1983 Mercedes 240 Diesel...

Clean Dean

Keep it clean !!!
Not one for detailing on a holiday, but needed to get this one in today.



Had my work cut out for me this morning. This all original paint 1983 Mercedes Benz 240 Diesel was looking a little tired, and the owner wanted gloss restored to the exterior, and the engine detailed as well as the interior. After washing and claying the single stage paint I got my forearms ready for a marathon buffing session. I have been using Hi-Temps 357 Magnum for quite some time with great results, so I ordered some Extreme Cut last week and was looking for a victim to try it out on.



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Started cutting through the oxidation and wash scratches with a Schlegel yellow wool pad, and the single stage blue paint quickly saturated the yellow pad and had to keep raking the pad to keep it clean. It was evident that much of the vehicles top surfaces were etched from 25 years of usage, but the paint was starting to show some life again. Next I had to remove some serious buffing swirls.



I opted for Hi-Temps light cut compound to remove the buffer swirls and finished with 3M Ultrafina to level out the remaining light swirls. Sealed with Klasse SG. All exterior trim dressed with AM Dress-It-All and chrome polished with Mothers.





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Engine detail:



APC diluted 50% pressure washing and cleaning with various brushes and acetone to remove cosmoline. Hit the aluminum with Mothers Aluminum polish.



Engine dressed with Stoners trim Shine (non-aerosal).



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Interior:



Good old indestructible MB Tex !!! Interior was scrubbed with Meguiars APC diluted 10:1 and carpeting hit with my Mytee Tempo and a hot water solution. All nocks and crannys blow out with compressed air. All interior dressed with aerosol Trim Shine. Glass cleaned with Sprayaway. Wood trim lightly waxed with a non cleaner carnuba.



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Not exactly a show car, and will never be a concours winner, but a little more than just an everyday daily driver. The owner was quite pleased with the results.



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How do you like HiTemp products? I have some 357 Magnum, Extreme Cut, and Smooth Cut. I haven't got to use them on anything severe yet. I ordered them when I first got my rotary because I saw on some paint corrections that people had done that it had removed some serious marring.
 
Looks great and I love that older body style. Outside correction is nice but that interior....whoa...looks brand new.
 
Looks great and I love that older body style. Outside correction is nice but that interior....whoa...looks brand new.



Yeah the MB Tex is indestructible. Its a soft vinyl that looks and feels like leather, but holds up real well over time. The exterior is what it is. Although the car was well care for, the dark blue paint was obviously left outside from time to time with contamination on the surface. The entire topside of the car etched everywhere, and even Extreme Cut was not going to take it out. I was hesitant to suggest wetsanding with 1200 grit to the owner, because the paint was all original, and I did not believe that the etching could be removed.



How do you like HiTemp products? I have some 357 Magnum, Extreme Cut, and Smooth Cut. I haven't got to use them on anything severe yet. I ordered them when I first got my rotary because I saw on some paint corrections that people had done that it had removed some serious marring.



I love 357 Magnum on most clearcoated surfaces. Fairly aggressive, but leaves the surface pretty close to ready for a final polish in most cases.



You are definitely the old Mercedes master.



Thanks Scott !!!
 
Looks awesome! When growing up, I remember riding in these mbz diesels.



Do you remember how many miles are on this one?
 
Looks awesome! When growing up, I remember riding in these mbz diesels.



Do you remember how many miles are on this one?



46k documented miles. Other than the paint imperfections, and the remnants of a mouse's winter residence in the engine bay, the car was in really nice shape.



I have a soft spot in my heart for these old Benzes and owned a few trophys myself over the past 10 years.
 
Excellent work! You did what you could on that paint, looks a lot better. That is one of my favorite Benz body styles, so I enjoy seeing details like this. These days the nice W123s are really worth some money too. Sorry if I missed it, but what was used on the wheel covers?
 
You rock dean! That 240 turned out great. You really have a talent for bring the older benzes back to life. Top notch work!



Thanks. Love your avatar. Are you a member of the MBCA? I have been for a few years NNJ Chapter.
 
Clean Dean said:
Yeah the MB Tex is indestructible.



The owner appears to have taken well care of that car. MB Tex in our '84 sd met it's match during the 90's with my three (now late) 120lb german shepherds followed by abuse as a beach car.
 
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