107 Star Restoration - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Strife · #1 04-29-2006, 08:15 PM

As you know, all but the earliest center stars are mostly plastic with a thin aluminum star. Rocks and road debris use the star as a target, and after a good number of miles the star looks pockmarked and dented. I wanted to try out a repair, so I got one on eBay described as "nice", at a very good price. "Nice" in this case meant pockmarked and one side of the star coming off.

The original glue under the star CAN be softened with heat; I tried this with a candle, but decided that I didn't have to remove it in order to work on it. I would have been successful with a heat gun. So, I poured gel-type superglue in the lifting area, filament taped the star tight to the plastic, and waited a bit. It is now on very solid.

Next, I sanded (no, really, sanded) the star. First, with emery cloth to go after the big dents and marks, then 220, then 320, then a drill-mounted buffer with white and blue compounds. I was successful in eliminating most dents entirely, and significantly diminishing all but one bad one. Even the bad one is not nearly as noticeable as it was. I beleive that with more effort, I could have gotten it.

After painting the plastic, the star is now actually better than the one on my car, and much shinier. This is now a nice spare for ~25.00 and a little of my time.

Roncallo · #2 04-29-2006, 09:11 PM

Julie

I would really like to see this car, you really seem to pay attention to detail. Do you ever bring it up North.

John Roncallo

Strife · #3 04-29-2006, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roncallo

Julie

I would really like to see this car, you really seem to pay attention to detail. Do you ever bring it up North.

John Roncallo

Well, I did get as far as Columbus, Ohio last summer; I'm moving further and further north these days, so who knows?

Roncallo · #4 04-30-2006, 06:17 AM

Let me know if you ever bring it neer CT

John Roncallo

David Langsam · #5 04-30-2006, 01:50 PM

Wow, Strife! I wish you worked on my car.

denis gow · #6 05-01-2006, 08:26 PM

Its good to restore plastic fantastic , but if you want a new metal one there on Ebay @ $45 .

Den

Strife · #7 05-01-2006, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denis gow

Its good to restore plastic fantastic , but if you want a new metal one there on Ebay @ $45 .

Den

The FRONT star on a 107 for the grille? Early ones and maybe some European models had them made of all-metal, but newer models (and any service replacements) are aluminum over plastic. Last time I looked, $150-$175 + new.