Junk yard finds
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
I got the whole piece, grill insert, chrome, emblem bolts, clips and decent metal inserts on the front for $30. I was looking at ones on ebay and such and they were well over $100 for less. I figured I can always resell one of them after I am done swaping cuz then they will both be painted and polished up.
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
Grill with the first coat of paint (already disassembled)
Four coats applied
After clear coat applied
Final with chrome surround sitting over it
I am going to paint the background of the emblem blue again and polish up the chrome before I put it back together, but for a first attempt I think it came out pretty good.
Four coats applied
After clear coat applied
Final with chrome surround sitting over it
I am going to paint the background of the emblem blue again and polish up the chrome before I put it back together, but for a first attempt I think it came out pretty good.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
I don't know. I think its because we assume that gray is faded from black, not that the grille was manufactured gray to begin with. So yeah, maybe the "gray hair" effect a bit.
Also, since our cladding/bumpers/etc are all (mostly) still black, the gray grille looks out of place and mis-matched.
Also, since our cladding/bumpers/etc are all (mostly) still black, the gray grille looks out of place and mis-matched.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Oh, OC, a slight addendum. Paint the pull-tab, hood release, thinger, whatever you call it, black as well. I didn't when I did my grille and it really irks me that I can see it at certain angles :|
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
Thanks! Good tip. I have discovered that I am a bad painter. I need to practice my rattle can skills.
ps2cho - you have a ton of DIY threads with really good info (that are great), but you have expanded into the really tough jobs. I am trying to make a few small job (beginner level) DIY things for stuff like this grill painting.
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Yeah, I learned how to spray by painting my Sega Dreamcast, my computer case, and then anything lying about the house I wanted to look a different color.
Basically, you need to do it in an area with great lighting, great ventilation, and minimal dust/flying crap.
I normally prefer to work outdoors for this reason but you will likely have to tape down your workspace and then you may have bits of pollen or other plant matter thrown onto your work when it is drying.
Try and keep the can about 8-12" away from what you are spraying and lay down even layers. I judge the layers by how glossy it looks at a certain angle. The more recent and more thick the spray, the glossier and darker it will look. Try and match it up and make wide sweeps that do not allow your hand to spend more than a moment over each spot it passes. You pause, you will likely lay on too much and get drips.
Basically, you need to do it in an area with great lighting, great ventilation, and minimal dust/flying crap.
I normally prefer to work outdoors for this reason but you will likely have to tape down your workspace and then you may have bits of pollen or other plant matter thrown onto your work when it is drying.
Try and keep the can about 8-12" away from what you are spraying and lay down even layers. I judge the layers by how glossy it looks at a certain angle. The more recent and more thick the spray, the glossier and darker it will look. Try and match it up and make wide sweeps that do not allow your hand to spend more than a moment over each spot it passes. You pause, you will likely lay on too much and get drips.
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
So ... a little light sanding and two more coats of clear and i think its ready. i had a bunch of little bubbles on the clear I wanted to knock down and now I think it looks pretty good. I will post after I put it all back together again and then a before and after shot.
Last edited by ocpanther; Mar 11, 2010 at 01:31 AM.
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From: Los Angeles
1993 400E, 1994 E420, 2000 SL500, 2014 C250
ps2cho: Drove down to SD yesterday and went to the pick-a-parts down there.....I'm desperately looking for parts for this old 450sl project that I have going. I know you were looking for 4ooE parts, as am I. I found one at the Pick Your Part in SD/Chula Vista. That makes TWO 4ooE's in all of Southern California so far!!!! I need to go to 2 more places (Rialto and Santa Fe Springs).
So to recap, there are 2 4ooE's in Socal. One in San Diego, and one in San Bernardino.
I grabbed the spare wheel/tire (in new condition) off the 4ooE to replace one of my faded rims and messed up tires, as well as the tan door trim for the interior.
So to recap, there are 2 4ooE's in Socal. One in San Diego, and one in San Bernardino.
I grabbed the spare wheel/tire (in new condition) off the 4ooE to replace one of my faded rims and messed up tires, as well as the tan door trim for the interior.
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1987 300E, 1995 C280
is clearing really worth it? i blacked out my rear badges, but i didn't clear i just sprayed it satin.. looks pretty good.. also i was planning on painting my grill satin as well, but wouldn't clear make it shinier? and anyone going to a junkyard soon want to work something out with me? as full grill assemblies go for like 100ish each :S im in LA (no junkyards near me)
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Clearing is very worth it if you don't want to re-spray and re-prep like, every year. I did mine about 3 summers ago and it is still mostly free of chips.
I got some from this Winter when I had to constantly stop and clean my grille of ice with a snow brush (chips from the snow blade), so yeah. If you clear enough layers it will really hold up quite nicely.
I got some from this Winter when I had to constantly stop and clean my grille of ice with a snow brush (chips from the snow blade), so yeah. If you clear enough layers it will really hold up quite nicely.
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
Another sucessful day. I went on sale day ... that was an experiance. I got a good portion of my list of oddball items that are worn/broken/missing. Along with a good day of fun and another $30 this car fixing thing is becomming an obsession.
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1987 300E, 1995 C280
man.. im really gonna go to a junkyard soon because of all these things your picking up now..
and saijin if i want to repaint, do i have to clean off all the paint first with thinner or something? or can i just sand and respray?
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
Watch out for the sanding. I tried that at first and realized there were so many little squares it was going to take a lifetime. I ended up cleaning it really well with a scotchbrite pad and then washing.
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1987 300E, 1995 C280
well i thought you always had to sand if its not like a wall or something
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
so ... I just finished putting the grille back together and realized I have no idea how to remove or replace the hood star. I will post pictures of the assembled grille in a bit, I would like some feedback on it and then I am putting it on the car.
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1987 300E, 1995 C280
i think all you need to do is push the tabs that hold it with some pliers or something, and it should just fall out
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From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
The center shifer piece I am going to attempt to refinish. I bought the stripper and clear finish. I have researched several other peoples threads on this and it seems like it just take extreme patience.
ps2cho - did you ever finish yours? Did you like how it came out? Do you have a final pic of it reinstalled?
ps2cho - did you ever finish yours? Did you like how it came out? Do you have a final pic of it reinstalled?
Well I decided to stip and refinish the center wood I picked up from the yard. here are the pieces I started with.
removed all the plastic from the back ...
Here is the back ...
and here it is stripped of that foul coating ...
Next up some new stain and some clear varnish or paint.
