Door sill trims

[Brenco]

Here is a question about the door sill trims on either side of the ribbed inlays. Just wondering what they are made of? Also are they chromed or polished metal?  I am looking into refurbishing them and trying to figure out what type of specialist to use. Mine is a 1969. US spec 280 sl in case model is relevant. Thanks in advance. B

[Pawel66]

Aluminum? If so, get a new set:
https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-230-280sl-w113-68rockerpanel-and-trim-c-3_135

[Garry]

Ther are aluminium and polish up.  If you try to purchase new ones, there is a problem if you are not in the same country that they come from so that they can be sent vis trucking, then using air mail postage and their length that exceeds a standard size and make the cost to post very expensive.

[Brenco]

I might try and get them refurbished or at least get a price on the job and compare it to the SLS price 400euro plus shipping for new trims. Thanks for clarification Pawel and Garry I had thought they were aluminium.

[Pawel66]

If it is just polishing, it may work, but if they were bent....

Maybe e.g. the SL shop sells them. Or MB - sometimes these things are not so expensive there.

[Brenco]

I’ll check out MB and a few other suppliers. Thanks again Pawel

[Pawel66]

I checked MB:
A 113 686 01 36
A 113 686 02 36

and

A 113 686 03 36
A 113 686 04 36

Will be around EUR 750 (no VAT, check prices in your place), but no shipment cost and bending risk.

Also: check out Niemoeller. I the SL shop I think they are more expensive vs. SLS/Niemoeller.

[Brenco]

More expensive than I thought then!! What a surprise 🤪. I will check the other suppliers too. I agree about the risk of damage in transit though. Thanks again Pawel.

[Benz Dr.]

They're soft aluminum and are anodized. It's kind of like chrome plating but much thinner so it can bend and not flake off the metal underneath.  Not repairable if they're dented and scratched up. The best method is to buy new ones - repro is available for modest savings.

[Garry]

I had dented ones that i gave to an old time chromer who fixed them and re polished them.  The cost was a whole lot cheaper than buying new ones with the shipping cost due to length being the killer.


Garry

[Pawel66]

I think you were lucky. I think "old time chromers" are in short supply...

[Garry]

Agree Pawel, most chromers will reject anything with dents and wont go to the effort of repairing. There is a good one that does a lot of hot rod gear near where I live, only problem it can take months to get the items back.

[Pinder]

They are aluminium and can be polished. (this will remove the anodized finish).  It is possible to remove most kinks and minor dents. It takes a lot of time. I started one. as shown in picture. It is not perfect but it looked like the one on the right. It had old paint on it, several dents and lots of scratches. It looks a lot better now. (see picture).

[cfm65@me.com]

Well done, Pinder.
Regards
Chris