I know this hasn't been discussed for a while, but I'm working on a remarkable old 240, and want to get the hubcaps just right. Does anyone know where I can buy /borrow/rent the hubcap painting templates? Or does anyone still have a part number around? I know it's supposed to be NLA, but just thought it would aid in the search.

Thanks in advance if you can help....

I can tell you the plastic reproduction sold online sucks. We bought it and its doesn't fit the hubcap at all.

My dad freehands them. He bought a cheap lazy Susan at bed bad and beyond and "fine line" masking tape, sits down and spins them and cuts out the tape. Also be aware that from the factory they were not done with laser precision. I've looked at all original 190SLs and the lines were not perfectly straight.

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

but which one sold online? The one from the guy in Germany? or....?

Several times a Year the Metal Hub Cap Painting Tool comes up for sale on eBay. Of course there is a chance that one may never come up again.

I suppose the Craig List would also be another possible.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

W108 W109 W111 W113 w114 w115 wheel hub cap masking stencil tool

This one. Its ****.


When emailed to ask about its poor fit all he said was "send it back" no apology, no some of them are warped let me send you another, no tips on how to correctly use it. I still have it somewhere Ill get some pics of how badly it fits.


My dad free handed these

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

A friend has this for the early style center hub caps like on a 190sl/300sl and it works amazingly well but they can be quite pricey when they pop up.

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

I have seen the hubcap original painting tool. Not knowing way back then the results obtainable with it.

Just used some thin fine line masking tape carefully applied and the main masking down with wider tape and paper. Sprayed them and was satisfied.

Of course this was a long time ago with a 114 gas car. Did not seem too long to mask them though or it does not stand out in my memory as being so.

I would not hesitate to do this again based partially on the results and it being not as difficult as someone may suspect to mask.The secret is the fine line masking tape in my opinion.

The stencil tool is part# 115-589-42-63-00 as you know NLA.

I did some searching and saw this thread of a set for sale, but back in 2011. maybe the guy still has them.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/300206-hub-cap-masking-tool-14-a.html


Wow you have been a member since 1999, you are one of the Plank owners.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I painted my own on both my 240D and my ponton. Looks very good even up close and it has held up well for at least ten years. What I did was mask everything off with blue painter's tape, duct tape and newspaper and sprayed it with RustOleum. The white matched my 240D perfectly and the almond matched my ponton perfectly. I used no primer and did not rough up the surface at all. I did however use a paint remover to get rid of all the old paint. The thing I found was that the ridges in the hubcaps divide the painted from the chromed areas and makes it really easy to use an Exacto knife to cut away the unneeded painter's tape. Another thing I discovered was that you are MUCH better off peeling off the tape before the paint has a chance to set and dry.

__________________
Len
'59 220S Cabriolet-SOLD and living happily in Malta
'83 240D 351,500 miles original owner-SOLD
'88 560SL 41,000 miles - totaled and parted out
https://sites.google.com/site/mercedesstuff/home
'99 E300 turbo 227,500 miles
'03 SLK320 40,000 miles - gave to my daughter
'14 Smart electric coupe 28,500 miles
'14 Smart electric cabriolet 28,500 miles
'15 Smart electric coupe 28,000 miles

When selecting masking tape, use tape _without_ the wrinkles. Wrinkled tape can bleed paint and not leave a clean line. The fine line tape is plastic not paper based.

Why is some tape wrinkled? It is so the tape can be run around a corner. ( The wrinkles flatten out on the outside of the curve. ) Plastic tape stretches for the same effect. In a pinch wrinkled tape can be used if you rub the wrinkles flat after application.

Another option;

cb's Autoteile - Oldtimer Ersatz- und Austauschartikel :: Lackiersterne

__________________
2012 B Class

1981 300D - Now with greazzer

Here is the site Translated.

Google Translate


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I did not remove the old finish as I think the base metal is stainless and may be hard to get paint to stick well. I did rough up the old finish though to aid in creating better adhesion with the new paint.

I would not for example take a plain unpainted hubcap and paint it without a serious etching primer being applied first.

The one from Germany seems to be the best solution, but even if I decided to go forward, it might take a month for the thing get here.
And yes, I would leave the original finish on and scuff it up...

My dad strips them bare and then primes them with etching primer.

__________________
68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i