Issues with my 87 560sl...cosmetic issues - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jplinville · #1 01-15-2009, 08:11 AM

My wife decided to drive my baby up on a parking block, cracking the front spoiler this past weekend. It's not in two, but has a crack at the top on the left side. Can this be repaired, or should I find a suitable replacement?

Also...what is the rough estimate for a new canvas top? Mine has a few threads that are broken. There are no holes yet, but I'd like to get it replaced this spring.

Thanks!

KCM · #2 01-15-2009, 06:15 PM

Mine was cracked when I got the car, several inches long, but only cracked paint revealed the crack on the front side. Bought one of the plastic welding heat gun kits from Harbor Freight (the basic model, but they have an adjustable heat model now). Also bought a pack of welding rods. Welded the back side together successfully, though the result was not pretty. You must use the right material rod for the job, the pack came with three different materials. If your don't the rod will not stick to the spoiler at all. You can actually melt the original plastic and melt the crack together, which might be all it takes. Don't leave it on one spot for too long, or you actually burn the plastic. If looks are a concern, I'm sure it could be filed smooth and a filler of some kind used to smooth it out, then some paint used to cover it. It was on the back side, only seen by me, so I left it as is. A lot cheaper than a new spoiler, which I checked into first.

Have used the kit on another car bumper too, and it does work and hold. No adhesive I've found works on stuff like that for long.

jplinville · #3 01-17-2009, 01:35 PM

Thanks, KCM...I'll give it a try. If it doesn't work, then I'll have to try to locate a replacement somewhere.

Anyone with ideas on where I can find parts for this car in Utah or surrounding areas?

tecqboy · #4 01-17-2009, 04:26 PM

I recently repaired a cracked ( not totally broken ) spoiler with Gorilla Glue. Apply generously to both sides of the cracked material, then clamp it together. Let the excess glue ooze out and harden. After it's totally hardened, you can use a exacto knife to cut off the excess glue. A lite sanding and paint make it hard to spot the repair ( black ). There are shops which specialize in these repairs. They come to you, remove the bumper/ spoiler, and take it to their shop for repair. They fix it like new, then bring it back and re-install. Look in the phone book / auto repair.