Painting the bumpers and cladding on my cabriolet
 

Time for some "show" work.

Ever since I bought the cabriolet almost seven years ago, I've wanted to fix the broken front bumper and clean up the cladding. The cladding wasn't too bad, but scratched and dull. Various scratches on the rear bumper due to use (abuse?) as well. Since I've retired, I am able to spend some of my time on the cars. Still get tired way too quickly, but the chemo has that effect. At least I'm still here to play with the cars!

Anyway, dug out the new front bumper I bought years ago, removed the rear bumper and all the side trim, and took the lot down to my favorite bodyshop. We've got a good working relationship (cash, take your time, no rush) and several weeks later, I got the call to pick up the painted parts.

Just finished reinstalling the parts, some of the clips were brittle, but I was able to get spares off the parts cars. Love the new look. It's subtle, the tourmaline green used the same color on the plastic as the metal, not sure if a gloss clear (or semi clear) was originally used, but that's what I specc'ed.

Jim

few more pics....
 

More pics.

Nice work.

If I could truly determine the color on my Smoke Silver 126s cladding, I might do the same.

Hi Jim,

It looks great! I know you have been wanting to do that for a long time. Looking forward to seeing next week!

Take care and safe travels!!

Brian

Mike, the paint code on the tag by the radiator should identify your 126 paint colors ... both the metal panels and the coordinating cladding.

Thanks.

There is one paint code on that tag - 702 - smoke silver. There are no other colors specified. I called MB cust. serv. Person I spoke with said there might be a tag hidden away in the truck. Never found it.

Mike, if that's the case perhaps if you call the Parts Department at your local MB dealer and give them the VIN the tech can determine the cladding color. I recall seeing a chart that shows cladding color vs. paint color for given model years. If I come across it I will pass along the information for your car.

Mike, check out the following link.

Mercedes S-Class and SL paint color chart 1989 – 1991 | CLASSIC CARS TODAY ONLINE

Although it doesn't specifically identify the cladding color the chart depicts the paint/cladding colors. I would expect a MB dealer can provide specific information on the cladding color so you can purchase it. Certainly body shops have access to that information in order to repaint vehicles the original color.

Bumper color codes...

http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/W124/bumper_color_codes.pdf

The Smoke Silver uses Mussel Grey 7176 paint.

Thanks to all. Looks like the cladding color for my '91 300-SEL Smoke Silver car is color 7176 - mussel gray.