Black or body colour sills?

[torana68]

Hi,
My sills are black, some brochures show body colour sills , whats correct for a '80 model? also the boot floor where it protrudes is black not body colour? which bits were what ?
Roger

[CraigS]

If you look at the photos I posted of the late model UK 6.9, you will see that the sills are black and the rest is body colour. This car is probably as original as it gets, so I would go with that one being correct.

[oscar]

Any body coloured sill I've seen on the net has been rare and presumably not factory.  So I'd second them as being black.  Under the boot, black too.  ie the spare wheel bit and the longitudinal strengthening parts and the sheet metal that has drain holes behind the wheel wells are also black but have had spray putty or whatever applied first.  Whether that protective coat was originally black or then painted black I don't know but the finish was black.

Incidentally, inside the wheel wells are supposed to be body coloured but look better black IMO.

[WGB]

I agree with everything Oscar says about where the black bits should be.

The sills wre all originall painted black to reduce the height of the side silhouette and they also make fixing gravel rash easier.

When I get to the colour on my car I am going to have problems with under the wheel arches as my conscience says body colour and my Heart says Black.

Bill

[OzBenzHead]

When I get to the colour on my car I am going to have problems with under the wheel arches as my conscience says body colour and my Heart says Black.

Black is beautiful - and useful in places one wishes to hide (or at least not highlight).  Black inner arches are also very practical - so easy to touch up if chipped or discoloured.

[CraigS]

The wheel arches should be body colour, and Mercedes have been like that for an eternity. If painting in a light colour, it is better IMO to go with body colour, as darger colours tend to show the mud and slush thrown up by the wheels, but I don't think it is so critical for a dark colour. It depends on whether you plan to use it as a car, or a show pony.

[oscar]

CraigS, firstly what's your avatar?

Secondly, your quote above.  On my white 350, with same coloured wheel wells would sport an horrendous parallel red striped design anytime it rained as the tyre tread would cast its pattern with the local red dirt that settles on the road.   The red dust around here can be horrible when it comes to cleaning cars.  It sticks fast if in clumps and stains duco. 

The contrast under the wheel wells was distracting from a distance or up close without having to make an effort to look.  Hence the conversion to black.  But as you say, darker colours wont be affected. 

As for the intended use of the car, I'm campaigning that everyone has dark or black repainted wheel wells so the concour judges are suitably fooled.

[CraigS]

Good idea, but not sure we could campaign for this on a global basis !

The Avatar is for the overseas members. Sort of touristy propoganda. It is a shot I took at Ayers Rock. Larger version might be easier to see.

[oscar]

   I thought the bottom half was the roof of a car reflecting whatever was in the distance. 

The larger shot does help, thanks.   Nice photo

[Brian Crump]

Brilliant shot CraigS; truly brilliant.
I painted my rear wheel wells black with an elastic undershield paint because I was getting sone chips that were exposing bare metal. Bare metal=rust. The elastic paint does not chip. Result=no rust but no concourse. I know which is more important.
Regards,
BC

[oscar]

The sills on the Red 690SEL are painted in RED....
Simply gorgeous.....

Really?!  I've only seen a couple of white cars with white sills.  This is gonna be interesting.

What about your wheel wells Michel, black or red? 

But before you answer, not that I keep tabs (much), when I tried to search for some pics I thought I posted I found you saying this -

no no no.......
I'm trying to convince the fold to go black inside wheel arches.  Fair enough on no mudflaps but I think inside wheel arches in black colour look better than the body colour, especially a lighter body colour.

I'm on your side Oscar....
I can't see the 6.9 having white wheel arches with red flakes..     
They'll be painted black..

You're an honourable bloke Michel,
Do not betray me 

Regards,
oscar

[koan]

Incidentally, inside the wheel wells are supposed to be body coloured but look better black IMO.

The wheel wells are body colour with a a light coat of the black non-paint that MB uses, the stuff that comes off with any hydrocarbon solvent.

koan

[s class]

I agree for the most part with the general sentiments.  There is no doubt that oringally the sills were black, everything else body coloured.  I agree though that with light body colours, the wheel arches can look a little stark.  It has been my intent that when I eventually get a 6.9 the wheel wells would get done out in body clour.  But then I am planning for a darker colour anyway.  I have been concerned though what it's like to live with.  Is it manageable styria?  I had started to dream up a scheme along the lines of a removable plastic shield insert which fits into the wheel well for normal use, but comes out for show days.  I suppose this is wanting to have one's cake and eat it. 


As an aside, the entire suspension and undercarriage of my W140 was "done up" in black duco shortly before I bought it.  Just think about peeling paint on the many plastic components, suspension items that were painted over, dirt, grease and all.  It is an absolute eyesore, and everytime I lie under that car, I feel really depressed about it, knowing that oneday, all those items need to be removed and refurbished. 

Ryan

[s class]

Oh and Oscar, are you saying the boot interior and spare wheel well shouldbe body coloured?  I didn't know that, and I don't have any photos to prove it one way or the other.

Ryan

[torana68]

Ryan,
my '80 has body coloured boot panels, everyone else thanks for your input.
Roger