim. If you use to long of a screw you can dimple the top of the fender. I also have to install the passenger side rocker moulding, the new rocker trim came from ups bent as bad as the rocker trim that I took off.

sublettd · #33 05-31-2003, 01:07 PM

With only 23,000+ on it, why did the car need to be repainted???

Thanks,

LOWMILE · #34 05-31-2003, 06:05 PM

As the story goes... The woman who owned this car left it under the carport after her husband died. She would come home and felt hubbie was "home" just as long as that car was in the drive! Then she needed a new roof and all sentiment quickly faded like the paint on this low mile gem.The car was parked half under a carport for over 12 years it sat on four flat tire's for over four of that 12 years. Two of the hubcaps sat on the lawn long enough for the lawn to rust them out but I have since replaced them. I use the hubcats and steel rims (my wife think they look neat.) And I like the aluminum wheels so we change back and fourth. Other than that every nut and bolt is original and unmolested. The original Becker radio is in storage... in case I ever show this gem. The only problem was that the metal paints in the 70's were base coat clear coat. This was yet to be perfected so left to the sun even indirectly would cause the clear coat to boil off. Under the hard top the soft top boot was like new, as it was shaded from the UV rays somewhat. Also it has been told to me that this car was assembled in Stutgarrd whole or SKD semi knocked down and shipped in a container. Interior door panels or some such parts were put on here in the states. This was done to skirt some import taxes levied by USDOT The same person told me that the hood trunk lid and hardtop are painted at a different time/place as the rest of the car in Stuttgard. So when you see these old cars you will notice a different fade to these pieces. The "craze on the hood trunk lid and hardtop were bad enough on my SL combine that with some door dings. I just figured that a complete pro paint job in the correct color was in order. Some friends told me to leave the old paint and show the car in survivor (spelling?) class but I wanted something to wax over the summer. And the craze of the paint would hang on to the wax and cause wax spiderwebs. I love to stare at this car in my driveway. It is like the guy in the Lexus commercial I keep opening the garage door and just stare, on and off all night until the wife yell's at me to come to bed. I can hardly wait to give her the first coat of wax. My SL I mean...Any suggestions?

Ballroomman · #35 05-31-2003, 07:41 PM

their was a thread on detailing earlyer.Check it out.

it is wonderfull to read your'e story. i feel like that every time i open my garage door. i am lucky enough that i can drive it every day to work.(its a short drive) butt reminds me how great live can be

sublettd · #36 05-31-2003, 08:50 PM

Lowmile,

Neat story. Bet you're glad I asked, huh? ha!

As to your wax question. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND Liquid Glass. I'm sure we all have our favorites, but Liquid Glass is far and away better than any wax/polish I've ever come across. Stuff goes on and comes off like Turtle Wax, but shines like a new born baby's butt! It tends to streak a bit on dark colors such as my red SL, but buffs out easy enough with a damp cloth.

My 300D is what appears to be the same color as your SL...Champagne Metallic...and I put a coat on it today. No streaking at all. Also, you can put multiple coats of Liquid Glass on your vehicles. I probably have a dozen coats on the SL and NEVER take it out that I don't get compliments on it.

In fact, about a month ago my wife and I were stopped at a traffic light, and I heard this GIANT VOICE say, "Nice car!!!". Looked over my shoulder and a State Trooper in an unmarked car was putting his microphone away. Made my day!!!

Cheers!

jjrodger · #37 06-01-2003, 06:09 AM

Nice story. I like the steel hub caps, too; but then, I also like the alu rims!

i feel the same way about my SL. It really is a dream-come-true car for me, I just love driving it. I use it every day (probably will put 30k+ miles a year on it) so I cannot keep it perfect, but I try. It alwats attracts compliments. I use zymol wax. I first used HD-Cleanse and then Carbon wax, but now I use the cheaper Cleaner Wax. It is 95% as good and much more of a pleasure (i.e. easier) to apply.

LOWMILE · #38 06-01-2003, 11:22 AM

Hey JJROGER Picked up some Zymol cleaner wax at Target. It is blue in color and smells like tanning creme! Love that smell. It just does not get any better than to break out the Zymol and tummy lube.. (Miller Lite) and go at it. I am going to wait one more week until I use any wax or silicone product on the SL. The body shop said at least three weeks so i guess I better wait. I put on the chrome sill's today and that really brightened up the thresholds. It is really supposed to have a brown rubber mat but the seatbelt when closed inside the door sill rips the heck out of the rubber so I am going to use a chrome sill for this summer anyways. It will be something different to look at!

LOWMILE · #39 06-01-2003, 09:45 PM

I am not sure if I like these chrome sills...I may have to replace them with the oem rubber ones. What do you folks think?

LOWMILE · #40 06-01-2003, 09:57 PM

The interior of my 23000 mile Sl is truly a time capsule however the center console is faded from UV (sunlight) This color (Bamboo) is not available from MB or Performance Product's or anyone else that I have contacted. Has anyone had any luck with dye and if so where did you get the dye from I have looked at some threads and I am not sure if I want to tackle this right now. I fell and broke my back (L2 sacro lumbar vertabrae) at work so I really am leary about working under the dash. I have attached a picture to show the degree of fade.

LOWMILE · #41 06-02-2003, 08:59 PM

SUBLETTD I have used Liquid Glass before and I agree it is very good, I have not used it in years I guess you try new wax product's and you can forget about what has worked and what is work. I used some cheap Turtle wax stuff on the company vehicle and liked it! The products that contain oil's like Meguirs polish or Eagle wet has worked good on the company vehicle as well. It brings back that wet look that has faded over the years. On my new paint I think that I am going to use some Zymol just because I love the smell so much. But I think that Liquid glass will be given a try this summer as well. Thanks,
Ernie

sublettd · #42 06-02-2003, 09:18 PM

Ernie,

I used the Eagle Wet One polish prior to coming across the Liquid Glass. I liked the way it looked on the cars, but it doesn't come close to the Liquid Glass. Never tried the Zymol, but know that it has to be an excellent product as well. I just like the fact you can apply multiple coats with the LG, and have done so frequently.

afmcorp · #43 06-10-2003, 08:01 PM

hi lowmile,

i've been so engrossed with the work on my 88 420 that i never seem to come to this sl forum. i'm sure glad i did. your car is absolutely puss. the paint job is as good as i've seen and it looks original just like it belongs. i love it.

i have a 72 my self. i'm just now getting involved in it's remake. i attached a foto.

i have bought every book, manual and picture of the 72 version i could find. i'm trying to be original to the options. i've got a question. your console has wood trim and the climate control plate. was that offered in 72 either by the factory or as a dealer add on?

as beautiful as your car is you may not be happy with a painted console. unless they've improved the adherence the vinyl painted i used peeled off after a short time. i've used it on some vette seats i installed in my 33 plymouth and then on some vinyl dash items for my 64 ranchero. my console is black and has had the top on most of it's life so the plastic seems ok but the carpet has faded.

i was thinking about making up some dye and brushing it on cause my 88 needs it too. so i won an auction for a trunk carpet from world upholstery. so i had them make me up a set of matts with the same "350sl" style as my 420 sel has (came out super) but they had a dye for the carpet. so i'm getting ready to start that project. you might call the guy www.worlduph.com he may have something.

on your door sills did you see the brushed stainless on ebay. obviously they are brushed surface but they have a strip in the middle that is chrome with the words mercedes benz. they look good on the site but i've been unsure if they would look ok. i bought a set or door edge guards but like you i'm not sure if i'll put them on.

let me know about the wood dash. let us all know if you find a fix for faded plastics.

i'm in nw indiana and belong to the indy mbclub maybe we'll cross paths.

oh btw you are keep that car in the house lol
tks
craig

LOWMILE · #44 06-10-2003, 11:39 PM

Hey AFMCORP thank's for the kind comment's I will try world upholstery for some dye. My console would look better if it was the correct color. The sun can suck the color right out of the darn thing. But the rest of the interior is perfectl! I don't know why but that panel seem's to alway's get a little more sun damage than the rest of the interior. I am not sure if the 350SL had wood as an option back in 72 but I do know that you can now buy the wood trim and put it on your 350SL dash. They sell it at Performance Prouducts. I think that you have to cut certain hole's with a razor knife. I kind of like the way my dash looks now and I really don't want to add anything aftermarket or non original to my car. The aftermarket chrome sills not growing on me...they stick out a little so that you can see them while looking at the outside of the car. Yes we might run into each other some day. I am thinking about joing MBZ club if nothing else but for the magizine (The Star?) I hear the Illinois chapter gets togather at an ice cream joint in Bensenville Illinois this summer. I would like to take my lowmiler and see if anyone like's it as much as I do.

LOWMILE · #45 06-10-2003, 11:42 PM

HEY, AFMCORP my wife said that she wishes our SL was that color red her fave SL color. She also want's me to put on the hubcap's and take off the aluminum rims. I like them both!