Grill Star Repair

[230slhouston]

Hello all,
I am assembling the front of my car, the front components were stripped when I bought it. Assembly is like a jig saw puzzle but I am getting there. I want to reassemble and drive it before stripping again for painting.

My grill star is broken from the three points, is there any company out there that can repair/weld it?

I am assuming it is made of pewter and chromed.

Thanks
MBP

[seattle_Jerry]

Are there any custom bicycle builders in your area? I would think that they could braze it.

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[mdsalemi]

Gents,

Sorry to disillusion you, but it can't be brazed or soldered.  It's pot metal.

You might try gluing it with JB-weld, or epoxy, and then a little hand paint over the glue.  Few get that close to a grill star to see your handiwork, so it might work.

They are brittle and fragile.  Tom Hanson, of the Classic Center and formerly Caliber Motors told me that they break so often they would stock them at Caliber.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[ja17]

Hello,

I don't think that brazing will work on that zinc casting. I am not sure that there is any sucessful ways to weld those tiny zinc connections back together.  

Let us know if you find a way to weld it.  

I have taken tough tempered steel rods (piano wire) about 3/32" diameter and slightly carved the inside of the star so these rods protruded out each point and epoxied them in place. Next I joined the circle and star again, the rods held the star back in place and were invisible. Only the small fractures at each star point showed (almost invisible).  This may be a good fix until you find a good used one.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[seattle_Jerry]

http://www.muggyweld.com/zinc.html

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by seattle_Jerry

http://www.muggyweld.com/zinc.html

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

Well Jerry--internet marketing claims are one thing, successful practice another.  Anybody willing to try this?

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America

[seattle_Jerry]

It does seem to cure everything from arthritis to the marital impulse

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[Nate]

Caliber does stock them as do a few other sources.  You're probably better off buying a new one for ~$450.

1971 280SL
Arabian Gray

[BHap]

I recently saw just the star portion of the star and barrel on German E-bay - part was in a M-B bag and looked official - I think it went for less than $100....

Bob Happe
Pittsburgh, Pa
1970 280SL, white/black 4 speed

[J. Huber]

I am a little confused (no comments)...Are the star attachment points in question where it joins the barrel? i.e. the tips of the arms... If so, how would just buying the star help?

James
63 230SL

[BHap]

The star is cast into to a narrow (3/8"?)ring that attaches to the front of the barrel - the star and the ring are one piece - the barrel is separate - I don't think you can buy just the star and ring from Mercedes any more.

Bob Happe
Pittsburgh, Pa
1970 280SL, white/black 4 speed

[230slhouston]

Thank you everyone. My temporary fix is with JB weld. It seems fairly strong. I like Joe's idea of steel rods. I should have posted the question before repairing.

Until I can get one at a good price, I will live with what I have for now.

Thanks
MBP