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Restoring Blue 6.9

Started by robertd, 13 April 2013, 04:30 AM

adamb

Ouch. Sounds like you made the right move. More damage was to come.

oversize

Terrible news Rob!  At least you checked on the progress early before things became unrecoverable....

There's lots of trust involved in this sort of work and it pays to use someone who has lots of references and happy clients.  Unfortunately they're not easy to find as most panel shops only deal with collision repairs.  I'm currently thinking who could help you out and I'll let you know when I come up with someone.

At least she's home and safe now
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

oversize

I know who can do rust repairs, chrome and polishing, plus a good bead blasting shop if that helps.
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

robertd

thanks for the concern guys, I'm going to let it sit safely in the shed while I decide which way to go with it.
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

oversize

Sounds like you need to put on the kettle and get out the deck chairs for us to come visit, so we can discuss your next move....   :)
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

robertd

116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

navigator


ADV_rider

Any tips for removing the chrome trim?
Any seals that broke and must be replaced?

W108 1972 280SE 4.5
W116 1977 450SEL 4.5

oversize

Any progress, or has she gone into hibernation for winter?
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

robertd

Update
Have cleaned it up a bit and reattached a replacement front guard and rear door and replaced the boot lid.
After speaking a  few people in the industry I have decided to give it to a specialist classic car restorer to who will attend to any minor rust repairs and panel damage, he has agreed to bring it back to metal and there will be no filler anywhere, then it go to a paint shop that he uses and recommends.
He will have it for about 2 weeks the the paint shop about 5 days.
booked in for mid July.
Cheers
Robert
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

s class

I think a classic car restorer is a far better bet than a crash-repair type body shop.

I am astonished at the short timeframes quoted.  Here in South Africa, I work with the best classic car panel shop, and I would be planning around 6 - 9 months for something like this.  On the paintshop side of things, it really is important to let the 2K primers cure for 30 days or more before final flatting, to ensure any paint sinkage/shrinkage processes are totally complete. 


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

oversize

Excellent news!  Have you seen any of their past work, or spoken to any old clients?  Where's the rust?
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

robertd

Having trouble finding the upload icon on gallery for some update photos?
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

TJ 450

Last time I checked, I was also unable to log in to the gallery to upload photos.

I ended up using Imageshack.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

oversize

Good point, there doesn't seem to be any icon to initiate an upload.....

I use Photobucket
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P