Where To Find Best Quality Chrome Wheel Arch Fender Trim

[Squiggle Dog]

I want to install chrome wheel arch fender trim on my 1980 300SD. Which brand is the best quality, and where do I get it?

For $350 I can get an NOS German-made set from 1980, same year my car was made. However, I can't justify the expense.

I remember that RockAuto's website used to sell Autotrim Accessories brand with "RADLAUF-SCHUTZZIERLEISTEN FENDER MOULDINGS" written on the box with a German address. Now they sell Uro Parts brand and I wonder if they are any good?

I already tried TFP brand that is a "no-drill" clip-on type. Only no clips are included and they tell you to use screws anyway, which defeats the purpose of their "no drill" claim. Also, the trim was too narrow and fit poorly so it was a rip-off and I returned it for a refund.

I want to find a QUALITY set of wheel arch trim that fits the entire shape of the fender arch and not just part of it like some others I have seen. I also want consistent hole placement so if they get scratched or damaged I can replace them and use the existing holes I drilled in my fenders.

Does anyone have experience with certain brands and have pictures to show the fit? If I am to drill holes in my fenders I don't want cheap junk on there.

[Mforcer]

This needs to be a poll to determine if you should install the wheel arch trim or not

Otherwise I can't help, sorry.

[chrismsullivan]

I've not bought any from these guys, but they seem to have what you want at a reasonable price. Plus they supply screws and clips so you can decide whether you want to drill, or clip!

http://www.carshine.com.au/shop/catalog/index.php?cPath=38_43&osCsid=22b544a4f2039c4ef5e6121776384d88

[flutes]

Screws? Don't do it.  Clips or not at all.  This sounds like a recipe for more rust.

[goldacre]

I purchased a set from MB Spares and they were fine but are stainless steel, not chrome. My research back then was you have to find a good set of second hand types from a wreckers as the originals were chrome.

If in doubt the stainless steel ones scratch very easily, the chrome ones do not.

Pretty sure the ones in the link are stainless steel type.

You could try Tom Hanson at the Classic Center in Irvine California 

Goldacre

[oscar]

I bought from carshine and was a bit 50/50 about the trim.  Good service, no probs there, it's just the pack I got was a mix of screwed and clipped type, one side clip the other screw only and the rubber perished within two years and I'm mostly in a garage.  They're stainless steel as well and have got numerous scratches and buff marks.  Having said that, they still look good and polish up even better.  Whilst not the best they cost me $163 deleivered in 06 and at $145 shelf price now they're still pretty good value I reckon.

I do have a second set I bought off ebay later in 06 seen below, from a private seller clearing out his merc stuff.  These look quite different, a cleaner edge to them and the rubber doesn't cover the cutouts where the trim goes around the black body trim.  They're not road tested, been in the box for at least 7+yrs going by what PO told me. 

They're "Precision Trim" brand, made in Taiwan and the seller swore they were chromed brass not polished stainless.  The way they look on the edges (2nd photo) I'd have to say they're covered in chrome and the lustre is different, plus they feel a bit heavier, but not by much.  If there's a sure way to tell they're brass/chrome or chromed something other than looks I'd love to know.  They are supposed to go on with clamps however I only have the screw part of the clamps.  Cost was $172 posted for good as new, never fitted, still in box.  Retail was over $300 I think he said. 

Whilst they look the part, it looks like "Precision Trim" are no longer with us.  Can't find address info on box nor anything on the web.
But if you came accross some like I did I'd say jump on them.

[Papalangi]

You can give adsitco a call, http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1487

or give Kent a call at http://www.mercedessource.com/, he is up in Bellingham

Michael

[Squiggle Dog]

This needs to be a poll to determine if you should install the wheel arch trim or not

Otherwise I can't help, sorry.

Oh, I definitely should. I love the look of the chrome wheel arch trim.

[Squiggle Dog]

I've not bought any from these guys, but they seem to have what you want at a reasonable price. Plus they supply screws and clips so you can decide whether you want to drill, or clip!

http://www.carshine.com.au/shop/catalog/index.php?cPath=38_43&osCsid=22b544a4f2039c4ef5e6121776384d88

I wonder what brand it is that they import. I looked at the picture of the W116 they had listed and it looks like the trim covers most of the wheel arch. I wanted to go with the clip method but I've been told over and over again that the clips don't work.

I used to think that I preferred stainless over plated, but plated ones can be refinished and stainless ones are probably scrap once they get scratched.

[Squiggle Dog]

Screws? Don't do it.  Clips or not at all.  This sounds like a recipe for more rust.

I've been told time and time again that the clips don't work. I ordered a clip-on type and it was missing the clips. I contacted the manufacturer about it and they said they don't provide clips because they didn't work and can no longer sell them. False advertising if you ask me.

I don't mind drilling holes for screws if the trim I install can be refinished or I can buy new trim with the mounting holes in the same locations if I need to replace them. I would put anti-seize paste, grease, or a rust converter on the hole threads to prevent rust from starting at the holes. I would make sure to remove the fender trim and clean the area underneath every few years.

[Squiggle Dog]

I purchased a set from MB Spares and they were fine but are stainless steel, not chrome. My research back then was you have to find a good set of second hand types from a wreckers as the originals were chrome.

If in doubt the stainless steel ones scratch very easily, the chrome ones do not.

Pretty sure the ones in the link are stainless steel type.

You could try Tom Hanson at the Classic Center in Irvine California 

Goldacre

I used to prefer the stainless ones but now I think I'd rather have a set that can be refinished (though maybe stainless steel can be chrome plated if it gets scratched up?). I almost bought a nearly perfect set from a wrecking yard that was plated, but they were riveted on and I thought, "Why install this set if I get a new set later on and the mounting holes don't line up?"

[Squiggle Dog]

I bought from carshine and was a bit 50/50 about the trim.  Good service, no probs there, it's just the pack I got was a mix of screwed and clipped type, one side clip the other screw only and the rubber perished within two years and I'm mostly in a garage.  They're stainless steel as well and have got numerous scratches and buff marks.  Having said that, they still look good and polish up even better.  Whilst not the best they cost me $163 deleivered in 06 and at $145 shelf price now they're still pretty good value I reckon.

I do have a second set I bought off ebay later in 06 seen below, from a private seller clearing out his merc stuff.  These look quite different, a cleaner edge to them and the rubber doesn't cover the cutouts where the trim goes around the black body trim.  They're not road tested, been in the box for at least 7+yrs going by what PO told me. 

They're "Precision Trim" brand, made in Taiwan and the seller swore they were chromed brass not polished stainless.  The way they look on the edges (2nd photo) I'd have to say they're covered in chrome and the lustre is different, plus they feel a bit heavier, but not by much.  If there's a sure way to tell they're brass/chrome or chromed something other than looks I'd love to know.  They are supposed to go on with clamps however I only have the screw part of the clamps.  Cost was $172 posted for good as new, never fitted, still in box.  Retail was over $300 I think he said. 

Whilst they look the part, it looks like "Precision Trim" are no longer with us.  Can't find address info on box nor anything on the web.
But if you came accross some like I did I'd say jump on them.

I don't think stainless steel is magnetic, but then I doubt brass is, so the magnet trick might not work. If one is plated steel then a magnet would stick to it and you would know it's not stainless.

[Squiggle Dog]

You can give adsitco a call, http://www.adsitco.com/category.asp?CID=1487

or give Kent a call at http://www.mercedessource.com/, he is up in Bellingham

Michael

I think Adsit sells Uro brand trim, which is stainless. Still, the price is good and if they fit nicely and are either restorable after being scratched, or will be made far enough into the future that replacements can be had, then I might go with them. I guess it would be wise to buy two sets in case anything happened to the first set.

[Papalangi]

To reduce the rusting problem, you could try coating the screw threads with silicone before driving them home.  You can also get galvanizing compound in a spray can.  Liberal application of it after the hole is drilled combined with the silicone trick and maybe swapping the supplied screws out for stainless if they don't come that way.

Michael

[Squiggle Dog]

To reduce the rusting problem, you could try coating the screw threads with silicone before driving them home.  You can also get galvanizing compound in a spray can.  Liberal application of it after the hole is drilled combined with the silicone trick and maybe swapping the supplied screws out for stainless if they don't come that way.

Michael

That sounds good. I thought that silicone caused rust by attracting water molecules, though?