Since the purchase of my '86 300 SDL, I have admired, almost above all, the hood ornament. Ever steady, the forefront of the mighty vessel that soldiers on. It's been really snowy here in Colorado, and my car has terrible tires for snow. Friend of mine, big ol' Sasquatch of a guy, was pushing on the front of the car to help me get out of a parking spot, of all things. He broke the hood ornament clean off. Right at the thinnest part of the steel, so there's still a little nubbin' poking out of the hood.

It's like my car got castrated.

I was thinking JB weld, for something cheap, but would it be worth it to find somebody who has access to welding equipment/experience to tack it back together? I just need some advice of how to go about fixing this.

Hello and welcome to the forums.

If I were you, I'd just replace the part:

1986 Mercedes-Benz 300SDL Base Sedan - Exterior Trim - Page 1

If I was hellbent on fixing it (for the cost of a new one, I can't say I blame you...), I'd try JB Weld first. I love that stuff.

Exactly. As I said to my son a couple of weeks ago after the hood ornament on the 99 got destroyed by his snow-shovel-wielding goon of a roommate, there's really no point in driving a Mercedes without the hood star. We replaced it without delay!

A new one for your car can be had for about $45, maybe less if you look around.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 157k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 175k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 144k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 70k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

The problem with any sort fix is that it will always be there staring at you, proclaiming its imperfection.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 157k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 175k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 144k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 70k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Oh sweet, I'll probably just order a new one, but I'll JB weld the old one back together for the time being. Thanks for the advice!

You wouldn't be able to weld it, but probably solder if you used a torch (an iron wouldn't get hot enough). Just don't aim it toward the paint...

-Rog

FWIW, They are ~ $20 cheaper on fleabay. Yards have plenty around here. Familiarize yourself with how they come off - open hood, fupp down & turn with pair of pliers.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

You can also duct tape it. Use the Gorilla stuff and you'll never need to replace it.

Dkr.

What are the Mercedes brand stars made from? Mine busted up at the automatic car wash. I wouldn't normally use an auto wash, but they only have outdoor wand washes in this stupid city and I ain't doing that when it's -20C. The water just freezes as soon as it hits the car.

On the underside of my broken star is the horrendous Ü that explains it all. The star is just cheap sparkly metal that has been cheaply chromed.

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1987 300E

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but I think they are cast zinc. Pot metal basically. I would try to remove and attempt to silver solder if anything. More likely to actually hold up. As mentioned, it will require a torch. May or may not affect the chrome plate.

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87' 300D, Currently undergoing an OM606 swap/build! SUPERTURBO!!!
03' 2500HD Dmax + goodies!
82' 300SD, parting out!
93' 300TE 4matic, parting out!
83' 240D Project Cheap Drive
89' 300E, parting out!
74' Datsun 510 wagon
88' RX7 10thAE, 13B track car build soon

Skippy~ As for perception: Drive what you like and can afford. Those who don't like it can supply vacuum to one of your components. LOL

If you need parts, I have some!

I can't see the real ones being pot metal. The Uro one on mine definately was and that's why it broke. According to wikipedia "Pot metal is not easily glued, soldered or welded".

Mine is in several pieces with several more missing. I'll either find a used one or buy a nice shiny new one. Just wondering what the Mercedes ones are made from.

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1987 300E

The most expensive post-war MBs don't have a hood star -



But the most expensive MBs do -



Just, please, don't do this -



Sixto
MB-less

Now that you'll get up close and personal with the star, consider checking to see if the laurel has lost its blue/white paint also.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

It's one of the few things I have bought at the dealer. $49 is a small price for the car to have it's manhood back...

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Perhaps they aren't, I really don't know. They do have some heft to them and the color & weight is close to zinc. I would think it would solder ok if you watch the temp though (if it was zinc). I do a lot of firearms stuff including reloading and casting bullets. And us casters love wheel weights for casting but must be careful sorting them because there's plenty of zinc wheel weights nowadays and if you heat your molten lead enough and miss a zinc weight, it will melt and blend into the lead so well that you essentially cannot separate it again and the alloy is ruined. I have a broken chunk of a Star i'll try to melt just out of curiosity

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87' 300D, Currently undergoing an OM606 swap/build! SUPERTURBO!!!
03' 2500HD Dmax + goodies!
82' 300SD, parting out!
93' 300TE 4matic, parting out!
83' 240D Project Cheap Drive
89' 300E, parting out!
74' Datsun 510 wagon
88' RX7 10thAE, 13B track car build soon

Skippy~ As for perception: Drive what you like and can afford. Those who don't like it can supply vacuum to one of your components. LOL

If you need parts, I have some!