1983 Mercedes 240 Diesel...

Discussion in 'Show and Shine' started by cleandean, May 26, 2008.

  1. cleandean

    cleandean Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    Not a big fan of detailing on a holiday, but i had to get this on 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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  2. supercharged

    supercharged DB Forum Supporter

    Very nice job! Very clean! Interior is in excellent condition, love that leather. It's 25 years old, and leather looks better then on a 5 year old American car... Love that diesel. How many miles is on it?
     
  3. JohnyB

    JohnyB Birth of a Detailer

    Looks great!
     
  4. zoomzoom mazda5

    zoomzoom mazda5 Wax on..Wax off

    Great recovery Clean! :applause:
     
  5. jfsully

    jfsully Virgin Detailer

    Had a 240 D with euro lights......the car was a stick shift with zero to 60 in about a month:giggle:

    Loved the car ..that engine will run forever.

    Great job on it also:applause2:
     
  6. MadOzodi

    MadOzodi Nuba Guru

    Very nice Dean! I'm impressed that the interior was still in that good of shape for you to detail.
     
  7. supercharged

    supercharged DB Forum Supporter

    yeah, that's one main reason I wouldn't buy one...New 320 CDI however accelerates pretty fast, and gives an awesome fuel economy.
     
  8. Pats300zx

    Pats300zx Official DB Moderator

    Great job on a true classic...:applause2:
     
  9. P1et

    P1et Official DB Moderator

    That is stunning, beautiful work! Love daily drivers that look this good. And you're right, those interiors will outlast anything else...
     
  10. Usjdmtuner

    Usjdmtuner Wax on..Wax off

    wow... came back to life
     
  11. Sparkie

    Sparkie Wax on..Wax off

    :applause: Nice job...
    High as gas is now I would love and get a hold on one of them....
     

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