Underside of a 280sl

[hauser]

I would avoid cosmolene.  It's a sticky mess that only attracts dirt.

[Dave H]

Hi Hauser

I will experiment with a few differant types of protectant.
I want it to work and look the way MB intended.
I thought, and i hope ,that the cosmolene looks "beer coloured" and sets hard ?
When the car is finished i intend to get as much use out of it as possible on tours etc without worrying about the rain and stuff.

How is your car coming along
Did you go for the light interior ?
I would love to see some pictures of your progress ...
Yours really is a beautifull car.

work commitments are getting in the way of putting mine back together.
hopefully work will tail off a bit next year and i can commit a couple of months to finishing it off.

[hauser]

My car is still in man many pieces.  It's a slow process when you have to deal with subcontractors.  Gernold is great!  He has kept me up on every aspect throughout the entire job.  At the moment the car is at the painters.  The underside was cleaned and new Wurth undercoating applied.  The painter will do the inside the fender, engine bay and underside in body color.  It will look fantastic once done.

My car has been gone now for over 14 months.  The first month was the worst! It's gotten easier since then.

Engine back from Metric with enhancements.

Interior has arrived from GAHH

Axels front and rear should be near completion

Driveshaft back from balancing and cosmetic restoration

Updates to my Getrag 5 spd box

Recored extra row radiator done

New SS exahaust

You get the idea.

[hauser]

Here's a recent photo I posted on its way to the painters.

[Iconic]

On the rockers I recently heard that early cars were gray and later cars black.

hauser,
Please tell us where you heard that.
Based on what I have read on this forum, I believed all rockers to be dark grey.
Please note, due to the rockers' location, dark grey will look black. But, if lit properly and compared to a black item, they look dark grey.... on original, never re-painted rocker cars. At least, that is what I understand. 
Also note that on Motoring Investment, the last time I looked, it is stated that all rockers are black. Of course this contradicts what I believe, but I still believe all rockers were dark grey from the factory.

BTW, is your car on the way to the paint shop, or on the way back from the paint shop?  It looks like it is on its way back FROM the paint shop. What a fantastic color combination.

[hauser]

According to Gernold early rockers are dark gray and later are black.

There is no combo.  The hardtop belongs to Gernold and is on the car for transportation purposes only.

[Iconic]

I believe Gernold and I met at an MB Tech session at Blackforest in the Milwaukee, WI area a few (or more) years ago.
If I am thinking of the right guy, I asked him that same question about rocker colors ... I didn't like his answer then either. 
I would like to know why he thinks that.
Is he on this forum?
Anyway, there are some posts on this forum and maybe other information out there.
I know Gernold and Motoring Investments are highly respected, but everyone can decide for themselves in the absense of hard facts (facts like paint specifications and/or assembly processes with materials listed).

I recently had my rockers painted dark grey and they can be seen on my car at the PUB 2015.
I bet you that they look black to most people. 

[49er]

Seems like we have been around the block a few times on this topic (rocker color) over the years. Mine haven't changed, still a very, very dark grey

John

[Iconic]

Thanks John !! And yours is a 280 SL !
I did not mean to hijack this thread.
It is only a partial hijack because the rockers are part of the underside.

[hauser]

Gernold painted my rocker covers black.  If he says they are supposed to be black then black it is!

[Garry]

I am with Mark on this one.  I have seen no factual evidence that MB did any in Black unless it was some very late 280SL’s.

 There is certainly a colour number and name for the dark grey put out by MB but none for black.  It can be ordered via Mercedes dealerships. Ordering code is 000 986 67 33 - 7164. The "000 986 67 33" is the part number of a one component (not catalized) paint sold by MBAG, and the "7164" is the color code for this dark gray.

[hauser]

I guess you guys should open up your own restoration shop!

Good luck with that!

[Iconic]

What do you think Garry, should we?
Oh, wait a second, you don't need me, you already have a restoration shop (at least you restore enough vehicles, that is). 
Thanks for the support.

Hauser, Before you paint the rockers, you should read the posts or talk to 49er. He's got a very original car. I'm sure you have read about it. It is amazing.... with dark grey rockers. It would be a real shame if you had the wrong color rockers on that beautifully restored car.

Common guys/gals: If you have original paint on your rockers, take a good light, and something that is known to be black, hold it up to the rockers in good light and tell me: What do you see? Black or Dark Grey.
I love this subject !!