Coda, 1986 300SDL, the journey continues........ - Page 18 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chad300tdt · #**256** 04-01-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

Let's see pics of her "sanded" BEFORE painting. Are you taking off all the chrome and the lower cladding? If so, have them paint the lower cladding and the front bumper (plastic piece), too. The wheels just need a good shine. Did you ever get a properly sized spare tire?

OH --- and don't forget to have those two trim pieces below the Euro headlights painted, too.

I didn't get a new spare yet.

The guys that are painting Coda will be removing "some" of the trim, stripping the roof, hood and trunk to bare metal and continuing to strip down the sides as needed to eliminate all the cracked paint. They'll be fixing a few small dings as well.

I'll get Coda back needing the final wet sanding stages and machine polishing. I can do those stages without a problem but painting is not possible with my current setup.

This will allow me to get a $3-$4k paint job with a 5 year warranty for about $1800.

I think it's going to take 3-5 days for the paint. Then I'll let it cure for a month before I start wet sanding and polishing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankstallone

@Chad, I have a squeel coming from under the hood and I am going to investigate it more but your previous post is making me think it is my belt tensioner as well.

I am excited to see Coda with a fresh coat of paint!

For me, the squeal started out sounding like a bad water pump, but the sound got worse as time went on. When I removed the tensioner pulley, I saw that the belt had worn a serious groove into the surface. I guess that's where the squeal was coming from.

chrisbus · #**257** 04-02-2010, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Today I fixed the problem with my seat backs. I took apart the switches and cleaned them and everything works great again.

It really wasn't that bad.

Here's the link to how I did it:
DIY - w126 Memory Seat Switch disassembly and cleaning

Thanks for posting that link, Chad! Did you have to remove the door panel to get the switches out? I'm hoping to avoid having to do so, but if it's not that hard then I guess I'll work up the courage.

You're not going to stop posting updates on Coda once you get her painted, are you? I sure hope not! I'm sure I'm not alone in stating that I really enjoy reading about it (her)!

buffa98 · #**258** 04-02-2010, 06:00 AM

Who is doing the paint? that will be the next step on mine. If i ever the rest of the bugs worked out

daw_two · #**259** 04-02-2010, 08:21 AM

So, Chad. Will you be permamently displaying a grill badge

after you get Coda back from the painters or do you plan on putting that on for just "parade" type events?

Chad300tdt · #**260** 04-02-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisbus

Thanks for posting that link, Chad! Did you have to remove the door panel to get the switches out? I'm hoping to avoid having to do so, but if it's not that hard then I guess I'll work up the courage.

You're not going to stop posting updates on Coda once you get her painted, are you? I sure hope not! I'm sure I'm not alone in stating that I really enjoy reading about it (her)!

I didn't remove the door panel, but the arm rest needs to be unattached at the top along with the piece under the door release handle.

I'll continue to post updates on Coda but hopefully there will be less to report in the future.

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffa98

Who is doing the paint? that will be the next step on mine. If i ever the rest of the bugs worked out

I'm using a local MAACO. I've had them do a few smaller jobs for me and I was happy with their quality so I'm having them paint Coda.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

So, Chad. Will you be permamently displaying a grill badge

after you get Coda back from the painters or do you plan on putting that on for just "parade" type events?

Yes. I Plan to mount the grill badge, but if it doesn't look right I'll mount it to a front license plate.

Chad300tdt · #**261** 04-06-2010, 10:34 AM

I dropped Coda off yesterday. They said it could take into next week to get her back due to the two tone paint. I'm having them take care of two dents as well. One on each front door.

While getting the car ready to drop off, I removed the chrome arches and saw that the car had been resprayed before and that's probably why it's peeling so bad. I saw some overspray around the trunk seal and tail lights too.

I also think the issue with fuse #15 blowing is a short in the wires running through the rear passenger door jamb. I'll test more with that later.

I'm cleaning up the blue console and getting ready to spray it black with SEM Color Coat - Landau Black. When I swap the consoles, I plan to figure out the issue with the antenna, install a new stereo, and replace the shifter bushings. I'll swap the CCU then too.

The fuel leak seems to have sealed itself after a 300 mile trip this past weekend. We'll see if that lasts.

Finally, once the car gets back from paint, I'll have to take it back to the garage that did the ball joints and front end alignment. I'm guessing the caster setting isn't right since the front tires got a heel-toe tread block pattern in the 500 miles since the work was done. The tires howl pretty loud now. Hopefully they can correct the alignment issue and the tires will wear back to normal. They're directional tires, so I can't just rotate them.

rrgrassi · #**262** 04-06-2010, 10:54 AM

Chad, you may have to rotate the tires front to back. That will help them wear a flat pattern again. Typically with tires, once a wear pattern is established, they continue to wear in that pattern, until the tire is worn out.

Chad300tdt · #**263** 04-06-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrgrassi

Chad, you may have to rotate the tires front to back. That will help them wear a flat pattern again. Typically with tires, once a wear pattern is established, they continue to wear in that pattern, until the tire is worn out.

That's what I was worried about. I wonder if the garage will step up and replace the tires ... probably not. I'll have to get 2 tires if I have to listen to the drone they have now. It sounds like a 4x4 truck with mud tires.

Chad300tdt · #**264** 04-08-2010, 04:16 PM

I got the replacement console ready to go. It was originally dark blue and had a few broken pieces. I cleaned it up and painted it black with SEM color coat. Then I used 5 minute Plastic Weld with some plastic strips to repair the broken tab that the console wood slips over and the broken plastic bar where the radio slides into.

Here's the spot just under where the radio sits. The repair is boxed in red.

Here's the tab I glued back on.

The black console ready for installation.

Chad300tdt · #**265** 04-14-2010, 02:32 PM

I drove past the MAACO today and saw the SDL sitting out front. They still need another day for reassembly, but WOW!!!!! It looks AWESOME!!!

I'll be picking it up tomorrow and taking it directly to the Garage that did the ball joints and front end alignment so they can fix the alignment.

I can't wait to get Coda back and get some pics.

I'm hoping for Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Aquaticedge · #**266** 04-14-2010, 02:36 PM

I've been following this thread for Awhile... i cant wait to see how it comes out!

Chad300tdt · #**267** 04-15-2010, 05:30 PM

Coda is painted.

I brought her home and took some pics before I drop it off at the garage to get the front end alignment fixed. I hope it's an easy and free solution.

Anyway, here are the pics:

michakaveli · #**268** 04-15-2010, 05:33 PM

Lookin' Good!!!!

chrisbus · #**269** 04-15-2010, 05:44 PM

Congratulations Chad...she looks beautiful! Are you going to put the emblems back on the trunk?

Also, what's that sticker logo that you have on the passenger side front window?

Chad300tdt · #**270** 04-15-2010, 06:01 PM

Thanks guys!

I'm considering leaving the badges off for good, but I have to keep them off for at least 6 weeks or until I get the wet sanding and polishing stage finished.

The sticker on the windshield is a MBCA member decal. You should become a member if you haven't. They have a cool magazine and you get discounts at dealerships for parts.