Opinions wanted

[J. Huber]

And I am sure I came to the right place! Ok, here's the deal. My 230SL is white. I have the two-piece wheel covers. Center is blue and matches tops. Over time I have learned my rims should be body color (white). They are black -- I painted them a long time ago because I thought that with the trim off the car looked pretty cool with black rims, like a rally car...but I digress.

I also think the black looks ok, as it is in keeping with the blue & black combos of the interior (blue MBtex but black horn pad, cranks, dash panels...) YET, after seeing those recent vintage factory pictures, I wonder if I should get back to original white? For what its worth, mine is a driver through and through.

To make it interesting lets put it this way: should I spend time and money to repaint them white OR use that amount to buy a hard-top hoist?



James
63 230SL

[saygold]

I also have a white 230SL (papyrus white) with a dark blue top.  My rims are white, so I would have to vote for painting yours the same color.   I’m glad to hear about the blue center on the hubcaps.  I have full hubcaps, but the center is dark blue as well.

I have a manual hard-top hoist that I installed but have never used.  I was concerned about the hooks slipping and letting the top fall down on the car.  I’ve read many of the topics here, but have still been hesitant to use it.  I’ll be interested to read responses from the other members.

Ken
'66 230SL      

[Chad]

Was white with blue hardtop a common color combo for these cars??

-CD-
1967 230SL, 113.042 10

[J. Huber]

Hi Chad. Not sure how common but I have seen it from time to time. I always liked the combo (partly because I am a Dodger fan!)

Ken, do you have any pictures of your car handy? My official colors are 717 (papyrus weiss) 332 (hardtop) and 723 (softtop). Interior is 115 (MBtex blue). However, when I had my car painted, it may have ended up a shade whiter than 717. Whatever it is, I like it.

James
63 230SL

[Naj ✝︎]

quote:should I spend time and money to repaint them white OR use that amount to buy a hard-top hoist?

Have your cake........
Buy the hoist and a few rattle cans of white. [:p]

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[Douglas]

I think one of the joys of owning these cars are their quirky details like body color wheels and contrasting hubcaps. I'd return it to stock. It's a cheap and easy change.

[J. Huber]

Good points all. As to how cheap and easy -- I suppose I have two options. To mask them off and "rattle a few cans" or remove the tires and have them powdercoated! That cake is sounding pretty good right about now...

James
63 230SL

[Bob G ✝︎]

James:
Just go and do what I did on my Toyota truck. I went out and purchased paint remover than a wheel mask from Eastwood. Purchased a can of sealer primer which I used after through washing the wheel and drying. Let dry for one day. Go to the autopaint supplier have him make you up the paint in aerosaol in basecoat and another in clear coat. The paint is good for at least 24 hours before curing in the can. Set your wheels up front only and shoot about 2coates each let tack dry for 30 minutes and then shoot the clear coat and wait for a  couple of days .
Whala white wheels finish with a coat of Zymol wax and your favirote drink.
Bob Geco

[rob walker]

James, I posted several pictures of my 717 Papyrus white car on the photo section if you want some close up large files let me know and I can send you via email.
As for the hardtop hoist, I think once you have removed a few times it is not that difficult with 2 people and I would be concerned about using the hoist on my own so don't think I would benefit. The best thing I bought was the stand and free cover about $130 from SLS, which allows the top to be stored safely and moved around with absolute ease.
Interesting question is how often during a year does one take off and put back on the hardtop?
For me probably once per year max.

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Rob Walker

1968 280SL papyrus white/green leather
2004 230 SLK silver

[hauser]

It it's just a matter of opinion... I like the black.  It really makes the chrome stand out and gives the wheel sort of a deep dish look to it.  More depth.  If we're stricly going for correctness then the wheel should be painted body color.  Seeing that this is a "driver" just do what makes you happy.  If this is really an issue do one side of the car and then compare the two and pick the one you like best.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[hands_aus]

I suggest you paint your spare wheel body colour then mount it and compare the different combinations.
Choose the one you like best with the least work.
Anyway it is probable that your spare wheel rim could do with a fresh coat of paint.


Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Ben]

Hey James, the white bodycoloured wheels look best !

I will be returning mine to that combo next year once the car is painted !

Two things, it IS easy to do as the lads suggest and aerosol the wheels as you can getr a very good finish here, good enough for the mount of the wheel you actually see when the centre acp and beauty rings are on ! However for a daily car I found the build up of brake dust unbearable and its not that easy to clean them quickly ! JMHO !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[J. Huber]

Thanks all. Hauser, you make a very good point about black giving it a deeper effect. And just when I was convinced to go white. Still leaning that way... As a few have suggested, I may try one and see how it looks.

James
63 230SL

[saygold]

Well, since you asked ...

[saygold]

Oops, missed the wrong button.  I haven't tried to attach an image yet on this website.





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[saygold]

I expanded this photo.
Ken

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[J. Huber]

Thanks Ken! Looks great. I appreciate the effort. Now did yours originally have the two-piece covers? And if you are ever about to paint your hardtop or wheels, please contact me!

James
63 230SL

[glcg123]

I had my wheels walnut shell blasted this past spring and repainted OEM, which was 717 papyrus. For your informtion the inside of the wheels were finished in a silver gray colour which was the colour on the inside of the spare. This is the way that they came from the factory. Mine have all been redone as per factory.  

I always try to keep the car original in all aspects, but people are free to do what they wish.

George
1965 230SL
717 papyrus
040 black wheel cover centers, hardtop roof
1011 Acquamarine leather interior

[saygold]

The full hubcaps were on the car when I bought it (in 1986). I think other members may know whether the full hubcaps were optional in 1966.  My car has several other "upgrades" as well, including rear disc brakes.  My car is more of a driver than a showpiece.  I had the exterior redone several years (original colors, of course), so I hope I won't need to do it again soon.  I used leather when replacing the dark blue MBtex interior (I didn't know as much then as I do now).  My softtop is also dark blue now, which I like better than the original black.

I will keep you in mind if I redo the hubcaps.

Ken
'66 230SL    

[J. Huber]

Thanks Ken. It makes sense to have a dark blue soft-top, especially with the blue seats, carpet and hardtop. I find it interesting that your original was black. Mine started blue -- I replaced with same.

James
63 230SL