In the morning I drove to the Griot's HQ store because they had the 2nd annual free Speed Shine fill up. Last year it was any size container. This year they got smart and limit it to 35 oz. My gallon jug got a quart.
THEN, I headed off to the PnP to see the 420SEL that was on the CL listing but not showing up on Row52.com. I found there were more than just that w126 to scrounge, and got a power antenna from a w201 to replace the busted shaft one that came on the car. (I later tested the busted shaft and the motor works, not sure what the deal with the W201 is). I picked a few w124 window switch because maybe those were going to fit the SDL. Not knowing, I found the rear switch in the SDL are fatter post, so donated the thinner pin switch to the SEL when I snagged the rear switch from it. I was not sure if I needed front ambers, but, why not? Turned out mine had some paint mist. Will swap that out. The headlamp wipers on the SEL were toast, but those from a w124 were in better shape, and the same part number. Polei has euro lights, so maybe w140 wipers will be better? I have some overspray from painting Polei that fell upon the wiper arms. The SEL donated those. When I got home, I did a 600 grit sand on both wiper sets and that seems to have had a great restorative massaging such that they now appear blacker and less filthy. Once I am done with the polish and buffing, the refreshed wipers will be mounted. I figure I can rehabilitate the originals later. When I got Polei, she was claimed to have non-functional windows, thus the desire for fresher switches. There is a box of parts that came with the car, mostly removed bits the PO squirreled away trying to fix the window issue. The door panels are off on the driver side, probably in that box. With the panels missing, the liner is gone as well. The SEL had totally great liner with the foam at the top. Not going to pass that up! I had been trying to figure out what mil visquine I would need, but now I have liner for all four doors. I did not bother with the door speakers, as that would be too silly in a remuddled German Police vehicle. Also there are no speaker wires to the front doors. I saw that there were wire connection blocks in the SEL, but could not remember seeing those on Polei. May as well grab those so I can properly wire the windows when I effectuate the window repair. AS it turned out, the driver door was missing its block, so I hooked that up when I got home. Passenger door has not been messed with and I found out that its window motor make glass go up and down just fine with the center switch. I had picked up a spare battery, not of a Group 49 sort, earlier in the year and it was living in my garage on the off chance I should need an extra battery down the road. While on the Griot's trip, I stopped at the closest Goodwill store and there was a battery clamp set with clips on the one end and rings on the other. Maybe 24 inches long, 6 gauge. When I was home once more, I drug that out to the car and hooked the leads to the window motor wires. Whachuh know? The motor makes the windows go up and down just fine. PO was under the impression that the wiring from the switch to the window motor must have aged out and failed. Could be... I whipped out my handy multimeter and did a continuity test from the wire block to the switch plug in. Full continuity.. so therefore, the wiring is good! Plugged the switch in, turned the key and made the driver window go up and down! I had made a mess of my trunk threshold with overmuch overspray. The SEL had its threshold removed and looking very clean and pretty. Into the wheel barrow with it. I got curious about the lower window trim on the doors. Wanted to see how it mounted. It came out fairly easy, so decided that I would add that to my collection. It had the standard oxidation from being on the car. While removing one trim bit the rubber flashing came off. Hmmm, maybe I can use that too because I could not remember if my stuff was as good. I did not bother with the thinner stuff around the door windows. I had been buffing my R107 hubcaps as part of curb rash repair. I had not gotten to the white rouge wheel yet, so had the Emery and Tripoli wheels mounted. The oxidized trim was run through those wheels and then I changed over to the White Rouge and gave everything a really nice shine. The trim goes on once the polishing and wax is done on the paint. I had to remove the side view mirrors to get to the trim. No use wasting them, as mine are sort of bunged up and need replaced anyway. I also grabbed the rearview mirror, since mine lost the ability to switch from day to night. I have yet to figure out just HOW IN THE HELL I get the mirror mounted again. There must be a magic spell or incantation to get it to insert. A rubber mallet and lots of strong language did not convince the mirror to go back from whence it came. I was tempted to grab the interior prior to seeing the car. Turned out mice had been living inside and eaten a goodly portion of the leather front seats and soiled the carpeting, as well as making the door cards smell of mouse piss. They were black and Polei has a grey interior. Her front seats have failed leather fronts on the seat bottom because the PO never fed the leather and it stress cracked/tore. Seats work motor wise, just look like crap. Tomorrow I will try to wrap up the buffing/polish work on the paint. Maybe I can get a little bit of shine out of it. clay 2002 s430 - Victor, a Stately & well tailored chap 1974 450sl - Frosch - Two tone green 1986 SDL - Polei retired models- 1976 300D - Blei Vanst - it looks silvery 1972 220D - Gump - She was green, simple and ran 1995 E300D - Gave her life to save me against a Dame in a SUV POS 1987 SDL - Beware Nigerian Scammers _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com