Transformer – My C-Class Mercedes restoration project

[PaulVW]

As stated in my first test on the C-Class Merc here I bought this badly neglected car as a project car and I hope to restore it to its former glory. The plan is to eventually use it as a “courtesy car” when customers need to leave their vehicles with me for a while

Anyway, as this will be a long term project and because of the amount of work, I will try to post pics and a short summary of the work done as I continue to make progress.

I basically started with the car in the beginning of November and I decided to first tackle the interior. The seats were badly damaged by the sun and I had to get them repaired. The carpets were also filthy and I used Adams Carpet Cleaner to clean them. They are looking much better already, but I decided to invest in a (dedicated detailing LOL) vacuum cleaner and I will give the carpets another final treatment once I purchased a new vacuum cleaner.

Here are some before pics of the interior & seats. Also with the seats removed … and loaded into my GTI…



















I took the seats to a company called Leather Aid in Paarden Eiland and they restored them for me. Some after pics of the seats, interior and carpets... looking much better already!

[Vincent]

I have seen these seats in the flesh ... and I was convinced they were brand new. The interior carpets were also transformed. Paul you are doing some really awsome work on this vehicle.

[PaulVW]

(18-11-2010 11:12 AM)Vincent Wrote:  I have seen these seats in the flesh ... and I was convinced they were brand new. The interior carpets were also transformed. Paul you are doing some really awsome work on this vehicle.

Thanks Vincent! I hope those guys can help you out as well.

I can not take any credit for the seats, but here is a sneak peek of what I started last night. Will still write an update when I am done.

From this:



To this:

[PrevanP]

Wow, those restored seats look awesome. Great work Paul and at least you got some money out from under the seats... :-)

[onyx]

Fantastic!

Those seats indeed look brand new! Do you know the process that they use (re-sprayed maybe?)

[Audioholic]

Wow! day and night difference with the seats! nice work on the rest of the car!

[Carn]

Seats look good as new....Fairly sure they've been resprayed and lacquered Zee

[onyx]

(18-11-2010 05:59 PM)Carn Wrote:  Seats look good as new....Fairly sure they've been resprayed and lacquered Zee

Yeah was checking out the website - the gallery of photos are impressive!
My drivers seat could do with some treatment
clickety click

[calypso]

Epic job

[PaulVW]

(18-11-2010 12:30 PM)PrevanP Wrote:  Wow, those restored seats look awesome. Great work Paul and at least you got some money out from under the seats... :-)

Thanks PrevanP! Yeah, I had to remove those coins with a hammer and chissel. It seems some kids kept dropping their ice cream down the opening for the safety belt buckle

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(18-11-2010 08:48 PM)onyx Wrote:  

(18-11-2010 05:59 PM)Carn Wrote:  Seats look good as new....Fairly sure they've been resprayed and lacquered Zee

Yeah was checking out the website - the gallery of photos are impressive!
My drivers seat could do with some treatment
clickety click

Thanks Onyx & Carn - Sorry for the late reply.

Yes they do use sprayguns and buffing pads on the seats
I wasn't present when they did mine, but they did a few pieces of leather furniture while I was there...

The nice thing is that they also replaced the torn leather areas on the driver seat.

I am not sure how durable this repair will be, but this was my only option as I could not find any nice C-Class seats at the scrap yards around here. It seems that the fading was a common problem on this model...

[PaulVW]

(18-11-2010 11:30 PM)calypso Wrote:  Epic job

Thanks calypso!

I went shopping with my wife at Canla Walk last night and bought myself a little present. My very own dedicated detailing vacuum cleaner . No more domestic disputes about the vacuum cleaner

I hope this "sucker" will be able to get out all the sand from the carpets. The car attachment also looks good. I hope to test it over the weekend...

[Lambchop]

wow Paul .. Just seen this now.. FANTASTIC WORK!!!!!!!

Does anybody know if there is a leather repair place in JHB ?
My cat used to use my Leather couch as a springboard in my old flat
needless to say it looks like a scratch pole now

[Jughead]

Awesome turnaround PaulVW
Great interior transformation ... I'm not a carpet fan .. replaced my carpet mats with rubber ones the 1st day I got my car ... for fear of it looking like your pre-transformation pics ... Awesome turnaround

[PaulVW]

(22-11-2010 10:33 PM)Lambchop Wrote:  wow Paul .. Just seen this now.. FANTASTIC WORK!!!!!!!

Does anybody know if there is a leather repair place in JHB ?
My cat used to use my Leather couch as a springboard in my old flat
needless to say it looks like a scratch pole now

Thanks for the compliment Lambchop! Sorry man, I am not aware of anyone doing this sort of work in JHB but I am sure the other guys might be able to help. Perhaps also try Handel Street I know they only do automotive work but they might be able to point you in the right direction

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(23-11-2010 09:14 AM)Jughead Wrote:  Awesome turnaround PaulVW
Great interior transformation ... I'm not a carpet fan .. replaced my carpet mats with rubber ones the 1st day I got my car ... for fear of it looking like your pre-transformation pics ... Awesome turnaround

Thanks Jughead! I agree - our Freelander has beige carpets which is a mission to keep clean, but anybody that allows a car's interior to get to this state deserves to use a bus / taxi everyday

[PaulVW]

Update Time!

After temporary re-fitting the driver seat I decided to give the car another wash with a mild APC and CG Maxi-Suds 2 solution.




I dried the car and parked it in the garage and inspected the defects. The paint was really very badly faded by the sun and it seems a cat that walked in wet enamel paint ended up on the bonnet at some stage…









I followed the following correction process:
1. Claying
2. Shinex with Menz Power Gloss on Orange Pad
3. Shinex with Menz Power Finish on White Pad
4. G220 with Menz Final Finish on Black Pad
5. G220 with PB Black Hole on Black Pad
6. Topped off with Coli (Bonnet & Roof) and PB Nattys Paste Wax (Sides)

My brand new clay had to work hard…



Some 50/50 shots





…and the finals on the bonnet



Some pics taken outside of the bonnet and roof




Untreated vs treated areas



Reflections




Navigator side before and after







On Saturday I also gave the carpets another clean with my new Samsung 2000W vacuum cleaner and Adams Carpet Cleaner. I also re-fitted the seats.




I also fitted the new MB emblem which I bought from a local scrap yard and treated with some Megs NXT metal polish…

[Carn]

Impressive work Paul

[PrevanP]

Loving this restoration project Paul. Great work and keep the updates coming.

[onyx]

Awesome!

You could sell that for a profit!

[PaulVW]

Thanks for the compliments guys!

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(25-11-2010 12:49 PM)onyx Wrote:  Awesome!

You could sell that for a profit!

Thanks onyx!
Yes, I might have to sell it as it seems I might have more use for a bakkie but I will see how it goes...

[Audioholic]

Wow! i simply do not have the words!

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Wow! i simply do not have the words!