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#1
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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 |
#2
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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
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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
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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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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC] ..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis. |
#5
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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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2012 B Class 1981 300D - Now with greazzer |
#6
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Bare plastic it is!
Thank you |
#7
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Immerse it in dish soap to lubricate and make strip removal easier..
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1979 300D 220 K miles 1995 C280 109 K miles 1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD ******************** 1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD. SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego) 1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD |
#8
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Great idea.
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#9
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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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2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#10
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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 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 |
#11
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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 |
#12
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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. |
#13
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Quote:
My original grille is to far gone to paint, lots of bits of plastic flaking off. |
#14
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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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'84 190D 2.2 5MT (Red/Palomino) Current car. Love it! '85 190D 2.2 Auto *Cali* (Blue/Blue) *sold* http://badges.fuelly.com/images/sig-us/302601.png http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/sideview.png |
#15
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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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