The trim below the lights on my 85 300D have stone chip marks which are rusting. I need to refinish those strips, but in trying to sand them down in-place, I thought maybe it would be easier if I removed them?

I tried to find that trim in epc without success (to see how it was attached.)

Anyone any insight on where MB hide those parts in epc and whether or not it would be easier to remove them for refinishing than doing it in place?

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

In other models you remove the corner lamp to expose a screw holding down a tab that extends from that valence panel. If not, pull the headlight assembly.

Sixto
87 300D

That metal strip is a welded part of the entire fender

Best option is to drop the bumper, only 6 bolts, out of the way.
Unscrew everything to remove the headlight assembly.
Then with room to work around this strip, work it with a progression of wet sanding paper on a sanding block. Get smooth past the rust, spray primmer, then spray a close match color or black undercoating?

This is not a separate piece from the entire fender
also very common place to accumulate your rock chips and rust bubbles

__________________
1990 300D 2.5Turbo, two tank WVO, daily driver 300,911
1992 E300 gaser, 150k. Parts only, For Sale

[B]1984 300TD Euro 4speed Sold
1977 300D Elsbett SVO single tank Sold
1981 300TD "Silver bullet" 285k ran B100 Sold
1981-5 300D x 5 cars stripped and reused, parts for sale

Other toys:
1995 Dodge 2500 Cummins 12V P7100 Bosch mechanical pump with 2 tank veggieconversion kit, only 120k!
1959 Cadillac Dad's legacy, needs finishing

Thanks for that. (and to sixto for info on how it is on other cars)

My fenders are aftermarket, installed about 5 years ago. There is a joint on the outer edge of the trim, but it could very well be welded.

I guess I will do some exploration before deciding on dismantling.

I can get at most of the bad spots without removal, but I was thinking of first coating strip with POR15 to help avoid future rusty chip marks.

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

This job on the 300D went well.

I sanded the trim in place. Then applied two coats of grey POR-15 using artists brush. Came out nice and smooth. Sanded lightly and sprayed 3 coats of enamel and two coats of clearcoat. Looks a lot better!

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

Well done!
If you were closer I would offer you plenty of rust to practice on
funny my neighbors have family from Ontario visiting today; missed your free ride

We like to see pics of projects and nice finishes, if you have any to share!

__________________
1990 300D 2.5Turbo, two tank WVO, daily driver 300,911
1992 E300 gaser, 150k. Parts only, For Sale

[B]1984 300TD Euro 4speed Sold
1977 300D Elsbett SVO single tank Sold
1981 300TD "Silver bullet" 285k ran B100 Sold
1981-5 300D x 5 cars stripped and reused, parts for sale

Other toys:
1995 Dodge 2500 Cummins 12V P7100 Bosch mechanical pump with 2 tank veggieconversion kit, only 120k!
1959 Cadillac Dad's legacy, needs finishing

I have enough rust of my own thank you!

I didn't take pictures of the finished job here because there is not much to see. I refinished back wheel arch and fender too. It is not perfect (clearcoat not blended 100%), but in a pic it would look great!

But if you want to see my real problems, check my two other rust threads!

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/323693-85-300d-rear-wheel-well-rust-repair.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/325503-another-rust-related-question.html

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5