I dont belive they are suposed to be black. If anyone bought some new piecs please confirm. I remember working on these cars new and I noticed that quite a few of the people that owned white sl's painted there grill slats black. I a ctually thought there were 2 part numbers but there is not.

Best way to clean is to take the grill appart and put them in a dish washer. Makes a world of difference.

John Roncallo

They're black when new. They fade pretty fast and they get a crystallized, grainy surface, but fresh out of the box they're black.

Thanks I always wondered about that. How fast do they fade. Under a year??

John Roncallo

Mine aren't as black now as when I installed them and it's been about 6 months. They're still black, just not as black. They're nowhere near as grey as my 30 year old ones were.

I guess you went to the Scott South California School of Automotive Restoration.

After a good cleaning they did look much better. I have to say that after using the vinyl dye they are very black.

I'm guessing they were originally a muted, flat black. All said, I think the Krylon Fusion spray (If it comes in matte black) would be an easier route to go as the dye takes 72 hours to completely dry and is tough to spray evenly.

Will post further results shortly.

I used DupliColor Trim Paint. The grill slats are now satin black but I'm not sure it's an improvement. I guess I just got used to grey slats over the past 20 years.

btw, is there supposed to be a rubber gasket between the grill and the body?
My car has none, but I know it has had front end damage repair.

Yes it is just a rubber strip that gets glued to the edge of the grill. It' probably about $2.00 from your local MB dealer.

John Roncallo