Author Topic: FENDER WELDS  (Read 4418 times)

John Betsch - "SADIE"

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FENDER WELDS
« on: October 13, 2018, 19:15:42 »
On my euro car, if you look at the picture of the fender welds, you see a series of rubber plugs which I don't see in  other weld pictures?  They are on both sides.  Ideas?  I know the car had the bottom undercoated  (~1976) with a spray-oil graphite/molybdenium in Germany- could they be from that, and is that common Germany practice
JB; 1965 German market SL, Rot Met 571, Summary Code 213 Interior

Steve.k

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2018, 21:32:57 »
The rubber grommets are normal, but they were originally painted the body color.   However, the spot welds do not appear normal.   The lower row is not original, nor is the vertical row.   The spacing of the top row is not as neat and evenly spaced as the factory original.   I’d say that fender was replaced with a decent attempt to match the original. 

John Betsch - "SADIE"

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2018, 23:23:01 »
Thank you Steve, (and everyone else who might also reply) for taking the time to provide information about my inquiry.  Everyday I learn more and more.  JB ;)
JB; 1965 German market SL, Rot Met 571, Summary Code 213 Interior

louie2

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2018, 16:44:29 »
My 280SL has welds but no plugs. What was purpose of plugs? My car to my knowledge has original fenders.

Pawel66

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2018, 17:06:39 »
It has been mentioned recently (cannot find the post now) - the plugs were there to cover holes. And the holes were introduced after 68 to improve access for rust protection purposes - at least this is how I understood the theory. That would be the root cause I guess.

ok, found it: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=20934.msg148619#msg148619
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Shvegel

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2018, 00:58:36 »
Pawel is correct the holes were not there until 1968.  I would assume they were added to allow the dipped primer to reach the inside of the frame areas of the chassis.  At first the holes were plugged after priming the body and painted along with the rest of the chassis  but later on the holes were left without plugs.  I am thinking 70-71 cars had the holes unplugged but I have seen many restored cars with unpainted plugs which may not be correct.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2018, 11:51:37 by Shvegel »

Shvegel

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2018, 01:02:52 »
The lower row of spot welds are indeed correct.  That is the lower welds for the inner structure reinforcement (spear) in the wheel well.  Looks totally correct to me.  These cars were welded by guys with tong welders so the rows are never totally even or consistent.  The welds were kept low on the fenders so as not to distore the crown of the fender where additional bodywork may have been needed.

johnk

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2018, 01:09:33 »
They look similar to my welds which are original
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
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Steve.k

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2018, 14:59:31 »
I stand corrected, my bad. Sorry for the confusion.  Mine has the lower row as well. 

Mike Hughes

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2018, 13:02:40 »
To tell the truth, I think those black plugs look like "Ziebart plugs." Ziebart performs rustproofing services using their own employees in their own shops.  They will drill access holes to insure proper coverage inside body cavities like the one in the "ledge" structure above the wheels in the front wheel wells, then plug the holes.  For some, seeing "Ziebart plugs" is a sign that a previous owner went the extra mile to preserve the vehicle.  Search elsewhere around your Pagoda's body and you may find more of these plugs.


If johnk has a photo of the wheel side side of the inner fender you will see the "ledge" structure to which I am referring.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2018, 13:10:07 by Mike Hughes »
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

Pawel66

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2018, 16:44:55 »
The plugs on the picture indeed do not look like Mercedes plugs. Are Ziebart plugs marked with logo or descriptions?

That would be good thing to know...
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

49er

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #11 on: October 17, 2018, 21:03:19 »
 No plugs on my July '68 build car. Picture show the welds also.

John
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77217 miles
7280 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

Mike Hughes

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2018, 01:58:18 »
I don't remember if they had any markings or not, I just remember the black rubber plugs in the Honda Accord I had Ziebarted back in the late 70's looked just like the ones in the photo SADIE posted.
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
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Shvegel

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2018, 02:20:31 »
They look like the factory rubber plugs to me.

114015

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2018, 12:29:21 »

Shvegel is right.
Clearly look to me as factory parts as well.

A113 987 0044    8)



Achim
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Shvegel

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #15 on: October 18, 2018, 17:00:40 »
Factory plug:

johnk

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #16 on: October 22, 2018, 02:26:05 »
This is a pic of the ledge mike Hughes was referring to above
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

Pawel66

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Re: FENDER WELDS
« Reply #17 on: October 22, 2018, 06:10:23 »
Factory plug:

I do not see the markings on the other picture. Could be the time wiped them a bit, could be the picture quality. If markings are not there - I have seen many generic plugs of similar shape.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class