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  #61  
Old 09-10-2008, 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by SwampYankee View Post
Got any pics, Mark? Mine should really be replaced, they're all cracked and hazed. But replacement is a ways down on the priority list. The thought of painting them had crossed my mind.
Maybe someone can post a photo from the next GTG, or I'm just going to have to get a real computer someday.
The headlamp surrounds that came off were in decent shape.
I probably wouldn't have tried this if I didn't already have a couple of crappy spare sets to experiment with.
One of those sets had some small holes and I didn't want to wait for epoxy to dry, so I painted the other crappy set, which had lots of cracking & discoloration, but no holes.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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Last edited by Mark DiSilvestro; 09-10-2008 at 04:28 PM.
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  #62  
Old 09-10-2008, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ImBroke View Post
A page right out of my own book. Mbeige, I'm envious that every part of your car appears perfect. Great job.
Your silver car gave me the idea. I'm just gad that I was able to find Almond spray-paint to match my ivory color.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #63  
Old 09-11-2008, 11:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro View Post
Maybe someone can post a photo from the next GTG, or I'm just going to have to get a real computer someday.
The headlamp surrounds that came off were in decent shape.
I probably wouldn't have tried this if I didn't already have a couple of crappy spare sets to experiment with.
One of those sets had some small holes and I didn't want to wait for epoxy to dry, so I painted the other crappy set, which had lots of cracking & discoloration, but no holes.

Happy Motoring, Mark
Thanks, Mark. Mine are mainly surface cracks and discoloration. I checked out ImBroke's to see what they looked like and I might attempt it.
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  #64  
Old 09-11-2008, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by SwampYankee View Post
Thanks, Mark. Mine are mainly surface cracks and discoloration. I checked out ImBroke's to see what they looked like and I might attempt it.
The trickiest part was finding some spray-paint that would match the Ivory paint on the car. Fortunately the car was repainted the original color, and the paint is still nice and shiny, so I didn't have to worry about trying to match up dull, faded paint.
I bought 4 cans of slighly different shades - Shell White, Antique White, Almond and Ivory ranging from $1 - $4
Then I sprayed 4 test samples on a piece of sheet-metal so I could place them against my fender and see which would be the best match. The winner was Wal-Mart's brand $1 Almond spray-paint. Then I layed the surrounds flat on some cardboard on my kitchen floor to paint so they couldn't be messed up by leaves, dust, bugs, etc...

Hope you have as good luck matching your paint.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #65  
Old 09-11-2008, 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by MBeige View Post
Before:


After:


Next up, redo the grille... but dark gray this time. I have a new plastic ready, but even if it has an MB part number on it, it really looks weird. The fins aren't straight, but taper upwards as it nears the mid-line chrome strip. Plus, the center strip is not as distinct as the original one, and makes it "flat nosed"

So I'll use my old grille for now and just strip the paint...

Need to wait on the 15" Bundts, gotta save up for their restoration and a new set of tires

I don't post new threads as much but I thought this upgrade deserved one. I know many of you already have Euro lights on yours so please welcome me to the club
Like the before better sorry..
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  #66  
Old 09-12-2008, 11:20 AM
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MBeige - one of the first things I noticed about my new 300D is the lack of illumination coming from the headlights. I am leaning towards the euro lights, too. Can I ask if yours are the real thing or aftermarket like Depos? How hard is the conversion?

Thanks,
Mark
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  #67  
Old 09-12-2008, 03:06 PM
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Mark, they're the real deal, with vacuum pods for beam adjustment as well. There are four mounting points per headlight, the inboard US DOT points need to be swapped to the correct spots (it'll be obvious once you get them together). The wiring needs to be swapped, and you'll need the 6-pin socket. If you want to get the city light, you can simply tap into the original park light function, leave the double contact bulb there but mask off whichever contact is not needed. That way you don't need to change the socket adapter for a single contact bulb.

Since you guys brought this up, might as well update this thread! Took many pics last night, but this time it's not a "new look" but more of a "new perspective" - cheers!


Outside








Close ups...






Inside





About those 15" Bundts - sent for restoration. The problem on one, was that the center cap mount was badly damaged so we'll see how that turns out. Hopefully it can still be mended...
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  #68  
Old 09-12-2008, 10:16 PM
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Of course I had to go the other way - removing the broken Euros and installing the USA lights. And my Euro TD already has the dash-control & vacuum plumbing for the headlight height adjustment.
For $120, I can get new glass covers for the Euros, but I'm concerned why the right headlamp looks so much more dull than the left. I haven't pulled off the cracked glass to see if the reflector can be cleaned, or if it's permanently moisture-damaged.
I haven't priced a new reflector either.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #69  
Old 09-13-2008, 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by ImBroke View Post
A page right out of my own book. Mbeige, I'm envious that every part of your car appears perfect. Great job.
The key word is "appears" ... in truth it isn't. That's the worst part, I know what isn't perfect but others think it is. Kinda wish I didn't know

I've decided, I might give Meguiar's Exterior Detailer a try on the headlights. We'll see, I'll open it up this weekend, and install the fresh new lenses and gasket after letting it dry completely. Worse comes to worst, I won't touch them anymore, just clean them thoroughly and reinstall.

Mark, the reflectors cannot be purchased separately, as far as I know. The lenses, as you already know, can.

Here's a fun fact: the W126/W116 C-pillar reading lamps, have bulbs in them that have pointed tips instead of rounded off, as in the city lights. These pointy bulbs, fit in place of the city light function, and are said to be much, much whiter than the rounded ones. Hope to install my pair when I replace the lenses. Also awaiting the headlight adjust switch from a friend of mine.

I can now appreciate the city light function, over the standard DOT spec lighting. With the city light in the European configuration, you can drive in the daytime (sunset/dusk) with them on, and won't look "odd" with only the side markers on (in the US DOT system). So I use them during the day. We'll see, also, if the fog lights have this yellow "cap" similar to the W124/W201 setup. I have one my friend gave me, perhaps I can bug him for the other one too.

Also, I'm going to install a pair of Bosch Europa horns. I'm surprised, because I got them real cheap, but on eBay they go for $300! That's six times the money I paid for my set, and both items are identical and have everything complete, even the Bosch relay.

Last edited by MBeige; 09-13-2008 at 12:58 AM.
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  #70  
Old 09-13-2008, 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by MBeige View Post
The key word is "appears" ... in truth it isn't. That's the worst part, I know what isn't perfect but others think it is. Kinda wish I didn't know

I've decided, I might give Meguiar's Exterior Detailer a try on the headlights. We'll see, I'll open it up this weekend, and install the fresh new lenses and gasket after letting it dry completely. Worse comes to worst, I won't touch them anymore, just clean them thoroughly and reinstall.

Mark, the reflectors cannot be purchased separately, as far as I know. The lenses, as you already know, can.
Looks like I may be stuck with the US headlights for awhile. I coukd install a pair of 7" round H4 lights, though I don't really have a problem with the halogen sealed-beams that are in there now. If I eventually restore my Euros, I'll retain the parking-light function I added to my front amber corner lights, just to avoid possible hassles with state inspection. Some of our VA inspectors might not understand the concept of having the parking lights incorporated into the headlamp unit.

Ironically, while many are adding Euro features to these cars, mine is (at least externally) getting gradually Americanized. A PO changed the front bumper to US-spec. I added US headlamps, and my remaining exterior Euro feature - the rear bumper - was hit on the left corner, so I may go ahead and install my spare US bumper there as well. Unfortunately that means I'll have to remove the German trailer-hitch. But at least I'll have bumpers more suitable for local driving conditions. And I think the US bumpers on these cars are better looking than some other 5-mile designs.

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #71  
Old 09-20-2008, 05:33 AM
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Freshly restored 15" Bundts


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  #72  
Old 09-20-2008, 09:25 AM
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Those wheels are beautiful.
I've seen reflectors listed on ebay.de.
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  #73  
Old 09-20-2008, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by MBeige View Post
Freshly restored 15" Bundts


Look great! Paint or powdercoat? Mine are in dire need of some treatment.
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  #74  
Old 09-20-2008, 08:11 PM
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I like the euro lights too. I think they look much cleaner. When I got my 85 SD that was the first thing i changed!
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  #75  
Old 09-20-2008, 08:41 PM
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a) car is in amazing condition
b) color is stunning - what is it, and is that clear coat?
c) what are you shooting the pics with? digital camera? with filter? some photo-shopping going on? (they're real purdy)

<do i sound like a gay amateur cinematographer? (not that there's anything wrong with that) >

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