hub cap refresh

[paulr]

Hi

does anyone in the UK know where I might get my 280 hubcap edges re polished to soften or even remove kerb grazing ?

[Markbhai]

Oh dear...

Mine were also in need of work and I found the only option to be re chroming. I used Ashford chroming in Kent but you can use anyone. Do the job over winter as good chromers take weeks.

When they come back you will then need to get the, repainted.

I paid £300 for chrome work (including rims on my 230) and about £200 for re painting.

M

[Khurram Darugar]

500 smackers ......... Gulp

[Russell]

when they re chromed them did they get the dents out then ?

[stickandrudderman]

These trims were never chrome to start with, they're polished stainless. You're better off trying to find some on ebay as they were fitted to all mercs from late 1960 right up until 1985.
So, 123, 113, 107, 116, 114, 126 etc all have them. The 201 was the first car not to have them.

[Russell]

These trims were never chrome to start with, they're polished stainless. You're better off trying to find some on ebay as they were fitted to all mercs from late 1960 right up until 1985.
So, 123, 113, 107, 116, 114, 126 etc all have them. The 201 was the first car not to have them.

ah ok thanks, i have looked on ebay and you do see some sets that have been refurbished by re chroming them and chroming the rings as well.
are the rings polished stainless as well then ?
anyone know a reputable source for them all ?
my hub caps are pretty rough and the rings missing altogether

[mdsalemi]

OK, this started out with PaulR asking about 280SL hubcaps.  To the best of my knowledge:

Early/original 14" one piece wheel covers (wasn't it only 230/250 that had two-piece?) were chrome plated steel.
Later and or new OEM are highly polished stainless steel.

I don't think they are available any longer; I think MB had a batch made some years ago, and these have been sold out.  Since this 14" model appeared on many cars, my guess is eventually they'll make more?

I believe there are some reproductions floating around out there, new...check all the usual suppliers.

I think it would be very costly indeed to repair severely scraped up covers.  Any imperfection in a high-gloss chrome plate will look dreadful.  Perhaps a master metal worker can do it, but his is going to cost a lot of money, because you are paying for skill and time...better have it perfect prior to re-plating.

Personally, I'd go with what is available, pay to have them buffed/polished to a super finish, and repaint. Forget the old ones.

[stickandrudderman]

Indeed, the OP was asking about single piece wheel trims as I've described. The early two-peice trims are a different matter and were chrome-plated.

[Russell]

sorry didnt realise i effectively confusing a post. i can see how.

the hubcabs on my 230 are certainly two piece but as i am missing one item, the rings, i cant tell what they are made from and if i was a guessing man i would say that the hubcaps i have are polished stainless as they dont look chrome to me

i want to go with original so i am led to now believe that i should buy chromed steel rings and hubcaps for a 230 ?

[stickandrudderman]

Search this forum. There's plenty of info about the chrome rings.

[Garry]

Russell,

Hub ca and trim ring for 230SL.

Note that the wheel should be body colour and the hub cap should be hard top colour.

Getting original trim rings is near impossible.  I purchased some said to be correct from SLS.  They don't fit well at all. I purchased some generic 14" ones on eBay for $40 and I cannot tell them on the wheel apart other than the generic ones fit much better. Go figure

Garry

[Russell]

ah ok thanks garry .
has anyone got any experience of buying something from somewhere in europe that fits and looks right i wonder. ?
i am still trying to work out if they should be stainless or chromed steel.

[stickandrudderman]

The early two-peice trims are a different matter and were chrome-plated.

[Garry]

Here is a typical advert on eBay Australia.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Premium-Chrome-Wheel-Band-Trim-Ring-14-SET-OF-4/121118654696?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D8065774960056658966%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D121118654696%26

I suggest trying eBay UK.

Garry

[Russell]

ah thank you, off shopping now

[paulr]

Thanks everyone, of course you all astound me with your thoughts. Mine are the polished stainless and fit well. I have some spares and will get the loybloc* out.

* a gritty rubber bloc for polishing ally engine bits. Favoured by bikers.