Saw 20+ Pagodas in one weekend !

[k]

Had the pleasure of driving out to Long Island-New York for the two car shows this past weekend.

In total saw 20+ pagodas (shows/shops/parking/beach, etc)

Hamptons concours: 8 (4+4)
Aventura motors: 8
Local shop: 2 being restored/?
Westbury Show: 3
Beach: 2

Brown, cream, beige, green, and blue were favorites

also, saw probaly 10 leather seat kits on various cars:

-The GAHH type seems to have wide space inserts between the perforation sections (are all seat kits like this? ie from Buds, Millers, Star Quality, World?, etc?)

-The replacement Cognac is quite far from the original; pattern appears almost leopard print. Is this typical or one supplier. Makes saving you vintage cognac leather more of an option.

Also, one note of caution:  happened to see one shop restoring body work with bondo caked on; this was in a covered paint booth; while another car in front-shop was almost done; to very correct standards (leather, carpet, canvas, trim, paint); advise all to use magnet panel checker to check all body panels....was shocked that in this day of SL appreciation this was happening.

Overall, the more pagodas you see the more you can appreciate them and yours!

[mdsalemi]

K,

Note that in a restoration of a 113, it is near impossible NOT to use some polyester or epoxy body filler.  This is because many of the body panels are welded in place, and over the welds you will need something to provide a smooth surface.

I had new fenders, nose and rear body panels, and my restorer used small amounts of what is called "bondo".  I asked about the use of hot lead, and while he could do it, and would do it if I asked, he cautioned me that the flux used for hot lead filling is quite corrosive and difficult to remove entirely; further it kind of bubbles out of the lead leaving small pinholes about 30 days after your paint job.  With many thousands of dollars of Glasurit, I went with the expert's recommendation.

So, on restored vehicles you will encounter small amounts of bondo around the welded seams, but you should not have large amounts taking the place of a proper repair.


Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[peterm]

I went to large auto event Sunday and saw no Pagodas!  I guess the Nascar crowd doesn't have a penchant for German historics.  I did see a few RV's and Mustangs.  I felt quite out of place without tatoo's and all my natural teeth.  We secured pit passes so it was a little safer within the "cage".  Pocono raceway looked a lot different yesterday than it did a month ago when I did the AMG challenge.

[k]

Agree that smoothing seems or thin coat is OK; however, this was the headlight bucket area, and 2/3 of it was cast in bondo with edges squared....no sign of steel or welding.

[France]

Hmmm.... well, the Merc factory used hot lead on the 600 for all new (late 70s) car bodies, a beautifully coach-built to-order car.  You would not see a thing of paint bubbling on those cars.  I guess you would have to go to Kienle these days to see this kind of expert repair.  What you describe in paint bubbling would be caused by the flux, n'est-ce pas?  I used to wash all my flux off (in stained glass building, admittedly not car assembly) before proceeding.  Shouldn't this prevent any damage to subsequent paint layers?  or am I wrong?

Trice
1968 280SL US, signal/bl leather, auto