paint under the hood

[Flyair]

I am in the process of restoring my 1971 Pagoda. When it came to renovate the hood, my restorer asked me whether the bottom of the hood should be painted in mat black (as it was when I bought it) or should it be like the body color - just not glossy but mat.

I tried to research the forum and Tech Manual, but was unable to find an answer.

Is it like with wheels covers, that until 1970 were painted in the body color, and for the final year they were uniformly black regardless of the body paint??? 

[Garry]

Body color is correct and gloss.

I think there is some comments here but I have not looked

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/ChassisBody/Paint

Garry

[Iconic]

You got your answer for under the hood paint. You can always ask for a few runs in the paint to make it look like the original, if you are into that.

Is it like with wheels covers, that until 1970 were painted in the body color, and for the final year they were uniformly black regardless of the body paint??? 

Regarding your comment on the wheel covers. I've never heard of black wheel covers on the latest cars. Is it true? (unless, of course, the roof is black.  )

[Flyair]

  I meant wheels, not hubcaps.

However, I am still not sure about the underhood… black or body color (glossy)  I see both on pics...

[49er]

Body color, glossy and lots of paint runs:-)

John

[Hans2012]

Stan

I suggest that you have a look at Brian Peters' website - www.motoringinvestments.com - as he has posted thousands of photos showing original cars as well as restored examples. 

Good luck with your ongoing project.

Regards
John

[Neil Thompson]

Stan, John (49er) will know as he is the only owner of his car. Attached are a few photos of an American spec 230 I took at Essen earlier this year showing the detail you have asked for. The car was described as original, I think it was very close - but there are those on this forum who may correct me?

Neil

[KevinC]

Under the hood AND engine compartment...Always the same paint as the exterior. In the trunk and under the decklid...always satin black. No matter what variation (230, 250, 280) no matter what year.

[49er]

I guess I should add that the paint (engine compartment and underside of hood/bonnet) is not a super high gloss polished finish as the exterior. Also there was lots of hand touch up with a brush in the engine compartment and around the edge of the hood and that paint has yellowed somewhat over the years.

John

[Garry]

The satin black Kevin refers to in the trunk/boot is in fact a dark grey.

Quote from the tech manual

"The trunk of M-B´s in the 60's (like W113) is actually not black, but a very dark gray. 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 deep dark gray. It is semi-gloss."

That white bonnet/hood in the pictures has more runs that the the Australian Cricket Team  Not seen one that bad before.

[Neil Thompson]

The under seal was very heavily applied too Garry, see the wheelarches for example.

Neil

[49er]

The under seal was very heavily applied too Garry, see the wheelarches for example.

Neil

I noticed that as well. If the car pictured is actually original, MB must have improved the undercoating process by the time the 280s were being produced. Here is photo of mine.

John

Sorry to HiJack your thread flyair

[KevinC]

The satin black Kevin refers to in the trunk/boot is in fact a dark grey.

Quote from the tech manual

"The trunk of M-B´s in the 60's (like W113) is actually not black, but a very dark gray. 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 deep dark gray. It is semi-gloss."

Absolutely Garry...have no idea why I said 'black"!

[Flyair]

I am pleased to have asked that question as this seems to have clarified not only my doubts, but also settled the point regarding black versus dark grey
but seriously, many thanks for advices and pictures. all of them are very useful.
I will have mine done this week and post pictures to have your opinions….

[Garry]

I suggest that you don't put as many paint runs in as per the lower photos, it does not look right and I would be surprised if it was original along with the under body coating

[Flyair]

Garry, funny you mentioned that.looking at the pic, I had the same impression.  . At some points I will prepare a short story of the renovation with pics and comments… then we will be able to compare. Besides, I hope to be able to drive the car for the European get together in August...

[KevinC]

I will prepare a short story of the renovation with pics and comments

Stan...both willl be great to see.

As an aside, my hood does show the paint runs on the underside. Thought I read that it was because the hood was dipped in paint as opposed to sprayed but I am not certain.

[Garry]

Kevin,

Can you give us a photo of the underside, I am curious as to how much run you have. I don't think John's (49er) car has it to that degree and is a known genuine original.

Garry

[KevinC]

Garry, Just tried to take a pic but the camera doesnt show them well at any angle. Still they are there. Its dark outside here now (5pm). Will try to see what I can get in natural light tomorrow. If I had to compare to the runs that Neil's camera caught at Essen, I would say about half as many. In other words if those would be represented as l l l l l l mine would look like l   l   l   l   

Kevin

[49er]

 I have the same problem trying to get the light just right but here is the best of the litter. Lots of runs and a fair amount of grit as as well. Mercedes painters were definitely more interested on what the exterior paint looked like:-)

John

[Neil Thompson]

Stan, John (49er) will know as he is the only owner of his car. Attached are a few photos of an American spec 230 I took at Essen earlier this year showing the detail you have asked for. The car was described as original, I think it was very close - but there are those on this forum who may correct me?

Neil

Garry, kevin and all, attached are some more photos of the Essen car, it may be reproduced details, I don't know as well as some of you guys but I think a good effort if so - especially as I read often that all the application techniques change with the painter and how he felt on the day. The final photo is taken looking up under the front wing (sorry "fender") at the strengthener running front to back, this looked in very good order with the corresponding spot welds in the engine bay evident.

Neil

[Neil Thompson]

John, you posted just as I did so sorry I'm coming in late again.

Guys, correct me (again) if i'm wrong, but John's under hood photo isn't so dissimilar to the one I earlier posted, is it?

Neil

[Garry]

I agree Neil,

I might take back my comment on seeing Johns car in the side light. That is probably a better indication of originality than the headlight notches and weld spots that are easily reproduced but that sort of run would be quite difficult to get right, or wrong maybe is a better way of putting it.

[KevinC]

My under-hood looks like John's without the grit.

[KevinC]

...John's under hood photo isn't so dissimilar to the one I earlier posted...

I agree.