Paint

[Paul64]

Well, I took the car up to the UK at the weekend, about 1200 miles (at average 26mpg), and deposited it at the paint shop.
I would hope to be heading back in about 4-5 weeks to collect it after completion and in a much better state than it is now. It's not tatty by any means at the moment but I thought this was the time to stop any further degeneration and bring her back up to 'better than new' condition - no orange peel in the paint!

I wonder if anyone has recently changed out the windscreen / rear screen / roof trip strips that have faded to bronze?
Are they still available at a 'reasonable' price here in Europe? I believe they're meant to be black - would painting or coating the old ones look any good - anyone successfully tried that option??

I'm very fussy so will be difficult to please and the bodyshop knows that - let's see what they can come up with. No time limit, just excellent quality.
I'll list the costs and results next month, all being well.

Paul

 

[Paul64]

I decided to get the trim pieces painted satin black after all and, replace the roof sealing rubbers as they seem to have shrunk a bit and look as though they aren't fitting correctly.
Photos to follow when completed........

Paul

 

[Paul64]

I was going to jump into getting a new rear screen fitted whilst the car was in paint however, I just checked the price at MB Chester and it's around 700GBP inc VAT for the laminated version! Is there another source of these with the fine elements I wonder???

Help!!

 

[195910]

Swiss lamex, high quality with all the original spec.

 

[gsxr]

If you do find a cheaper alternative for the "fine element" rear glass, please let is know... also need a source & price for it!

 

[Paul64]

Went up to the UK for a check up on the progress this last weekend.
The car was in final preparation before painting on Saturday. Looks like a top prep job, all surfaces silky smooth and all traces of rust removed. There was only 1 blister behind the rear bumper and a little surface corrosion at the front end of the sill mouldings and it's all been repaired.
The screen surrounds and roof trim is being returned to black and rubbers replaced.
Only 2 breakages on stripping the car - the central book Mercedes star broke on removal and a windscreen washer nozzle fractured when it was taken off... Not bad!

I would think the car would be out of the paint shop next week following polishing then, after a week or so with the mechanic for some fettling, I'll be heading home next month for a pick up.

Looking forward to another 19 years of German perfection!


Paul