GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

Installed Chrome Hood Fins

Old Aug 30, 2007 | 08:44 PM
  #51  
Nevada Jack's Avatar
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Originally Posted by jpeardm
Jack looks good any way we look at him
LOL...but that may look pretty good at 90mph...
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Old Aug 30, 2007 | 08:47 PM
  #52  
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2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Originally Posted by oknish
That is just too too, and I mean too, funny
I am getting dizzy just looking at that animation...
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Old Aug 30, 2007 | 08:57 PM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
I am getting dizzy just looking at that animation...
Actually I'm finding it very mesmerizing, almost hipnotic, we better be careful folks.
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Old Aug 30, 2007 | 09:08 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by jpeardm
Actually I'm finding it very mesmerizing, almost hipnotic, we better be careful folks.
It kind of has the feeling of the Discovery Channel's description of a Black Hole...:-) Which in a way is what happens in Las Vegas, the casinos suck in all the tourists and their assets along with them...
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Old Aug 31, 2007 | 11:44 AM
  #55  
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Love the animation! That is great.
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 02:48 PM
  #56  
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Originally Posted by StevethePilot
Okay, I did it - I broke down and got the fins, and I installed them. Here's the whole process, as best as I can present it to you guys. First, here's the box that came from Park Place;



The box inside was from Schatz, which if I'm not mistaken is German for "treasure," or something similar.


Inside were six numbered fins, and a set of fairly clear instructions;



The fins lined up and all looked pretty much the same, other than the numbering. (This is not the case!)


Pre-fins;



Excess wax removal was via some dish soap water, followed by a denatured alchohol wipe to ensure no residue on the fins.



Pre-fitting showed I was going in the right direction with the numbers - start at the outside fender on the passenger side and work your way from 1 to 6. Just for kicks, I swapped a fin and found that on each side, the fins are three very slightly different lengths. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER SO AS NOT TO PUT THE WRONG FIN IN THE WRONG PLACE!



Each fin has two piece of 3M adhesive, one down each side of the fin, covered with a protective paper that is in a very small area. Forceps or tweezers (carefully!) helped out. In th second picture, it's hard to see the uncovered tape, but I think you can get the idea. (I hope!) Note the gloves to avoid damaging or marking the plastichrome.



You need to moisten the fin (I used a different part of the sponge), then press it in to place. I aligned the front tip of the cover with the original fin and keeping some pressure on that lowered the rear of the fin into place, which seemed to work well! Make sure you're working with temperatures of at least 21C (about 70F, no problem here in Arizona right now!) as the moisture needs to evaporate after the fins have been attached. They said wait three hours for that to happen. That's about ten minutes in Arizona Summer time.


And done! Whee!




I hope you guys enjoyed this and it helps give you an idea of what's involved!

STP



Awesome install and descrip!!

Is it just the flash from the cam or is your mesh that the fins sit on also chrome??

Looks great that way even if it's just from the flash....
Is it possible to order the mesh in chrome?
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2007 | 11:19 PM
  #57  
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STP, that was a fantastic write up on accesssory installation. Great job.
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 05:52 PM
  #58  
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Originally Posted by StevethePilot
Okay, I did it - I broke down and got the fins, and I installed them. Here's the whole process, as best as I can present it to you guys. First, here's the box that came from Park Place;



The box inside was from Schatz, which if I'm not mistaken is German for "treasure," or something similar.


Inside were six numbered fins, and a set of fairly clear instructions;



The fins lined up and all looked pretty much the same, other than the numbering. (This is not the case!)


Pre-fins;



Excess wax removal was via some dish soap water, followed by a denatured alchohol wipe to ensure no residue on the fins.



Pre-fitting showed I was going in the right direction with the numbers - start at the outside fender on the passenger side and work your way from 1 to 6. Just for kicks, I swapped a fin and found that on each side, the fins are three very slightly different lengths. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER SO AS NOT TO PUT THE WRONG FIN IN THE WRONG PLACE!



Each fin has two piece of 3M adhesive, one down each side of the fin, covered with a protective paper that is in a very small area. Forceps or tweezers (carefully!) helped out. In th second picture, it's hard to see the uncovered tape, but I think you can get the idea. (I hope!) Note the gloves to avoid damaging or marking the plastichrome.



You need to moisten the fin (I used a different part of the sponge), then press it in to place. I aligned the front tip of the cover with the original fin and keeping some pressure on that lowered the rear of the fin into place, which seemed to work well! Make sure you're working with temperatures of at least 21C (about 70F, no problem here in Arizona right now!) as the moisture needs to evaporate after the fins have been attached. They said wait three hours for that to happen. That's about ten minutes in Arizona Summer time.


And done! Whee!




I hope you guys enjoyed this and it helps give you an idea of what's involved!

STP
I can't believe it... Now something else I can't live without.
Reply
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 06:42 PM
  #59  
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I would definitely go with chrome fins .. I got em and am happy I did..
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 07:02 PM
  #60  
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Originally Posted by Waiting-4-550
I would definitely go with chrome fins .. I got em and am happy I did..
So did you put them on your new truck allready?!!!

WordSmith, Don't worry, I have purchased a set for both of our trucks. Fins should be here long before the trucks arrive.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2007 | 07:22 PM
  #61  
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Put mine on. Here's a pic along with one of the new wheels.
Attached Thumbnails Installed Chrome Hood Fins-img_4008.jpg   Installed Chrome Hood Fins-img_4010.jpg  
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 07:36 PM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by Dodson
So did you put them on your new truck allready?!!!

WordSmith, Don't worry, I have purchased a set for both of our trucks. Fins should be here long before the trucks arrive.
I had dealer put em in for me... Real nice!
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 12:13 PM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by dsunnym1
Awesome install and descrip!!

Is it just the flash from the cam or is your mesh that the fins sit on also chrome??

Looks great that way even if it's just from the flash....
Is it possible to order the mesh in chrome?
Just the camera flash. On the black definately (and to a certain extent on most of the colors) it'd be great to have the whole thing in chrome. Folks have talked about chroming the fog light surrounds - maybe someone could remove the grills and chrome them? I think getting that fine mesh evenly chromed would be somewhat difficult and expensive.

STP
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 12:14 PM
  #64  
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Originally Posted by boxboss
STP, that was a fantastic write up on accesssory installation. Great job.
10-Q, and to everyone else who commented as well!
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 12:15 PM
  #65  
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Originally Posted by cc5731478
Put mine on. Here's a pic along with one of the new wheels.
Nice rims! What size are they?
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 01:56 PM
  #66  
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Originally Posted by StevethePilot
Nice rims! What size are they?
Thanks, they're 20s.
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 05:07 PM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by cc5731478
Put mine on. Here's a pic along with one of the new wheels.
Nice job cc on the fins...guess I will have to get with the program..:-)

Wheels look really nice...love chrome with anything dark colored or black.
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 07:16 PM
  #68  
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Originally Posted by BETO
I really want the chrome fog lights cover. I'll try to get them from the dealer today.
You know, I've held off on so many things for this pup just because (though there's a set of AMG pedals on eBay just screamin' my name!), so putting the fins on was a big deal for what you get, though they are quite well engineered and fairly precisely produced, but not that big of a change in appearance (like running boards or skid plates might be).

Now, as for the fog light covers, from what I've read hither, thither and yon, you can't fit the chromes into the space for the standards, you have to remove the old ones and get them chromed.
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 08:47 PM
  #69  
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Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
Nice job cc on the fins...guess I will have to get with the program..:-)

Wheels look really nice...love chrome with anything dark colored or black.
Thanks NJ. I agree that the chrome set off the black. I've got the door inserts as well.
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Old Sep 5, 2007 | 08:49 PM
  #70  
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Originally Posted by StevethePilot
You know, I've held off on so many things for this pup just because (though there's a set of AMG pedals on eBay just screamin' my name!), so putting the fins on was a big deal for what you get, though they are quite well engineered and fairly precisely produced, but not that big of a change in appearance (like running boards or skid plates might be).

Now, as for the fog light covers, from what I've read hither, thither and yon, you can't fit the chromes into the space for the standards, you have to remove the old ones and get them chromed.
That's too funny. I've got the same AMG pedals in my eBay watchlist!
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 12:40 AM
  #71  
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Originally Posted by cc5731478
That's too funny. I've got the same AMG pedals in my eBay watchlist!
I think you just upped the price of the pedal on ebay by bringing more buyers to the site.
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 12:42 AM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by WordSmith
I think you just upped the price of the pedal on ebay by bringing more buyers to the site.
Not sure what they eBay price on the pedals is but I got the entire set of 3 pedals (gas, brake and e Brake) for about $99 from the dealer and they even put them on for free.
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 12:56 AM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by StevethePilot
You know, I've held off on so many things for this pup just because (though there's a set of AMG pedals on eBay just screamin' my name!)…
AMG Pedals!!! What! I didn't know there was such a thing! AMG Pedals; are they from a different car? Do they bolt right in? How do you know which ones fit in the GL? Where have you seen these? I bet they are drilled metal, huh. Sweet!
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 01:03 AM
  #74  
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Smile

Originally Posted by oknish
Not sure what they eBay price on the pedals is but I got the entire set of 3 pedals (gas, brake and e Brake) for about $99 from the dealer and they even put them on for free.
I don't think you can beat that price for all 3 pedals installed. Plus an ebay purchase will hit you up for shipping.
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Old Sep 6, 2007 | 01:55 AM
  #75  
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Originally Posted by Dodson
AMG Pedals!!! What! I didn't know there was such a thing! AMG Pedals; are they from a different car? Do they bolt right in? How do you know which ones fit in the GL? Where have you seen these? I bet they are drilled metal, huh. Sweet!
I guess you are excited about the AMG pedals, huh Here is a link to a pic that shows these pedals https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...1&d=1187663811

If you want more pics let me know and I will do my best. You can buy these separately from the dealer and as I understand they fit all MBs. Installation is not that hard since these have a rubber bottom. You snap off the OEM all rubber pedals and then you snap these on. I watched them do it Adds a nice look and the raised rubber dots provide better traction.

Search for pedals and part numbers and you will find the respective part numbers. I know I dug them up for boss. If not then let me know and I will try.
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