I'm thinking of painting my grill to match the paint on the body. This is the plastic (I think) part behind the chrome. Will something like Krylon work okay for this? Has anybody else here done that? I didn't find anything in a quick search.

Which car? Surely not the SEC:eek:

John did his grill to match the body. I would ask him

Yeah, I thought I'd paint the SEC's grille white to match the body. It's a light gray now, so it wouldn't be a whole lot different looking.

I'll ask John. Thanks. You coming on Saturday?

Use a plastic adhesion coat as a primer. This will keep the color from flaking off later and looking like crap. PPG makes a good product SXA1050

hmmm, If you are going to paint the SEC's grill, maybe make it black.The contrast would be cool and it would look sportier.

Regarding Saturday, I was TOLD (by wifey) that I must go down to Roanoke, Va for the weekend. I was looking forward to seeing y'all too!:mad:

I was also looking forward to Rudolf's debut. and taking a spin in a certain 560SL:D

One day maybe I will have a DAY that is MINE!!!


have fun and hoist one for me!

Hey Dee8go,

I just noticed this color matched grill belonging to CamelotShadow.:cool:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=1440

Max's grille is painted blue to match the body. I think it's a cool look. I'd prefer black, but only if the rest of the car was black.

Is there a brand name for that plastic adhesion coat? That's good to know. I would have probably just sprayed it with regular primer.

Max's grille is painted blue to match the body. I think it's a cool look. I'd prefer black, but only if the rest of the car was black.

Is there a brand name for that plastic adhesion coat? That's good to know. I would have probably just sprayed it with regular primer.

PPG Plastic Adhesion Primer - that's the part number. Even Krylon makes a PAP and I wouldn't sweat the brand name if you cant find it easily.

Great. Thanks, TX.

Greetings all...

After many searches, dead-end threads and clicking on many dead links, I decided its time to ask a question many have asked before. Though many have tried to answer the W124 Aftermarket Grille question, nobody really has, in my opinion. If they (you) have, then I offer my apologies up front and would appreciate a post pointing to the link.

So, here's the question... Where does one find an aftermarket grille for a 1992 300CE? As I understand, this is the same grille as is on all W124's from 1986 through 1992. It seems the 1993-1995 W124 grille won't fit the 1986-1992 hood. If it's just not available in the US, then I have another thought, conjured from reading many other threads.

The other option would be to remove, paint, and reinstall the grille. So, my only other question is with an "Arctic White" 300CE, do you think it would look hoakey to have a white grille. I do have euro headlights and clear marker/signal lamps. I am willing to try it, but wanted an opinion or two first.

Thanks!
Michael B.

So, here's the question... Where does one find an aftermarket grille for a 1992 300CE?

Click on the Buy Parts tab above and search or call Phil.

You can also order one from here:
https://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=k1mjjc554kddveiim3skrlyh&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1193633@300CE&year=1992&cid=13@Body,%20Trim%20%26%20Lighting&gid=1384@Grille

I'm thinking of painting my grill to match the paint on the body. This is the plastic (I think) part behind the chrome. Will something like Krylon work okay for this? Has anybody else here done that? I didn't find anything in a quick search.

www.2phast.com check his 500E page.

Greetings all...

After many searches, dead-end threads and clicking on many dead links, I decided its time to ask a question many have asked before. Though many have tried to answer the W124 Aftermarket Grille question, nobody really has, in my opinion. If they (you) have, then I offer my apologies up front and would appreciate a post pointing to the link.

So, here's the question... Where does one find an aftermarket grille for a 1992 300CE? As I understand, this is the same grille as is on all W124's from 1986 through 1992. It seems the 1993-1995 W124 grille won't fit the 1986-1992 hood. If it's just not available in the US, then I have another thought, conjured from reading many other threads.

The other option would be to remove, paint, and reinstall the grille. So, my only other question is with an "Arctic White" 300CE, do you think it would look hoakey to have a white grille. I do have euro headlights and clear marker/signal lamps. I am willing to try it, but wanted an opinion or two first.

Thanks!
Michael B.
I bought two different aftermarket grilles for my CE and sent both of them back because they were crap and the sections did not fit together well. I found that getting an OEM one was worth the extra hundred bucks.

I was going to get a new grille for the SL until I saw the price,,:eek:. The old one had some nasty rock dents on it and had lightened up in color considerably. We took it out, fixed all the chips and dents, and painted it black with a clear coat. Looks just fine, IMHO.

www.2phast.com check his 500E page.

Thanks, Omega. That's an interesting site. I like the matching grille and body color.

Actually, I was thinking of putting a body kit on this car. Does that take the place of the plastic cladding around the bottom or would it have both of them? Anybody know?

I found an AMG knock-off kit at a place in New Jersy which I have actually seen on another member's car.

The Black SEC grilles look sharp.

I would definitely paint mine black if the body was also black. I think it looks cool when the grill and the body are the same color. I'll have to check and see how hard it is to separate the chrome and the plastic part behind it.

I would definitely paint mine black if the body was also black. I think it looks cool when the grill and the body are the same color. I'll have to check and see how hard it is to separate the chrome and the plastic part behind it.

Hmmm..... Is your car white?



I think black grilles look awesome. Isnt the SEC grille regularly grey?

Yeah. my grille is gray. My SEC is white. I think the matching grille is a little more customized looking. Plus, it's not hard to do, even for me.

Click on the Buy Parts tab above and search or call Phil.

You can also order one from here:
https://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=k1mjjc554kddveiim3skrlyh&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1193633@300CE&year=1992&cid=13@Body,%20Trim%20%26%20Lighting&gid=1384@Grille

Thanks! However it looks just like an OEM grille. I use Autohauz for all my other parts needs, so if I ever need an OEM grille, I'll be sure to buy one from them.

Michael B.

I bought two different aftermarket grilles for my CE and sent both of them back because they were crap and the sections did not fit together well. I found that getting an OEM one was worth the extra hundred bucks.

Well, I went ahead a painted my old grille. I don't think it looks too bad and did get a compliment or two since doing it. I'll post a pic as soon as I figure out how this site allows/manages such.

Michael B.

Well, here are two pics taken at dusk. I'll take a daylight pic sometime this week and post it if I can figure out how to attach something larger than an postage stamp.

For those not so sure if they can remove and replace their grille or not, it was rather easy actually. I simply removed the 1 screw from the bottom center. Then removed the two clips from the lower inside corners and then backed off the nut holding on the star badge. The hood ornament does not need to be removed. After this, I was able to slide the grille up a bit and gently pry the plastic part out of the chrome frame. The chrome horizontal pieces (6) and the vertical piece (1) slid out easily, exposing the grille for painting front and back. After about 4 coats and a few minutes dry time, I put the grille back on the hood. I had this all done in about an hour.

I was worried that it would look goofy or that it might resemble a rat job. However, IMHO, I think it looks good.

Michael B.

Nice-looking, Michael. It's a nice custom touch that isn't too hard to do.

I tried to get mine off last night. It appears there are several Phillips head screws holding the grille in the SEC in and they were stuck. I'll have to try again later.

I removed the inserts from the grille on my astral silver SL-C and cleaned them with alcohol, sprayed them with 3 cotes gloss black krylon and a two cotes automotive clear and called it a day. . .came out fantastic (other then a fingerprint mark near the star, klutzy me). . .I'd highly recommend this technique. . .

What is the significance of cleaning them with alcohol?

Alcohol removes any grease, wax, polish, etc., leaves no residue behind AND it doesn't attack the plastic like lacquer thinner will.

I use it as a final "wipe-down" (50-50 water/denatured alchol mix in a spray bottle) on any finesse job such as touch-up painting or even paint polishing.

i've also been known to use a 50/50 Absolute Vodka alcohol/ grapefruit juice mix in a glass of ice to make my car look better:D

A good drink makes everything look better, doesn't it?

Thanks for the tip, Mike.

Now, I'm thinking I would rather just paint the whole thing including all the chrome pieces white. Is there anything special you have to do to paint chrome?

Painting chrome is no big deal.. ruff it up by lightly sandblasting and then use a zinc phosphate primer.. Dupont makes a good one. #615s
and 616s.. it's a two part mix. Then use your preferred primer. I use strictly urethane.. the paint won't come off..."

Would spray painting just the chrome pieces work? I'm wondering if prepping as you said and then spraying Krylon or something like it on the chrome would look okay and hold up well?

Would spray painting just the chrome pieces work? I'm wondering if prepping as you said and then spraying Krylon or something like it on the chrome would look okay and hold up well?

You gotta rough up the surface, otherwise it wont stick.