Rust - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Parrot of Doom · #1 12-22-2007, 07:38 AM

This is a bad bit of rust thats been growing the last couple of years on my car:

Now I'm not all that bothered about it, I take care of the car mechanically and electrically so its reliable, as for the body so long as it looks reasonably presentable I'm happy. I'm saving for another TVR so all my 'keeping car nice' money will be spent on that - the Mercedes will just be a daily hack.

However this bit of rust is starting to get a bit too obvious. Its on the offside front wing, between the headlights and front wheel.

The wing removes easily enough, 4 bolts IIRC, bumper and headlight off. The reverse side of the wing looks like this:

Jokes aside about Mercedes and rust, I want to attempt a DIY rust fix on this. I'm thinking of sanding it down to bare metal, treating it with some anti-rust preparation I have from Frosts restoration (puts zinc on IIRC), and then putting some layers of paint back down.

Before I embarrass myself and make a right hash of it, how feasible would this all be? I'm not too worried about paint matching, its metallic paint, just as long as whatever I end up with is less noticeable than it looking like someone spilt a can of baked beans on it. I don't think too much metal is gone, you certainly can't poke anything through it.

rg2098 · #2 12-22-2007, 10:42 PM

The metal is gone, its not as simple as just sanding it down and re-painting.

Skid Row Joe · #3 12-23-2007, 12:00 AM

Boy!!:Is that thing ever rusting! Good luck...........

stcbenz83 · #4 01-01-2008, 08:57 PM

good ol Chrysler craftsmanship

#5 01-03-2008, 02:07 PM

That's horrible how a "new" Mercedes like that, can rust like that!
Scares me a little... No, a lot.

bob_98sr5 · #6 01-22-2008, 01:57 AM

parrot,

drop the bumper asap and you'll find a lot more rust than you probably (want to) imagine. remember, rust grows from the inside out. i betch your mounts are rusty too, so take care of that or youll have a loosey bumper

you will have rust between the bumper seam and the body panel itself. read my blog b/c i've treated the same kind of rust in the same kinds of areas (biodieselbob.blogspot.com)

somethings ive learned about rust treatment:

- better to cut out if possible but leave a structure for a patch
- you can fiberglass patch if non-structural (like this) or weld a metal patch in.
- if you fiberglass patch, get the rust scales off, but leave some for the rust patch product to "grip" onto. por15 makes a fiberglass kit, so does eastwood.
- if you use body filler, try to find one that is non-hydroscopic (iirc). that means, that the body filler has fiberglass strands in it. typical bondo will absorb water. might as well buy the best stuff for this repair
- small area painting: look up www.paintscratch.com. they seem to have a very good rep and can match just about any paint

feel free to email me or PM

bob

vtxflyer · #7 03-04-2008, 11:41 PM

I'd be willing to bet that the area has been repaired before. The bumper has some strange looking marks on it. Reminds me of my 300E before I had it repaired by a bodyshop.

260E260E · #8 03-16-2008, 10:24 PM

It looks like those bolts have been replaced on the top by the hood latch. I bet it was repaired before. I have a 1998 E430 with some small rust bubbles that I hope don't look like this on the inside. I better get to them now!!!!

pentoman · #9 04-20-2008, 01:13 PM

Jesus christ

Hello POD off pistonheads! Sad sight - but is it structural or MOT fail worthy?

Parrot of Doom · #10 04-20-2008, 05:02 PM

nah, just ugly. Structurally the car is fine, I've been under and checked

The crossmember under the oil pan is completely rust free.

pentoman · #11 04-20-2008, 05:50 PM

Just reminded me that the 300 diesel and the V8 models did have concern a little bit back about something rusting off, only the heavier engined models so not sure what. Probably what you're talking about - the crossmember