i said i would show you the rust... - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

iNeon · #16 12-24-2005, 05:00 AM

when i say the car sat with a bad battery, i mean it SAT with a bad battery.

i dont think this would happen if it had been used normally. the condition of the car is excellent otherwise, had only 129k on it when i purchased it!

ive since put 20k on it-- 155k here i come!

the dash is terrible and so is the paint. it had to have been parked outside and not driven much at all, that is the only explanation i can put together.

so what exactly is that black piece that is attached to the inner fender right near the hole. if i take a cutter to it and smooth the edges before someone else does the welding work, will it drastically effect the safety of the automobile? i dont want to put fiberglass there, i want metal; original, german metal. the undercoating/sealant wont be a problem and i have por15 from my vw project.

now to find a welder. noone seems to want to be paid for the hours work itll take to put in my vws floor pans, so maybe if i throw two projects their way itll actually happen.

3 years i have been trying to have those floor pans installed. but i prepped the car, removed the body from the chassis and all-- thought it'd make the work easier on them. it seems, though, that they dont want to mess with it since it wont be a high paying gig now.

1200 to do the complete job, including parts was what i was quoted. ive since been quoted 100-150 to just do the welding-- noone wants to make 100 bux an hour? sorry...

*rant complete*

Nate · #17 12-24-2005, 05:05 AM

Id love to make $50 if you fly me down there, and give me a place to eat/sleep

Welding isnt THAT hard... Get a mig for $500 or more, and learn
~Nate

iNeon · #18 12-24-2005, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nateid15

Id love to make $50 if you fly me down there, and give me a place to eat/sleep

Welding isnt THAT hard... Get a mig for $500 or more, and learn
~Nate

if i had 500 dollars, i wouldnt have had to even make this thread

Palangi · #19 12-24-2005, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

when i was working with my friend and his MR2 he was having corrosion on the terminals so i cleaned them lit a nice lavender candle then poured the wax over the terminals.. hasnt seen corrosion since..

Be careful with this. An open flame around a battery is very dangerous. A gob of chassis grease works just as well without creating an explosion hazard.

JamesDean · #20 12-24-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ara T.

I'd think so, it would explain our rusted battery trays.

actually- my rusted battery tray was not caused by battery acid, rather it was caused by a cracked windshield washer check valve (in the hood just above the battery) when ever i would run the wipers some fluid would come out of the cracks in the vavle and flow down to the tray-sit there and rust....check your valve out.

Mitch H · #21 12-24-2005, 12:22 PM

Ever since I owned a 1970's Subaru, I noticed that mine wasn't the only one with a rusted out top section on the right fender near the battery.

Since MBZ used better metal on my old cars, and lower regulator voltage, the problem is far less obvious, but I still think it's worth an extra $50 every 5-8 years for a Optima sealed battery, just for the rustproofing benefit.

phidauex · #22 12-24-2005, 12:32 PM

I've got a pair of MBZ original sealed batteries from some newer MB that came with my car. They don't leak anything.

I'd recommend painting the tray (when you are done fixing the rust) with something like POR-15 that is supposed to be acid-proof, and add an absorbent pad just for good measure.

And seriously think about getting a welder and learning how to weld, especially if old cars are something you plan on continuing with. Its really a lot easier than you think it is. Just get a book, Haynes has a good welding manual, actually, a used small MIG, like a Millermatic 135 or a Hobart Handler 125, a small rental tank, a basic autodimming helmet (50$) and get practicing. You can have your own cottage welding business in no time.

peace,
sam