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  #1  
Old 09-06-2011, 03:35 AM
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Anyone ever tried this?

Hey guys,

So I just got my first w123, a 1984 300D Turbo. The guy who I bought it from put quite a bit of money into it, but due to his circumstances, had to get rid of it. I got a great deal on it, and besides needing a basic diesel tune up, a good bit of cleaning/replacing of interior bits, and some minor exterior fixins, it's a real beauty.

He gave me the receipts of all the work he had done on it and in there was a receipt for a fairly expensive paintjob from a reputable place around here, so the outside pretty much looks tip top, except for one thing. The majority of the chrome trim has faded to the point where it's white and doesn't seem to be able to be polished by any solvent.

I've been involved in quite a few hobbies that would require metal like this to be polished, and I've always turned to the method of wetsanding and gradually climbing up in grit count, then maybe finishing up with a solvent to polish metal. It doesn't necessarily promise a chrome like finish, but it can yield a nice, even polish if proper care is taken.

My question is, has anyone ever tried that on the chrome trim pieces? From what I've found, no one readily makes replacements, and I'm sure mine is not the first to fade, but I can't find any mention of anyone ever trying this. I don't wanna start on a piece and find out that due to some stupid yet obvious reason, this won't work and I just made it look worse. Again, I'm not expecting a chrome finish, just a more even polished finish then what I have now.

On a side note, Anyone ever had there headliner worked on/redone at a shop? If so, would you mind sharing some prices with me? My headliner needs some work. I realized Headliner Express has there main work shop a little over an hour from me, so I'm trying to contact them, but I'd like to get an idea of what others have had done/what they've paid.

Thanks!

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  #2  
Old 09-06-2011, 05:26 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere in the Netherlands
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haromaster87 View Post
Hey guys,

So I just got my first w123, a 1984 300D Turbo. The guy who I bought it from put quite a bit of money into it, but due to his circumstances, had to get rid of it. I got a great deal on it, and besides needing a basic diesel tune up, a good bit of cleaning/replacing of interior bits, and some minor exterior fixins, it's a real beauty.

He gave me the receipts of all the work he had done on it and in there was a receipt for a fairly expensive paintjob from a reputable place around here, so the outside pretty much looks tip top, except for one thing. The majority of the chrome trim has faded to the point where it's white and doesn't seem to be able to be polished by any solvent.

I've been involved in quite a few hobbies that would require metal like this to be polished, and I've always turned to the method of wetsanding and gradually climbing up in grit count, then maybe finishing up with a solvent to polish metal. It doesn't necessarily promise a chrome like finish, but it can yield a nice, even polish if proper care is taken.

My question is, has anyone ever tried that on the chrome trim pieces? From what I've found, no one readily makes replacements, and I'm sure mine is not the first to fade, but I can't find any mention of anyone ever trying this. I don't wanna start on a piece and find out that due to some stupid yet obvious reason, this won't work and I just made it look worse. Again, I'm not expecting a chrome finish, just a more even polished finish then what I have now.

On a side note, Anyone ever had there headliner worked on/redone at a shop? If so, would you mind sharing some prices with me? My headliner needs some work. I realized Headliner Express has there main work shop a little over an hour from me, so I'm trying to contact them, but I'd like to get an idea of what others have had done/what they've paid.

Thanks!
You'd probably be better off posting this on the diesel forum.

Chrome - are you talking about the shiny trim around door windows? If so that is anodised aluminium. As far as I'm aware the only real chrome on a W123 is on the bumpers - and may be the wing mirrors.

In all cases however I would refrain from using aggressive abrasives - chrome is a thin coating.

Lots of the shiny trim is still available - even at the dealer. Have a look on ebay and you'll probably see quite a bit for sale. Otherwise post up pictures of the bits that need replacing and do a WTB ad here on this forum.
__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!
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  #3  
Old 09-07-2011, 12:35 PM
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you can try to buff the chrome with a buffing wheel and using mild grit polish.
If your headliner is just discolored , use vinyl headliner paint and paint it, did that on my 220 and most thought I had a new one installed . of course I had my interior out when I did it. If its torn and needs replaced - 500 -800$
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2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
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  #4  
Old 09-07-2011, 12:37 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere in the Netherlands
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Quote:
Originally Posted by meltedpanda View Post
you can try to buff the chrome with a buffing wheel and using mild grit polish.
If your headliner is just discolored , use vinyl headliner paint and paint it, did that on my 220 and most thought I had a new one installed . of course I had my interior out when I did it. If its torn and needs replaced - 500 -800$
Is this price fitted?

I think I got quoted about 200 euros for the part (so to speak)
__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!
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  #5  
Old 09-07-2011, 04:13 PM
meltedpanda's Avatar
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yes , installed, not by Mercedes mind you , an independent , MB kinda place
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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
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  #6  
Old 09-08-2011, 02:46 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Valrico, Florida
Posts: 207
Quote:
Originally Posted by meltedpanda View Post
you can try to buff the chrome with a buffing wheel and using mild grit polish.
If your headliner is just discolored , use vinyl headliner paint and paint it, did that on my 220 and most thought I had a new one installed . of course I had my interior out when I did it. If its torn and needs replaced - 500 -800$
Well, it's actually not discolored at all. That's the crummy part. It's in great shape, save for the fact that it's sagging, and that the whole spot behind that rear seam is torn and not tucked into the window seal. I'm going to ask Headliner Express if they would be willing to replace just the material behind the seam, and reinstall the headliner. Even if it isn't a perfect match, I don't mind.
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  #7  
Old 09-08-2011, 02:16 PM
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may be able to restretch it, I was able to do that some on my 220, then when I took the molding off and the rear pillars, seat I found "extra" headliner fabric that I incorporated into the repair by using hot glue
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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
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  #8  
Old 09-08-2011, 02:53 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by haromaster87 View Post
Hey guys,

So I just got my first w123, a 1984 300D Turbo. The guy who I bought it from put quite a bit of money into it, but due to his circumstances, had to get rid of it. I got a great deal on it, and besides needing a basic diesel tune up, a good bit of cleaning/replacing of interior bits, and some minor exterior fixins, it's a real beauty.

He gave me the receipts of all the work he had done on it and in there was a receipt for a fairly expensive paintjob from a reputable place around here, so the outside pretty much looks tip top, except for one thing. The majority of the chrome trim has faded to the point where it's white and doesn't seem to be able to be polished by any solvent.

I've been involved in quite a few hobbies that would require metal like this to be polished, and I've always turned to the method of wetsanding and gradually climbing up in grit count, then maybe finishing up with a solvent to polish metal. It doesn't necessarily promise a chrome like finish, but it can yield a nice, even polish if proper care is taken.

My question is, has anyone ever tried that on the chrome trim pieces? From what I've found, no one readily makes replacements, and I'm sure mine is not the first to fade, but I can't find any mention of anyone ever trying this. I don't wanna start on a piece and find out that due to some stupid yet obvious reason, this won't work and I just made it look worse. Again, I'm not expecting a chrome finish, just a more even polished finish then what I have now.

On a side note, Anyone ever had there headliner worked on/redone at a shop? If so, would you mind sharing some prices with me? My headliner needs some work. I realized Headliner Express has there main work shop a little over an hour from me, so I'm trying to contact them, but I'd like to get an idea of what others have had done/what they've paid.

Thanks!
I dont think this would be a good idea. You would wear through the chrome and get a nice shiny finish -at first- until it started to rust out. if they are actually chromed over steel, have the chrome stripped, repolished and then re chrome plated. A good chrome shop will be able to take care of everyhting for you and it will look first class. Smae thing with the anodized bits. You will wear thorugh and get that white rust aluminum look. Have them re anodized.
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  #9  
Old 09-08-2011, 03:29 PM
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Location: Central Ky
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Originally Posted by BobDylan View Post
I dont think this would be a good idea. You would wear through the chrome and get a nice shiny finish -at first- until it started to rust out. if they are actually chromed over steel, have the chrome stripped, repolished and then re chrome plated. A good chrome shop will be able to take care of everyhting for you and it will look first class. Smae thing with the anodized bits. You will wear thorugh and get that white rust aluminum look. Have them re anodized.
you are correct but not all trim is like this, some small pieces , like the eybrows over my W107 are all aluminum and can be buffed nicely. He will just have to figure out if the piece is chromed or or other.
__________________
Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
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  #10  
Old 09-08-2011, 03:40 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 36
Some parts are aluminium, polished or anodized. A simple magnet test should answer whether something is chromed steel or aluminum.

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