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Garage => Interiors & Exteriors => Topic started by: Engineerd3d on 06 April 2021, 01:18 PM

Title: Oem grill color?
Post by: Engineerd3d on 06 April 2021, 01:18 PM
I picked up a set of bars for my grille. I see the glass fiber showing in the oem plastic grille. I wonder what the original color was? I am contemplating giving it a coat of paint. Or should I just leave it be? The grille is otherwise unmolested besides the bars being dented.
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: BCDC on 06 April 2021, 08:09 PM
The colour is just the "beige" plastic that it is moulded with. If you want the original look leave it alone. I have seen some painted black but it doesn't do it for me. I replaced my chrome strips as well as some were slightly dented by an idiot who reversed into me at a petrol station a while back. Hopefully you have the guide clips as well as it is easy to break some as you slide the old strips off. It can be an idea to cut the old strips near the dent and re fashion the channel so that they slide over the clips. They are usually are too long at the bottom so you will need to cut the new ones as well. A new set looks so good compared to dented ones. Good luck.

BCDC
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: Engineerd3d on 06 April 2021, 08:23 PM
I will leave it alone then. I kinda dig the glass fibers poking through. These strips are aluminum. The ones on there seem to be aluminum as well. It looks like i have to file the ends at an angle to meet up. Will post some before and after pics.
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: 90077merc on 06 April 2021, 11:53 PM
Is the OEM plastic grill replaceable? I notice so many are chipped.
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: ptashek on 07 April 2021, 03:57 AM
Quote from: 90077merc on 06 April 2021, 11:53 PM
Is the OEM plastic grill replaceable? I notice so many are chipped.

Yes. It's held in place by a few bolts on the inside of the chrome shell.

Grille: A1168880023
Shell: A1168880515

Vertical strip: A1158882385
Horizontal Strip (x6): A1168880185

Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: rumb on 07 April 2021, 09:02 AM
Grille and shell are both NLA now.

Color is medium gray not beige.
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: floyd111 on 07 April 2021, 09:57 AM
But there should be enough NOS ones out there. There are also copies that are an exact fit, but they have a different shade of gray. Once installed even a concours judge might not spot that. I accidentally bought 3 of them. Think I paid 50 euros each. Still have them here.
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: ptashek on 07 April 2021, 11:14 AM
Quote from: rumb on 07 April 2021, 09:02 AM
Grille and shell are both NLA now.

My source in Germany shows both as available. Either old data, or new stock.

https://www.online-teile.com/mercedes-ersatzteile/A1168880023_Schutzgitter.html
https://www.online-teile.com/mercedes-ersatzteile/A116888051502_Kuehlerverkl.html
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: Engineerd3d on 07 April 2021, 09:47 PM
So the grill bars came in. To be frank i am not happy with the purchase. The bars are not a direct fit and the ends are not machines at an angle as they are supposed to be. I am in the process of machining the bars to a proper fit as well as figure out the proper angle.
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: floyd111 on 09 April 2021, 08:28 PM
Grill bars.. as in "grille", or the chrome trim on top of them?
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: ptashek on 10 April 2021, 05:58 AM
Quote from: floyd111 on 09 April 2021, 08:28 PM
Grill bars.. as in "grille", or the chrome trim on top of them?

The chrome trim I'm sure. The bars need trimming pre-assembly as they were used on several models (115/116/123 - at least), and the final length differs.
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: Engineerd3d on 10 April 2021, 01:24 PM
Quote from: ptashek on 10 April 2021, 05:58 AM
Quote from: floyd111 on 09 April 2021, 08:28 PM
Grill bars.. as in "grille", or the chrome trim on top of them?

The chrome trim I'm sure. The bars need trimming pre-assembly as they were used on several models (115/116/123 - at least), and the final length differs.

Well, i ended up making a 16 degree wedge to get the angles proper. The crimps at the end seem to have been done by pliers. Are these crimped ends supposed to be perfectly flat? Or are they supposed to be cut at the proper length?
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: Type17 on 11 April 2021, 01:18 PM
Here's a pic of my OEM grille mesh on the day (in 2014) that I replaced it - medium grey is a good description, I think.


(https://i.imgur.com/6EO3jF5.jpg)
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: floyd111 on 14 April 2021, 07:19 AM
Quote from: Engineerd3d on 10 April 2021, 01:24 PM
Quote from: ptashek on 10 April 2021, 05:58 AM
Quote from: floyd111 on 09 April 2021, 08:28 PM
Grill bars.. as in "grille", or the chrome trim on top of them?

The chrome trim I'm sure. The bars need trimming pre-assembly as they were used on several models (115/116/123 - at least), and the final length differs.

Well, i ended up making a 16 degree wedge to get the angles proper. The crimps at the end seem to have been done by pliers. Are these crimped ends supposed to be perfectly flat? Or are they supposed to be cut at the proper length?

o wow, really? I have a whole pile of that NOS grille trim here from at least 10 sources.
That confirms my suspicions then, when I thought I saw more than 2 types. That's gonna be fun trying to match and fit. Pffff!
Title: Re: Oem grill color?
Post by: Engineerd3d on 15 April 2021, 02:46 PM
I finally put the grille back together. Gave it a bit of a polish with mag wheel polish. I think it presents well. (See attached pictures)

I also made a video of the machining process and fixturing in case someone finds this interesting. https://youtu.be/VzMKHV5AG3E

Thank you for your help guys. Once more thing checked off the list.