Author Topic: chrome fender trim  (Read 15739 times)

TerenceD

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chrome fender trim
« on: July 14, 2005, 07:08:00 »
Unfortunately my garage is a little tight at the moment, and when I was taking my car out of the garage I managed to scrape the right rear wheel well lip pretty badly.  No dent thankfully, but the paint was taken off.

I have seen some chrome fender mouldings that fit on the wheel well.  I purchased some to cover up my mistake (have not received them yet), but my question is;

1. are these original Mercedes options, or were they aftermarket period accessories ?
2. are they considered a good idea to put them on ? I would like to keep my car as original as possible.  I am not terribly keen on their appearance, but it looks better than a scraped fender, and it is a whole lot cheaper than a repaint.

Thanks,
Terence
Quebec, Canada

Douglas

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2005, 07:17:54 »
1. Aftermarket, not OEM.
2. I'd say they raise questions -- I've heard many people say their presence on a car makes them wonder what's underneath the trim.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

TerenceD

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2005, 07:25:54 »
My thought exactly - any recommendations - would the members here think that it is better that I put the chrome fender trim to cover up my mistake, or repaint the car.  A localized paint job is not the best option, as the existing paint on the car, while presentable, is not excellent, despite the the appearance of the car in pictures (see my post in the photo gallery).  Several people have already commented on the quality of the paint job, but it does not impress me.  

In my mind, my options are to cover my mistake up, or repaint the whole car.

Any thoughts ?

erickmarciano

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2005, 07:29:35 »
where in Quebec are you?

1971 280sl
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TerenceD

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2005, 07:34:47 »
I am located in St. Jacques-de-Montcalm, Quebec, about an hours drive NE of Montreal, between St. Esprit and Joliette.

Terence Dittman
1970 280sl
1969 300 SEL 6.3
1985 Innocenti DeTomaso Turbo
1985 Innocenti DeTomaso Turbo

TerenceD

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2005, 07:36:52 »
Erick,

I saw a silver 280Sl driving near the bus station about two weeks ago.  Is that yours by any chance ?

Cees Klumper

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #6 on: July 14, 2005, 15:04:15 »
I would have that fender repainted. Remember you should protect the inflicted area before you could put on the fender chrome anyhow, to prevent rust from forming. Personally, I do not care for the look of the chrome trim, but that is personal.
Here in Amsterdam, I could have a fender repainted very good quality, for about $200 at the most. Just have to go to the right place that's all. I imagine it would be pretty much the same where you are.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
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erickmarciano

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2005, 21:17:24 »
no mine is white email me when in town
Erick

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa
1994 E500 W124
1971 280sl
1989 Porsche 930 coupe
1988 e30 m3
2001 ducati mh900
2006 ps1000
1962 Vespa GS160

Nate

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2007, 18:11:41 »
I'm considering purchasing a 280SL that has the aftermarket chrome fender trim added.  What's involved to remove the trim?  Would adding the fender trim require drilling or adhesive?  I'd like to know what I'm getting into once the trim comes off.  I don't want a situation where I remove the fender trim and then end up having to respray all 4 fenders or the entire car.  Thanks!
1971 280SL
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n/a

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2007, 14:16:18 »
I agree with Douglas.  The chrome fender mouldings make me think there is some damage or worse still rust hiding under the moldings.  Not only that but imho they are just ugly.  Have the fender repaired and repainted.  

Good luck

Iveson

mdsalemi

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #10 on: January 03, 2007, 15:40:24 »
Well since we're talking opinions here, chrome fender trim does seem to be one of those things that some people like.  They also like gold plating all the insignias, too.  I've seen all that on them there Mur-Say-Deez cars.  Maybe "landau bars" on the rear pillar?  Pebble-grain vinyl on the hardtop?

...anyway I don't seem to ask the question of what's underneath; when I see them I typically wonder how many episodes of MTV's "Pimp My Ride" have been watched! ;)   Personally I think there is plenty of chrome (don't make me bring out those replating invoices!)on these cars and I certainly don't need to add any more!  But that's just me.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
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Restored
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waltklatt

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2007, 16:21:23 »
Terence,
I would give it a try to fix the paint on the wheel arch.  
Covering it up will trap moisture and allow it to develop into some beautiful rust blooms.  The chrome trim comes with a black plastic seperator between the paint and the chrome and it traps moisture.  
Just mask off the entire wheel arch and sand down lightly till smooth.  Then put several good coats of primer on it.  Then paint it with a matching paint, several coats, very light coats to build up the surface.  You can rub down with steel wool and clean with a tack free rag between coats.  Final coat is spray on only no rubbing.  
I'm sure there are other procedures to fix the paint.
You can blend in the new and old paint with some practice.  
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

TerenceD

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2007, 16:31:02 »
Dan, at the Benz Barn, touched it up for me.  Its not perfect (and it is impossible to blend a touch up in perfectly) but it is a very good job and I am happy.

I never did install the chrome fender trim.  When I received it, I realized that you have to drill holes in your fender to secure them, and I was not willing to do that.  Also, upon reflection, it would be too much chrome on my car, and they are not factory original.

Happy New Year to All.

1970 280sl
1969 300SEL 6.3
1985 Innocenti DeTomaso Turbo (and 1984 parts car)

rwmastel

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2007, 10:42:06 »
quote:
Originally posted by nate

I'm considering purchasing a 280SL that has the aftermarket chrome fender trim added.  What's involved to remove the trim?  Would adding the fender trim require drilling or adhesive?  I'd like to know what I'm getting into once the trim comes off.  I don't want a situation where I remove the fender trim and then end up having to respray all 4 fenders or the entire car.  Thanks!

Nate,

Hi.  I notice that you picked up this thread from 18 months ago.  I don't know if the others realize that.  I don't know what's invovled with removing the trim, or if you'll have holes in the metal.  Anyone....?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
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wspeer

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2008, 19:32:40 »
my 70 280 sl has the fender trim and has "garish" body trim on the build sheets. is this what "garish" body trim is?

peterm

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #15 on: August 21, 2008, 19:36:50 »
garish trim I believe is the strips of chrome on the hardtop

hauser

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #16 on: August 21, 2008, 20:22:46 »
The German Classic Center has these on their Pagoda that's on display.

69280sl

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #17 on: August 22, 2008, 08:54:34 »

Could it be "garnish"?

Gus
68 280sl
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scoot

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #18 on: August 22, 2008, 09:33:52 »
quote:
Originally posted by peterm

garish trim I believe is the strips of chrome on the hardtop

Garnish trim seems to be the description that MB / EPC uses for just about every piece of chrome trim regardless of where it is installed.
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

thelews

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #19 on: August 22, 2008, 09:33:55 »
quote:
Originally posted by 69280sl


Could it be "garnish"?

Gus
68 280sl



I think garnish is correct for the chrome on the top, but garish would probably be correct for the lip mouldings. [:p]
Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
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Longtooth

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Re: chrome fender trim
« Reply #20 on: October 05, 2008, 00:56:17 »
Terence, same thing happened to my driver's side rear fender lip... chipped/scrapped a bit of paint off backing into garage.... dumbo inattention on my part.  

If originality's important, don't put on the chrome garnish on the fender(s)... they were somebody's idea of an aftermarket glitz.... MB's weren't produced with them, nor was there an MB option for them on the W113's.

By the way, if a car is entered in a show (MB or classic car show), the fender garnish is an "authenticity" deduction (50% of points), vs the paint scratch/removal a "condition" deduction (25% of points).. so from that viewpoint, whether ever considering having car judged or not, it gives you the perspective of which is more important to MB enthusiasts who value originality.  Of course, if you're trying to sell the car, an unsuspecting buyer would love the glitzed up fenders, and hate the paint damage, so you could perhaps get a better price with the glitzed up fenders.
 
I'm going to have my damage painted/blended when I get around to it... but in the meantime, the MB crowd of enthusiasts I meet have only remark about the damaged paint on the fender in idle passing, if they even see it... other parts of the car's paint, chrome, interior, engine compartment overwhelming the minor paint damage.  However, while I say that, thelew's red 250SL is in such beautiful condition in every respect that any paint damage anywhere, especially on the fenders would stand out like a sore thumb.