Author Topic: Replica "original' firewall pads (Read 76800 times)

66andBlue · « **Reply #25 on:** May 24, 2011, 17:05:02 »

The pad sold by worlduph is the current 4th version replacement material that is sold by a number of vendors and I believe also by MB.
As far as I know the original pad was never reproduced - but a member here (TOM230SL) once found an old role and offered enough material for one car for $3,000 and also sold it on eBay, that is, enough material for the firewall not including material under rubber mat on the floor panel.
Read up on the discussion here: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=4506

The "original" pad on a 230SL is actually different from the diamond patterned "original" pad that one can see in later cars, they were made by different processes:

labella · « **Reply #26 on:** May 26, 2011, 00:42:46 »

I would take 2 and if the pattern is best to date I would take 20 more.
Best regards,
Tony LaBella

hkollan · « **Reply #27 on:** May 26, 2011, 05:30:03 »

I would take 3 LHD firewall pads.

Garry · « **Reply #28 on:** May 27, 2011, 08:09:22 »

Andy,

Went to my upholsters with the photos from Alfred and discussed getting the material. He showed me how they had remanufactured a replica for a locally manufactured Holden here from the 60's using an agent in Malaysia and got a perfect replica and that he would like to have a go at seeing if they could replicate the Mercedes item. He indicated that he would like a small piece to use as a sample.

Is that possible and I will follow up on the potential source for the material.

Garry

Drewtee · « **Reply #29 on:** May 27, 2011, 18:11:32 »

How big a 'small Piece' will he need, an inch squared? - the smaller the better!

By the way, this is a great picture of the 280sl firewall showing the texture and depth of the waffle pattern. I'm sure Brian at MI doesn't mind.

Garry · « **Reply #30 on:** May 27, 2011, 22:16:43 »

Andy

Inch square is fine, sent a PM off line

Garry

thelews · « **Reply #31 on:** May 27, 2011, 23:34:55 »

Here's an original 250 SL (1543) firewall pad

Garry · « **Reply #32 on:** May 27, 2011, 23:53:49 »

Alfred,

Can you send me a high definition of the top photo that you posted. Is that showing the earlier and later pattern on the material for the pad?
Garry

66andBlue · « **Reply #33 on:** May 28, 2011, 00:42:50 »

Garry,
can't do since all I did was re-posting these photos from an old post by TOM230SL.
However, it should not be too difficult to find a piece of the material in Joe's graveyard during PUB since it was used in the foot wells of other cars.

thelews · « **Reply #34 on:** May 28, 2011, 01:56:48 »

Quote from: 66andBlue on May 28, 2011, 00:42:50

However, it should not be too difficult to find a piece of the material in Joe's graveyard during PUB since it was used in the foot wells of other cars.

Sure was.

Garry · « **Reply #35 on:** May 28, 2011, 02:58:09 »

Very good point Alfred, but I would like to get it on the move before then so I will try to get the piece from Andy and get the upholsterer to start the process of sourcing/manufacture trial pieces.

what we can do is see if there is a difference from the 230 to the 250 and 280

Garry

Tomnistuff · « **Reply #36 on:** May 28, 2011, 03:23:39 »

Here is a photo that I took this afternoon of my 1967 Italian 230SL (11304210017590). The pad has not been touched since I bought the car used in 1987. The pad was in the same shape then - bad! I photographed the only reasonably intact area.
I don't know if it's original, but I suspect yes.
The small squares are actually recessed although the lighting makes them look raised.
Tom Kizer

George Des · « **Reply #37 on:** May 28, 2011, 13:10:26 »

I have a photo of my 1967 230sl firewall pad before I replaced it years ago. I will dig it up and send along. My pad was not in bad shape as I recall but back when i replaced it I was not all that concerned about it looking original. I've changed my mind on that over the years and would really like to have an original looking pad if the replicas are made.

George

Garry · « **Reply #38 on:** May 29, 2011, 00:22:06 »

Thanks all for photos, I think we have enough photos now,

The next step is to get the sample that Andy is sending me to the Upholsterers and see if it can be replicated. As I said to Andy, the difficulty that I can see is not replicating the pattern but getting the material correct and the thickness correct.

As soon as I have the sample, I will pass it to my guy and he is going to seek to have a sample produced out of Malaysia.

It may take a bit of time given that bits are floating around the world but hopefully something will come of it. I would hope pricing would be competitive with existing firewall pads. The correctness is the important thing.

Meanwhile I think we should still confirm numbers that would be interested. Like George, I think there are a lot of us that put in the replacement as it was the only item available but with time it would be nice to get a more original looking item in place

Garry

69280sl · « **Reply #39 on:** May 29, 2011, 04:46:29 »

Garry: Since your looking for numbers of interested, consider me down for one.

Gus

nikopu · « **Reply #40 on:** May 29, 2011, 05:52:35 »

+1

Cheers,Niko

jszeman1 · « **Reply #41 on:** May 29, 2011, 13:52:51 »

You might consider when manufacturing these pads that you do not make the cut out for the heater core valve on the fire wall since the early cars did not have the access plate to change the "O" ring.

114015 · « **Reply #42 on:** May 30, 2011, 13:33:21 »

Hello Garry,

Great idea, thanks a lot for your effort and input here!

I'd recommend to repro the pattern that the 280 SL has since that one seems to be the most frequent pattern used for all pagodas.
I know that very early 230ies had a totally different pattern...

Nevertheless, count me in for two (at least); however, I prefer to get the material by the square meter, not the pre-cut pads.

By the way, the same material was also used under the dash - as John (TheLews) already indicated.

Best,
Achim

66andBlue · « **Reply #43 on:** May 30, 2011, 17:17:47 »

Quote from: 114015 on May 30, 2011, 13:33:21

... I know that very early 230ies had a totally different pattern... ..

Hi Achim,
can you post a photo so we can see the difference please?
I thought TOM230SL restored an early 230SL and that is what is shown in his photo that I posted again.

114015 · « **Reply #44 on:** May 30, 2011, 18:57:59 »

Quote

can you post a photo so we can see the difference please?
I thought TOM230SL restored an early 230SL and that is what is shown in his photo that I posted again.

Hello Alfred,

Don't know anymore about what TOM230 or so had ... that's too long ago.

I remember well there was one individual a couple of years back who had a roll of what was supposed to be the original firewall insulation mat, which he was very proud of and which he finally sold for a good amount of money on ebay....

but I don't remember whether that was TOM or someone else.

I have a pic of someone's car, but I am not sure whether I may publish it; I had trouble with this before, so I am a bit carefull. $:-\$ I cropped the picture to the essential area, hope that is useful for the very few early-VIN aficionados here (and does not infringe copy rights...).

This is from - what I think - a "pretty damn much untouched" - 1963 230 with a VIN slightly below 500.

Although the pic is poor it can be seen that the grain of the pad is totally different. It looks almost like a fine tar-like surface or the one of gyymnastics mats ... don't know a better description for that.

I doubt someone is ever willing to reproduce "that" one. So, Daryl and I have to look further .... :'( :'(

Achim

George Des · « **Reply #45 on:** May 31, 2011, 12:18:49 »

My bet would be that a lot of restorers would want to use the bulk material to do the underdash areas as well. The firewall pad I replaced mine with came in bulk as well and I used it to do the footwell areas. The material has the fiber backing not the foam as I have read some people have. The material is neat and clean and has the pebble finish and is completely functional but in my opinion, the diamond pattern material just looks so much better, It appears as though the demand is there and this can't be that hard to do, afterall, all we are talking about, I think, is recreating the diamond pattern on the top layer of the pad, so hopefully the Malaysia thing will come to fruition. Let's hope!

George

Garry · « **Reply #46 on:** May 31, 2011, 13:00:06 »

I agree George,

If it is good, then there should be availability of the pads, LH and RH and extra material for those that want it.

That would be my intent if the source of the material is good.

Garry

Peter h · « **Reply #47 on:** May 31, 2011, 15:24:41 »

Hallo

here some photos from under the dash
I clean them last year und put them back

I need a new firewall patt too for my 280sl, the original one are gone

Peter

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #48 on:** May 31, 2011, 17:48:07 »

Why would you want to make your own under dash panels when they're already available as reproduction pieces?
The under dash panels are made from a different material than ( not then ) the firewall pads anyway.

Drewtee · « **Reply #49 on:** May 31, 2011, 17:49:19 »

Garry,

sample has been removed and posted to you today so you should get it in about 5 days.

Here's a photo of the edge so you can see the thickness as well as the foam backing.

With the sample i have sent, the material seems slighty more brittle than the identical firewall in another car which is more rubbery. I suppose it depends how the car has been stored over the years and in what climate.

Is the foam backing important? i'm not sure but the pattern is the key

News:

Poll

I prefer to buy a pre-cut firewall pad with a close match to the original diamond pattern with:

Author Topic: Replica "original' firewall pads (Read 76800 times)

George Des

nikopu

George Des