Warm weather: Attacking Rust!
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
Warm weather: Attacking Rust!
Had the first warm day overhere. I've been eager to combat various rust spots on my otherwise very clean car. Started out with the front of the hood, the air intake on top of the hood, and from behind a tail light. All rust is sanded out and the metal protected with zinc spray. Next week paint! The right rear door will have to be done by a shop later on...
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
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From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
Painted the front of the hood today. Tackling new spots on both sides of the hood, and the passenger door. My car is technically in good shape but if I find more of these severe rust problems I'm developing a love-hate relationship with it!
Hood painted and insides sprayed with Valvoline Tectyl-ML internal rust preventive:
Passenger door, behind the sill:
Side of the hood:
Hood painted and insides sprayed with Valvoline Tectyl-ML internal rust preventive:
Passenger door, behind the sill:
Side of the hood:
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
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From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
The seam from masking off needs to be polished but it will always remain slightly visible. At least the car looks better this way without getting-larger-rust-spots! I've been quoted around €3000.- to have it all sandblasted and resprayed but ALL the bodyshops say that in about two years the same rust spots will return since it's IN the metal. I can manage a lot of preventive work like this myself instead of dropping in € 3K with a good chance of having to shell out again in two years! I might even drive a W211 or something else by then...
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 73
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From: Canada
2007 E550, 2007 GL450
@Lancelot - nice work! I commend you working to keep another W210 on the road. 
As I posted in another post just now, you don't see many W210's here in eastern Canada at all. They've literally rusted to pieces. I think the W210 was the worst MB chassis ever for this aspect. For one family member, I simply replaced the front fenders completely (bought primed ones and painted them, bolted on). Easier and more permanent than the old grind, treat, prime and paint routine which almost always results in the rust returning after a few years at best.
If you have not already done so, peel back the rubber weather trim around the upper door frame (window area) and look underneath the door panels as well. The door frame issue had a bulletin for it (apply some MB wax underneath the rubber trim). Have you checked your spring perches recently as well?
Sad that MB made these chassis so poorly. The engines and trannies have stood up well otherwise.
If you decide on a W211, get a facelifted one. Many aluminum parts were added including front fenders, hood, trunk and front subframe.
As I posted in another post just now, you don't see many W210's here in eastern Canada at all. They've literally rusted to pieces. I think the W210 was the worst MB chassis ever for this aspect. For one family member, I simply replaced the front fenders completely (bought primed ones and painted them, bolted on). Easier and more permanent than the old grind, treat, prime and paint routine which almost always results in the rust returning after a few years at best.
If you have not already done so, peel back the rubber weather trim around the upper door frame (window area) and look underneath the door panels as well. The door frame issue had a bulletin for it (apply some MB wax underneath the rubber trim). Have you checked your spring perches recently as well?
Sad that MB made these chassis so poorly. The engines and trannies have stood up well otherwise.
If you decide on a W211, get a facelifted one. Many aluminum parts were added including front fenders, hood, trunk and front subframe.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
@Lancelot - nice work! I commend you working to keep another W210 on the road.
As I posted in another post just now, you don't see many W210's here in eastern Canada at all. They've literally rusted to pieces. I think the W210 was the worst MB chassis ever for this aspect. For one family member, I simply replaced the front fenders completely (bought primed ones and painted them, bolted on). Easier and more permanent than the old grind, treat, prime and paint routine which almost always results in the rust returning after a few years at best.
If you have not already done so, peel back the rubber weather trim around the upper door frame (window area) and look underneath the door panels as well. The door frame issue had a bulletin for it (apply some MB wax underneath the rubber trim). Have you checked your spring perches recently as well?
Sad that MB made these chassis so poorly. The engines and trannies have stood up well otherwise.
If you decide on a W211, get a facelifted one. Many aluminum parts were added including front fenders, hood, trunk and front subframe.
As I posted in another post just now, you don't see many W210's here in eastern Canada at all. They've literally rusted to pieces. I think the W210 was the worst MB chassis ever for this aspect. For one family member, I simply replaced the front fenders completely (bought primed ones and painted them, bolted on). Easier and more permanent than the old grind, treat, prime and paint routine which almost always results in the rust returning after a few years at best.
If you have not already done so, peel back the rubber weather trim around the upper door frame (window area) and look underneath the door panels as well. The door frame issue had a bulletin for it (apply some MB wax underneath the rubber trim). Have you checked your spring perches recently as well?
Sad that MB made these chassis so poorly. The engines and trannies have stood up well otherwise.
If you decide on a W211, get a facelifted one. Many aluminum parts were added including front fenders, hood, trunk and front subframe.
- The car has been dealer maintained upto when I got it last year so the wax has been applied behind the top door rubbers
- The right front fender will have to be replaced like you did
- I'm now working on the right side doors, the front door is ok, the rear door is dramatic! I removed the door panels entirely and sprayed Tectyl-ML in all seams, edges and the bottom especially.
- All in all it's becoming a real project that'll keep me busy uptil June I guess (depending on weatherconditions)
Some other W210 woes:
The other day I found out the second smartkey doesn't work. It opens the doors and trunk but noting happens when inserted into the ignition...will probably need a new key!
The A/C WAS working but with the hissing sound from the center vents, indicating the need for a recharge. Today it was hot outside and now the EC light doesn't come off anymore so on to an A/C service center...yay!
Last edited by Lancelot; Apr 20, 2011 at 04:07 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Canada
2007 E550, 2007 GL450
- My spring perches are fine
- The car has been dealer maintained upto when I got it last year so the wax has been applied behind the top door rubbers
- The right front fender will have to be replaced like you did
- I'm now working on the right side doors, the front door is ok, the rear door is dramatic! I removed the door panels entirely and sprayed Tectyl-ML in all seams, edges and the bottom especially.
- All in all it's becoming a real project that'll keep me busy uptil June I guess (depending on weatherconditions)
Some other W210 woes:
The other day I found out the second smartkey doesn't work. It opens the doors and trunk but noting happens when inserted into the ignition...will probably need a new key!
The A/C WAS working but with the hissing sound from the center vents, indicating the need for a recharge. Today it was hot outside and now the EC light doesn't come off anymore so on to an A/C service center...yay!
- The car has been dealer maintained upto when I got it last year so the wax has been applied behind the top door rubbers
- The right front fender will have to be replaced like you did
- I'm now working on the right side doors, the front door is ok, the rear door is dramatic! I removed the door panels entirely and sprayed Tectyl-ML in all seams, edges and the bottom especially.
- All in all it's becoming a real project that'll keep me busy uptil June I guess (depending on weatherconditions)
Some other W210 woes:
The other day I found out the second smartkey doesn't work. It opens the doors and trunk but noting happens when inserted into the ignition...will probably need a new key!
The A/C WAS working but with the hissing sound from the center vents, indicating the need for a recharge. Today it was hot outside and now the EC light doesn't come off anymore so on to an A/C service center...yay!
