Mercedes W114 250 Coupe - help!

[WDB124066]

Greens, whites, grays and maybe some carefully chosen browns/cognacs with suit the red best Charles....

 

[Bellow]

Very briefly - I cannot stress enough it is merely my opinion I am expressing - an opinion which could be wrong!
PS.
That anthracite.....

 

[Charles Morgan]

All aesthetic arguments start with subjectivity. I have test panels in anthracite and beige grey already, and the guys are doing one in magnetite (an instruction from the other day) so I can make my final decision soon.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I spent Monday at Dan and Matt's place painting the inner wheel arches and other bits with POR15. The paint I originally applied back in the spring has hardened to such a tough coat, Peter was having to use a DA sander to flat it. They are keen to see the full results of the paint at inhibiting rust, so we are going to do a test bit of metal, half with normal paint prep and half with the POR15 system, and leave it exposed to the weather.

The inner wings have holes (original and unplanned) aplenty, spot welds leave alarming rust infiltration points and there are crevices and creases by the ton. I hope to get up there today to do a few more bits.

My test aerosol of Magnetite blue arrived yesterday. To confuse the process further, out driving near Brighton, I saw a copper painted W111 coupe on the other side of the road and it looked absolutely flat out gorgeous. Not going there, but seeing things in the flesh is vital.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Today's job was cleaning up the exhaust manifold and downpipe. ss201 had recommended Calyx manifold treatment in another thread, so I ordered some and picked up the necessary cheap toothbrushes to apply it this morning.

Slightly rusty manifold and more rusty downpipe (don't clean something then leave it out in the rain).

Detail

Brush the rust off, clean off residue and dirt, then apply with toothbrush and rag to polish.

Close up

A couple of spots missed but the effect is excellent, downpipe has come up well too. No idea on longevity but it's a nice finish on what would otherwise be a slightly tatty look. Easy to apply and work too.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I also sprayed a test panel of Magnetite blue. It's a really interesting colour, with a real mix of dark and light elements. Compared to the Azurite blue of my convertible (machine polished some of it today) it's certainly less modern and really very intriguing. I like it a lot!

 

[Charles Morgan]

Continuing to narrow down tasks for Simeon's lot. Apart from the MS configuration, there remains the issue of the choice of manual vs automatic. For the latter I now have everything other than a kickdown switch and loom, but wanted to know what is involved in having the transmission lock if the brake pedal is not depressed as that is the only thing remaining to consider - I think if I do convert it should be done properly.

 

[WDB124066]

Will you paint them white Charles...

 

[Charles Morgan]

If you mean the manifolds, no. To get a really good paint finish requires shot blasting and I'm bored with spending money on non-essentials!

 

[WDB124066]

Bored with spending money... Now that's a phrase I shall never forget.

First class Charles, absolutely first class.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Something was different today.

Which led to some thoughts when looking inside the first of the two wings to be replaced

Which is, there has to be some form of wheel arch liner out there? But where, can't find anything on the Niemoller EPC. Umm...

 

[grober]

They exist! Early ones steel later ones plastic? part nos will need further investiagtion.
W115 Inner Fender Liner - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

 

[Charles Morgan]

That's good to hear! Without it the rear sections of the wings behind the front wheel arch are going to be getting exceptionally dirty.

 

[grober]

dup

 

[grober]

OK Looks from the EPC they are known as a Partition panels

long narrow flexible u section Edge seal between wing and panel A1108840098 but any similar sealing material would be fine I guess?

PARTION PANEL LEFT A1158840135[ metal??] replaced by A1158840535[plastic??]
PARTION PANEL RIGHT A1158840235[metal] replaced by A1158840635 [plastic]

no indication from EPC on metal/plastic of any of the part nos just me guessing.
While the plastic may sound attractive they may have gone brittle by now compared to the metal ones which will have rusted - Hobson's choice

 

[Charles Morgan]

Or the plastic ones have rusted and the metal brittle. I shall see if there's any stock at MB (large order coming up). If not, plastic cutters here we come.

You really can see why these cars rusted. Every single bit seems to have been designed for trapping rust. I spent more time today layering on POR15 and decided with the guys that I'd do the wing interiors too. It's not fun to apply but it sets rock solid.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Those parts are sadly NLA from MB, so time for some arts and crafts.

 

[BTB 500]

Those parts are sadly NLA from MB, so time for some arts and crafts.

I don't recommend wicker, pottery or papier-mâché

 

[grober]

Might be worth contacting this guy or his successor? The site might be useful for other parts also?
Classic Mercedes-Benz - Inventory
Even one panel would be useful as the side closest to the wing would have the same inner wing profile for the other side when reversed sort of mirror image thing - this might prove useful acting as a part template for any new panels you might fabricate.

 

[Charles Morgan]

He's on my list for a few things. Colin had not had a good experience when he bought something that needed returning, so I avoided him. Turned out he'd had a heart attack so wasn't in the business for months. I'll also try any breaking cars too.