Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: Kazoo on February 09, 2016, 03:26:58

Title: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Kazoo on February 09, 2016, 03:26:58
When you look through the grill you see the sheet metal sections that are in front of the battery on one side, and in front of the air cleaner canister on the other, and I imagine they got body color paint when the whole car was painted. Can someone tell me if MB originally blacked out these two sections ( with black paint) so that you don't see body color through the grill? Or were they just left.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Tyler S on February 09, 2016, 03:36:00
Yes they were blacked out. Believe it or not the paint was applied with a brush!
The paint used was the same dark dark grey/black used on the rocker panels. There is some info about it in the tech manual I believe.
Some discussion about it here>> http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21954.msg156800#msg156800
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Benz Dr. on February 09, 2016, 05:51:17
I agree yet I've seen original cars where it wasn't blacked out so I 'm not going to say always.
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Kazoo on February 09, 2016, 14:40:19
Those may have been friday cars during Oktoberfest !
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Tyler S on February 09, 2016, 16:27:22
Maybe only light color or metallic paint cars got the treatment? Keeping it from clashing with the black grille.
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Benz Dr. on February 09, 2016, 16:35:01
This car is a signal red 230SL - a 1964. I don't think body colour has anything to do with the blacked out treatment.
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Jonny B on February 09, 2016, 16:49:27
Here are some shots of an original owner 250 SL, undergoing restoration work some years ago. The restored car has been seen in a number of magazines since it was completed. It is stunning.
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: 66andBlue on February 09, 2016, 17:53:54
I agree yet I've seen original cars where it wasn't blacked out so I 'm not going to say always.
Dan,
the brushed-on paint that was used was not very durable as you can see in the photo here.
Some eager beaver could have removed it before you saw the car first.
The driver side had even more spots where the paint had peeled off. This car left the factory on May 15, 1964 and had not been repainted until last year.
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: 49er on February 09, 2016, 18:03:37
Yes they were blacked out. Believe it or not the paint was applied with a brush!
The paint used was the same dark dark grey/black used on the rocker panels. There is some info about it in the tech manual I believe.
Some discussion about it here>> http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21954.msg156800#msg156800

 Pretty sure all were painted black and most definitely with a brush (and not very neatly either). Brush work also behind the doors and below the bright trim where the rocker meets the body and it is dark grey.

 When my '67 250SL came back from the Hollywood Mercedes body shop (operated by Hollywood Mercedes) after my front end collision all those years ago, everything behind the grill (except the radiator) was painted white. It went back to get it "touched up" with the proper black. I guess it was a common mistake to make then.

John

John
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Kazoo on February 09, 2016, 18:28:09
Well I guess I should address the elephant in the room.... just to keep this fun thread going....Love the photos btw - thank you!

Do you slap it on there with a brush, or do a nice tidy job with tape and a spray gun?? ::)
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Tyler S on February 09, 2016, 19:22:08
Do as "Fritz" did. Start it on a friday. Go to lunch and have a 6 pack. Get back to work around 2. Employ your favorite Picasso or Rembrandt technique. Punch out and let it dry. Will look like it just came from the factory!
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Kazoo on February 09, 2016, 19:29:35
OH NO...I knew you were going to say that....will have to check my ADD at the pub...and go for the 6 pack!

Then about the color....matte black like the suspension components or is there a special color that may require another treasure hunt to find?
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: 49er on February 09, 2016, 19:50:45
Here are a few more photos (including the area above the rocker and trim). Neatness didn't count and it was being done on an assembly line but you have the time so masking tape would probably be a good thing :)  The paint has dulled a bit over the years but semi gloss sounds about right.

John
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Tyler S on February 09, 2016, 20:19:08
The discussion link I posted above has paint codes. Though dont know if their still avail.
Title: Re: Black out paint behind grill screen
Post by: Benz Dr. on February 17, 2016, 16:39:04
Dan,
the brushed-on paint that was used was not very durable as you can see in the photo here.
Some eager beaver could have removed it before you saw the car first.
The driver side had even more spots where the paint had peeled off. This car left the factory on May 15, 1964 and had not been repainted until last year.

This car has never been painted and it only has about 35,000 miles on it. Some areas were blacked out but not behind the grill. Very original car.