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The "Goldilocks" restoration thread

Started by ptashek, 28 March 2014, 07:56 AM

gavin116

Hi Lucas


What a beautiful thing to behold! Goldilocks will now last forever.  I take it the black finish is e-coat?


Many congratulations on a job well done.


Gavin
1979 450SE "Mrs White"
2022 Touareg-R 3.0TSi Hybrid
[url="http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/"]http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/[/url]
[url="http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613"]http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613[/url]

ptashek

Thanks! Yes, the black finish is the e-coat. Got my dad - who happens to be a body work master craftsman, and oversees the project for me locally - to check it over, and he tells me it got to every nook and cranny he was able to see, which is the main advantage over spray-on epoxy primers. I sure hope it'll last long enough to make the whole thing worthwhile :)
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

floyd111

God, I am ready to weep at the site of this. What a thing of beauty!. I want, I want, I want! Forgot my doubts about going all the way. If this isn't it, what is?
Now I am really in trouble. I secretly hope there isn't such a facility in Taiwan, coz if I find one, I am all-in!
Still, I secretly wonder whether you you will manage to not buy even more, new parts to match the perfection of this immaculate chassis.
Anyone who's ever seen a non-restored naked W116 chassis will agree. Hats off.. this is the summit.

ptashek

Well, the project has hit its first major snag. So, my dad checked out the coating and was satisfied with it, but as the workshop guys started prepping the surface for first coat of primer, they found a few spots where the coating has peeled off when lightly sanded, revealing... rust spots. Yes, you read that right. So now its back to discussing my options with the Germans. Suffice to say, I'm not a happy camper after paying them thousands of EUR to have an epoxy-primed rust-free chassis.

TBC...
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

gavin116

Hi Lucas


Sorry to hear that there's been a problem.  What a set back! I'm sure they can chemically strip and re-dip for you at no further cost to you.  Good thing your dad is there on hand to help oversee things.  And even better that your resto-guys have put a halt on the project and not just ignored the problem.


Good luck further,


Gavin
1979 450SE "Mrs White"
2022 Touareg-R 3.0TSi Hybrid
[url="http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/"]http://forum.w116.org/test-drive/my-first-w116-here-at-last/[/url]
[url="http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613"]http://forum.w116.org/the-org/british-near-london-meet/msg97613/#msg97613[/url]

ptashek

Just got off the phone with the Germans, and I'm mildly satisfied with their explanation, especially after they've sent me pics taken during the process. Apparently the thing that looks like rust actually isn't. They say it's an epoxy resin that was used at factory between the seams of spot-welded panels, and which creeped out when the chassis was baked at 200*C after coating, and there's zero that can be done about it. Their chemistry can't creep into those seams deep enough to get rid of that thing, they're so tight. The resin is crusted, brown and hard (which rust shouldn't be, hence why I'm "mildly satisfied"). Yet, somehow I find it hard to believe two guys with 60 years combined experience got fooled that easy. They're doing some tests. There are two spots where I am not convinced by the "resin" argument, so I'm keeping my options open.

And now, for the gory details, for posterity's sake:
http://goo.gl/8awlsk
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

oversize

Seems like there's no-where on the planet that does the 'perfect' job!!  Maybe we expect too much??
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

floyd111

I feel your frustration.. I'd be in meltdown..

ptashek

The whole story of Goldilocks restoration so far, in pictures. Rust-free climate viewers be advised, this content is graphic ;)
https://goo.gl/iyt9fe

p.s.: Pics are saved in a rather unsorted way. I'll get to that eventually.

Current status: paint job prep underway.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

ptashek

Another short update on progress, or rather lack thereof.

Bumpers are due back from re-chroming this week.
Upholstery resto starts this week too.
Chassis is prepped for paint.

The guys were focusing on getting the Iso Grifo mentioned in this thread out the door, after something like 3 years of constant attention in the shop. Can't blame them. They've probably been sick of it by now ;)
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

ptashek

And when things were looking OK again... cabrio.de just let me know they are no longer able to deliver the moss green velours 916P plain and 916R ribbed fabric. Bugger that  >:(
Those folks are my last hope: http://www.steenbuck-web.de/mercedes_polstervelour_wollvelour.htm

If that doesn't workout, it'll be bye-bye originality.
I guess that's another point for "the W116 buyer's guide": Do not buy a velours upholstered model. Ever.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

marku

Sure about that? Lots of earlier models had velour upholstery including the 600 it was often only the driver's seat was leather. I remember not too long ago seeing rolls of velour for sale by MB.
1974 450SE silver green/bamboo velour/green vinyl roof

ptashek

MB doesn't sell any upholstery material no more, and interior panels haven't been available for quite some time.
At least that's what I've been told by UK and German MB dealers.

It's likely that other velours colours are more readily available.
Moss green wasn't the most popular, and it shows :|
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

marku

What's the alternative then new leather? Do see the odd old set on ebay occasionally.
1974 450SE silver green/bamboo velour/green vinyl roof

ptashek

Quote from: marku on 21 July 2015, 02:14 PM
What's the alternative then new leather? Do see the odd old set on ebay occasionally.

Cloth and MB Tex(ish) are in better supply, but also in the more popular colours.
There is an option of ordering non-dyed white velours, plain and ribbed, and dying it to spec. But minimum order is 40rm, and it ain't very affordable either.

The all-out option is to redo everything (panels, dash, seats etc.) in custom leather/vinyl, if I can't find a velours supplier that has some residual stock.
It would be a shame though, because the only thing that really needs work are the seats. That damn velours wears out without shame.
I could also just let it be, and get some seat covers, but that defeats the purpose of a full-on restoration.

Second hand interior is not an option I'm considering. There's no point to it.

Either way, I have a month or two to figure out a plan, before the interior will be ready for re-assembly.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE