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  #1  
Old 03-06-2016, 07:28 PM
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W123 Grille refresh question.

I'm about to replace the plastic insert on the grille, the new part has arrived. Should this be painted before installation? Or were they just raw gray plastic from the factory when new? I figure I may as well keep this car looking as stock as possible.

Thanks for any help.

Bob

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  #2  
Old 03-06-2016, 07:33 PM
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Any tips about taking the chrome strips off the old grill and putting them on the new one would be appreciated as well.
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  #3  
Old 03-06-2016, 08:35 PM
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My insert was a bit oxidized so I painted it, I think stock looks better. The chrome strips just slide out, it's really pretty easy.
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  #4  
Old 03-06-2016, 10:57 PM
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I believe it is bare plastic. I think getting paint to stick would be a problem after a few years.
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  #5  
Old 03-06-2016, 11:04 PM
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No, they don't need to be painted, the grey is the stock color. Just install as is. The aluminum strips just slide off to the outside.
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  #6  
Old 03-06-2016, 11:24 PM
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Bare plastic it is!

Thank you
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  #7  
Old 03-06-2016, 11:28 PM
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Immerse it in dish soap to lubricate and make strip removal easier..
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  #8  
Old 03-06-2016, 11:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unkl300d View Post
Immerse it in dish soap to lubricate and make strip removal easier..
Great idea.
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  #9  
Old 03-07-2016, 08:50 AM
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Apparently you can also buy new aluminum strips for the grille if yours are pitted, oxidized and dented. If you are going to the trouble of new plastic new metal might be a good idea as well.

- Peter.
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  #10  
Old 03-07-2016, 03:03 PM
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I haven`t looked up to see if the strips are still available, last I saw them a couple
years back, think they were about $7 ea.

As the plastic grill gets some age on it, it will turn kind of chalky. I painted
the one on the 85 300D and the 80 240D. Used some black trim spray paint.
It will rock chip eventually, so painted it again to keep it looking good.
Even tried different spray paints.

Last time I did the 240 maybe 3 or so years ago, I used some black POR.
Wanted to use it up before the opened up can went bad. It has held up quite well.
It does have a shine to it, so could give it a dusting of a flat when it has a slight tack to it.
Then when it is set up, give it a good coat of the flat paint.

I like the black look, but you could use what ever color floats your boat.


Charlie
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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

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  #11  
Old 03-07-2016, 03:15 PM
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Here is a picture from a GTG we went to in SOCAL a couple years ago.
Shows our 240D with the black grill. Look close and notice the W115
Hood Ornament.





Charlie
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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works
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  #12  
Old 03-07-2016, 03:39 PM
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On my cars that had the inserts go chalky, I put them in the sandblast cabinet with glass beads. Turned the pressure down as low as it would go and still operate and blasted away.
I was surprised at how nice they turned out. Probably plastic media would work as well, you just don't want anything too agressive.
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  #13  
Old 03-07-2016, 06:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by charmalu View Post
Here is a picture from a GTG we went to in SOCAL a couple years ago.
Shows our 240D with the black grill. Look close and notice the W115
Hood Ornament.





Charlie
Nice looking cars there, I'm afraid you'll all put my unrestored car to shame.

My original grille is to far gone to paint, lots of bits of plastic flaking off.
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  #14  
Old 03-07-2016, 07:37 PM
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I like the matte black painted grills. I painted the one on my 190D and it really looks sharp. The grey is stock, but it gets ashy over time and looks iffy.
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  #15  
Old 03-08-2016, 01:05 AM
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If one paints the grille black, keep the headlight frames in mind - otherwise there's too much clashing colors. The "fins" are designed to blend in with the headlight.

Here is mine with black or dark gray "fins" or "inserts" compared to the stock look



Been there, done that (look at the horrible chipped paint)

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