grill bar felt strip?

[Rick]

I am installing my grill and took a look at the EPC parts diagram.  It shows what is described as a "felt" between the front grill bars and the front grill screen, pn 000 983 12 92.   I didn't have these felt strips on the grill when I removed it.  Are these supposed to be there?.   I checked with MBZ and was quoted $57 each which seems kind of expensive for what I am guessing (but I am not sure) are strips of felt.  Anything special about these?

[hauser]

Have a look at page 7 of the 280sl restoration. 

http://www.motoringinvestments.com/MainPage.htm

[Witt]

......when I reassembled my Pagoda after having it painted, I used silicone as a protective layer / buffer between all the chrome and the body. I was under the impression that the PO installed the masking tape. You must admit, that is most un- Mercedes like.

CHEERS !
WITT !

[Rick]

Interesting method of placing masking tape on the chrome surround, it would seem MBZ could have come up with a better material.  Has anyone seen the felt strip on the horzontal grill bars as is shown in the parts book?

[Naj ✝︎]

Could original have been a cloth tape similar to the one on instruments?

naj

[Dave Gallon]

Yes, there are supposed to be two felt strips. The dimension is 2 x 15 x 50 mm. In otherwords, there is only a little strip on either side. The material is sold by the meter. You would think the width of the fabric would be 1 meter but that is not the case. I have it in stock and the material measures about 38 inches or about .95 meters side. So, quantity one of 000 983 12 92 is a piece of felt about 2 x 995 x 1000mm. The current list is $67.00, my price $49.22. If anybody wants enough to cut two pieces 2 x 15 x 50 mm, I will cut the roll so get in touch.

[Dave Gallon]

Yes, MB used a strip of masking tape to insulate the grill assembly from the body. I have seen masking tape used in other Mercedes applications, as well.

[66andBlue]

......  You must admit, that is most un- Mercedes like.

Really? It lasted very well for +40 years until you touched it, didn't it? 

The original  "masking tape" was a cotton-based cloth tape. A very good modern substitute is water proof bandage tape that you buy in a roll at a drug store or pharmacy.

[Dave Gallon]

The attached pictures are of a very original grill from a 1970 14,000 mile 280SL belonging to Forum member Larry Goldstein. You can clearly see the character of the tape used in 1970. It is, of course, quite reasonable to assume the nature of the tape changed between the production of Alfred's 230SL and this 280SL. You can also see traces of the glue which formerly help the felt strip (Larry removed the felt). Hope this helps clarify these points.

[hkollan]

A very good modern substitute is water proof bandage tape that you buy in a roll at a drug store or pharmacy

That's a great tip Alfred. I've been looking for a good substitute tape without luck. Bandage tape would be very similar to the original cloth tape used by MB on several locations on our cars.

[mdsalemi]

That's a great tip Alfred. I've been looking for a good substitute tape without luck. Bandage tape would be very similar to the original cloth tape used by MB on several locations on our cars.

These kinds of issues come up periodically.  Here's a good reference to file:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3M-SpecialtyTapes/SpcltyTape/

3M makes acetate cloth [electrical] tape; fiberglass cloth tape, among many other industrial tapes--including the medical tape referenced.  There are tapes for insulating, for vibration damping, and anything else you can think of.  They also have a direct sales line.  Poke around their website and see what you need!  

[RickM]

Just thinking out loud...

IMHO, one should be careful with certain medical tapes as they absorb and hold water. Also, the exterior of various waterproof medical tapes are abrasive and/or glossy in appearance.

[Witt]

Really? It lasted very well for +40 years until you touched it, didn't it? 

The original  "masking tape" was a cotton-based cloth tape. A very good modern substitute is water proof bandage tape that you buy in a roll at a drug store or pharmacy.

..........AHA, so it was the PO that installed the flimsy garden variety masking tape, I should have known better....

CHEERS !
WITT !

[scoot]

So, quantity one of 000 983 12 92 is a piece of felt about 2 x 995 x 1000mm. The current list is $67.00, my price $49.22. If anybody wants enough to cut two pieces 2 x 15 x 50 mm, I will cut the roll so get in touch.

...doesn't this belong in the commercial forum area...