Father Of Giants 300SDL restoration

[Father Of Giants]

So I finally decided to make a thread. With all major mechanical issues cleared, my brother and I decided we'll completely restore the interior. Re dyeing the leather, refurbishing the wood, and re dye or replace carpet.

I'll take as many pictures as possible. I think we'll start in early July.

[tyl604]

How about a before picture now.

[Father Of Giants]

I'm at work now.

I'll upload pictures tomorrow morning.
You guys will laugh because the interior is in great shape, so it's really more of a refurbishing. Never the less my brother and I essentially want a living brouchur.

I'll also get pictures of problem areas too. This is light work compared to what you guys do.

[Clemson88]

I plan on starting the refurbishment of the interior on the black SE which now houses an om 617 engine/transmission.

Please make a 'what not to do,' and 'how not to screw it up,' list for those like me who typically learn more from mistakes than from good instructions.

What color are we working with here?

[Father Of Giants]

Tan and palomino. At the moment I'm torn between detailing the paint vs restoring the interior.

I want to do the paint, glass, wheels, chrome trim and restore the headlights. My brother wants to do the leather, wood, and carpet.

Good news is whichever we do decide to do we'll help each other. We even had disagreements (arguments really) on which part to fix first but somehow we end up helping each other regardless.


When I do start the interior I'll be sure to make a sure fire write up. I'm like you as well, I always have to back track multiple times ( sometimes days) before I get it right. Even after reading instructions multiple times.

Thankfully the only things I've broken was a fan shroud and hose clamp.

I think it's time I get this thread started and make a "to do" list once I get off work today.

[Diseasel300]

Originally Posted by Father Of Giants

At the moment I'm torn between detailing the paint vs restoring the interior.

I want to do the paint, glass, wheels, chrome trim and restore the headlights. My brother wants to do the leather, wood, and carpet.

While you're figuring it out, come practice on the Diseasel! It needs work inside and out, you can't go wrong!

[Mike D]

And while you're out Texas way taking care of Diseasel's ride, it's just a hop, skip and a jump over to Tucson where you can hone your skills even keener on my '85 500SEL.

You want all the experience you can get before tackling YOUR car.

[Father Of Giants]

I'm honored to have such an opportunity guys!

Surely the third time detailing and restorating will be the charm.

[Father Of Giants]

Here are the issues posted in the attachments.

I'm most worried about the cracked wood since I'll have to replace that.

On another note, I want to correct the paint, it's full of swirls and scratches, however, a full detail is costing a lot of money, at least to me.

With all the equipment and supplies accounted for, it's running me to $412. That doesn't even count the wheel brushes, tire shine, or sand paper for headlight restoration. It will cost me $500 all in all.

Seems like i'm torn between mechanical issues and exterior/exterior condition

[Father Of Giants]

5 more

[Father Of Giants]

Last one for now.

Next I'll get some shots of the paint, it's in bad condition.

[Father Of Giants]

Welp, plans have changed, the body work Care package is own the way. I decided to do body detailing and the like.

I plan on doing wheels, tires, glass, chrome, and paint correction. However I feel the paint is too thin.

Every time i talk about a plan ahead of time it gets botched.

We'll see.

[Diseasel300]

You may be surprised at the paint. I had to get pretty aggressive with mine and in no place did I ever burn through it. The factory paint seems to be very high quality and can stand a bit of abuse if necessary. Mine's still a bit on the rough side on the trunk lid, roof, and hood. I'm going to try a glaze and see if it helps it look less "ghetto".