1983 Mercedes Benz W123 280CE Restoration | Part 1 | Expanding foam Fun

Video Sponsored by Ridge, go to
www.ridge.com/R...
Use Code “RESTOREIT” for 10% off your order
In this episode of Restore It, I take on my first ever customer-owned project with help from a few specialists. This is a Mercedes Benz W123 280 CE from 1983 in relatively good condition. As you'll see in this episode, although it looks good from afar, it's when we get up close that we can see why this car is in the workshop for some work.
I'm sure some of you are thinking I'm taking on too much at once. But don't worry, I'm in the process of finding help in the workshop. So if you are interested in working at Restore It, please email me at [e-mail].
Thanks for watching. Subscribe for more!
#restoration #workshopbuild #timelapse
Tools & equipment used:
Quartz Lacquer - goo.gl/8PTVKM
Base Coat Paint - goo.gl/mWhufG
Rust Remover - goo.gl/13gopW
Rohr 250 Welder - bit.ly/33mkOGP
U-Pol Weld Through Primer #2 - bit.ly/2qL38ak
Fast Mover 1kW Infrared Paint Dryer, Stand, Timer - bit.ly/2WYR9jJ
Workbenches - arborgardensol...
Moldex Full Face Mask - goo.gl/NNYGrv
FGL 5 Spray gun - goo.gl/Acg5rd
A.N.I. R150-T Mini Spray gun - goo.gl/cHTJS2
Colad Washable Overalls - goo.gl/3Css9E
Colad Mixing Cups - goo.gl/8DYmE8
Colad TurboMix Sticks - goo.gl/cYZfks
Colad Synthetic Paint Strainers - goo.gl/H79ZgL
Steel wire bits - geni.us/keyaD
Blasting Cabinet - bit.ly/2GxvKJ7
Blasting pot - bit.ly/32TMnrU
Cordless Ratchet - bit.ly/30YNlkG
Parts Washer - bit.ly/2K5G9wA
Rotary Tool - geni.us/HGed
Concentrate Degreaser - geni.us/yUn9
Mannesmann Socket Set - geni.us/HCDZ
Follow me on Social media to keep up to date with videos and behind the scenes.
My Patreon Page:
/ restoreit
My Twitter Page:
/ restore__it
My Facebook Page:
/ restoreitchannel
My Instagram Page:
@RestoreItChannel
PayPal Donations:
[e-mail]
Discord
I now also have a discord server if you want to chill with like-minded people and maybe learn something new:
/ discord

[@bobjoncas2814]

..making old classic iron come alive, should be a good one, stay safe..

[@RestoreIt]

Thanks Bob!

[@opticaltrace4382]

I've a feeling you're about to find a whole lot more than you bargained for young man... Good luck!

[@wz2760]

finally a benz!

[@RestoreIt]

Enjoy!

[@aserta]

70% sure, vacuum leak. Also, that expanding foam made me want to cry, Christ, way to make a small problem far worse.

[@charliemartin3748]

Out of curiosity, what are you listening for to see if it is a vacuum leak?

[@janagterhuis6312]

@@charliemartin3748 by listening to the way the engine runs. When the engine runs really rough that could be due to a vacuum leak (ruled out it is not misfiring).

[@300DBenz]

You better not look at my 1999 Subaru Legacy then...I’ve had to use 4 cans of that foam in order to seal the gaping rust holes, so that road salt/briney slush couldn’t spray farther down into the body of the car. (Don’t worry, I’m not selling her to some poor sap, once I get her replacement she’s going straight to the junkyard. After 22 years and over 260,000 miles, she’s earned her rest.)

[@imnota]

@@300DBenz If you had to use 4 cans it probably should be there already, let's be honest.

[@300DBenz]

@@imnota She’s been at the junkyard for 3 months now.

[@ferdi93ferdi]

Former mercedes classic center mechanic here: at 7:00 you have the so called 'jack holes' where your in car jack attaches to. We had special mounting plates for our lifts to use them properly - if not given, you can also use a 1/2" short extension socket 😁 those frame rails and mounts tend to rust.. eventually mercedes decided to use plugs and later a better design to lift the car. And if you need any parts, feel free to contact the mercedes classic center in Poole - it looks like that they are the only official classic center in the UK

[@keithmattioli115]

Technically speaking, the brightwork around the windows and windshield is not chrome. It's anodized aluminum.

[@86abaile]

Exciting. Props to the owner for keeping it in such great condition.

[@1702strine]

Apart from the dreadful foam job.

[@gwaynehiner]

I love these old W123 coupes (actually C123 - thank you Random41). The owner chose the right guy to handle this restoration. Looking forward to watching this whole series.

[@Random-nf7qb]

There are no W123 coupes. They're called C123

[@gwaynehiner]

@@Random-nf7qb Thank you for the knowledge!

[@Random-nf7qb]

@@gwaynehiner W - sedan S - estate C - coupe A - cabrio R - roadster V - stretch limousine F - chassis for custom builds VF - long chassis for custom builds

[@husk1c]

@@Random-nf7qb no body cares honestly

[@Random-nf7qb]

@@husk1c I don't remember asking...

[@zedlesshorseman]

I like that you're doing a Mercedes, and a generally nice one at that! When I was in my 20's here in Canada I used to say that the newly "rich" (or those who wanted to pretend to be rich and important) drove BMW's, while the old money was in Mercedes. (Back then I drove a Volkswagen, and said those of us with no money drove VW's! LOL!) I can't believe someone actually tried to repair a car with expanding foam! Much more of it than what that car had and it would have floated in water!

[@FFVoyager]

7 seconds in and you get a thumbs up for just doing my favourite Merc! It's going to be a good series.

[@BNT-dl9wf]

From one classic to the other! Nice to see :)

[@RestoreIt]

Cheers BNT!

[@j.vogelealsamrraie2753]

From Iraq I tell you great job my friend 👍👍💪💪🌹

[@andrewedwards6548]

Funny looking bmw. Haven't you got enough on your plate :P

[@RestoreIt]

It is isn't it! Well, I do now... No more for now I promise!

[@andrewedwards6548]

@@RestoreIt you'll crash and burn if you put too much stress on your head that's all :)

[@notthisguyagain8557]

Exactly 🤣. Steve has ADHD

[@dillanmistry]

I’ll be looking forward to the dry icing

[@mrpoki9]

„Even the half job was half done“ had me crackin 😂 But jokes aside, kinda sad seeing something like this on a car, especially on a beauty like this. Glad it’s now in good hands.

[@dagobertkrikelin1587]

Old cars look way better than most new ones. You are a champion of cars by restoring them!

[@mustafamertguzel8784]

Owwww new project. My favorite cars 123 coupe.

[@TrapShooter68]

Pre-unification Mercedes. A well made classic! Going to be a great series!

[@alexstromberg7696]

"well made" these rust more than any other car

[@montereybaymurals]

Im very happy you are doing a restore on this car. I have the same car. I will be taking notes so that I can do the same to my car

[@gaffyh1745]

Don't want to be THAT guy but....Are you actually going to finish a car? Seems like you keep starting a new one! LOL

[@kevinengland4675]

Part of how things go when waiting on parts and he’s has to make content for us.

[@Cus7ate9]

What Kevin said

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

@@kevinengland4675 that’s always the problem. You can’t do anything without anything. If we only lived in a world where parts arrived instantly.

[@augustinasgriskevicius4110]

I have one of these cars, what is the proce range for getting something like this done?

[@danielsanchez710]

More vehicles = more videos. Definitely on board with this.

[@daedalus_20v]

For the first half of the video I couldn't figure out how expanding foam was going to play into this. And then... wow. Considering the color and the amount of foam, I vote this project gets renamed as the Root Beer Float!

[@huudiinii]

That's really great that you are expanding your channel and challenging yourself with different brand. Keep it coming mate, good luck and stay safe!

[@user-eb8mh6kf4b]

What a fantastic choice of project....I look forward to this very much! Keep up the excellent work my friend!

[@benzlover55]

a lot of the "Chrome" on a old Mercedes like this is NOT Chrome at all! It's actually anodized aluminium!

[@satriosukarnoatmosudirjo9722]

this also explain why the "chrome" pieces didn't have mirror finish

[@bly2733]

Im so glad you took on this project, i worked in a bodyshop for a formation and my boss was restoring a 79' or 80' 280SL that had sat in a garage for 23 years. He knows even less than me about mechanic so he still doesnt even know if it runs or not. But, with your detailed videos, i can not wait to learn more about that engine, how everything works and mostly how it should work and look like. Can't wait to see more

[@HelpingHandAutoRepair]

Man! I love these cars! I have a 1983 w126 300SD and a W124 300TE

[@joelpalmer]

Chrome and Car Restoration on KZbin is a fantastic plating and polishing service in the UK

[@mrrustman1657]

I love expanding foam! around windows...

[@the_roadrunner8295]

Omg. Mercedes classics. Nice, rare car.

[@buildingsalvage]

Man that thing is gorgeous.

[@mariobarac9564]

Perfect man to repair this classic 💪🏻

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful videos I am from South Africa

[@USSEntrprise]

YEEESS!!!! Had to look at the upload date to see it wasnt april fools. love it! glad youre doing an old Benz :)

[@bizling]

Mercedes-Benz + Coupe = amazing, just looks great!

[@franklindowning5676]

honestly, you could be restoring a 70s Ford pinto and I'd still watch it all, you do amazing work!

[@SubversionGarage]

One of my favorite Merc models

[@compu85]

Ugh the sill rot! It looked so nice from far away!

[@atllep98]

The w123 is such a beautiful car, I remember my dad had a white station wagon when I was a kid. I currently own my second w124 wagon now, its black paint (or was) has faded out over the years since it was new in 95, so it would be a dream to have it repainted at some point

[@Lord-Brett-Sinclair]

One of my favourite cars, a timeless classic

[@gkkUK]

can we pls have as much as possible documentary on dry ice blasting

[@nabukhas]

Its really nice to see more cars And the most important part that restore it take care of it.

[@skodakatie7341]

This is a great looking classic Mercedes, I’m looking forward to the upcoming series on this restoration!.

[@abderrahimmark]

At last a mercedes.. thank you!

[@Mihail.Ivanov.163]

*Всем владельцам MERCEDES здравия и благополучия ! Были W201, W140, третий год на W124, 1985г.(2.0, ручка, pierburg, самоблок). Я заглянул в Вечность !*

[@luckyhomestead]

I love c123, I had the same 2.8 in the past. And I have to admid, your car starts terible. It should start right away. Looking forward to this series :)

[@LearnToRace]

I'm glad your sorting that rocker cover out

[@wonderingmonitor1996]

So sad to see that the owner got a bodge job on that lovely car. Not a Merc guy, but still loving that this car will now get proper attention and years added to its life. Good on you for having a go man, looking forward to the next vids!

[@grutnip]

Nice to see variety

[@ArmySigs]

Surely those headlights are glass? Polishing glass is a whole different world compared to plastic or paint ;)

[@tommatura1641]

Excited to see the dry ice blaster!!

[@tollevkvendbo]

Awesome car

[@RestoreIt]

Isn't it just!

[@ocoyocoy]

I was wondering you only restore BMW. But now you had a mercedes benz in your garage. Love it

[@Radio4ManLeics]

Great vid! I love these 80s Mercedes, superb cars, and today's mass market Mercs aren't a patch. Even the channel sponsor's section was interesting!

[@evilsquirrel56231]

Looking forward to it, always loved the 123!

[@francoislaval5524]

you tackle a lot of projects but we would like to see one of your projects complete.

[@shortvidz9576]

This is a huge job

[@Duvelz]

glad to see other cars, ill will be watching this very carefully

[@aframe.keramoslav]

Приветствую вас с Москвы 😄✌️

[@RestoreIt]

Cheers!

[@Brouder67]

И вам привет с Москвы!)

[@yakupcandag426]

We follow you from Turkey with love. It's going to be a great series for Mercedes lovers. Don't keep us waiting too long for new episodes. Greetings from Turkey

[@yakupcandag426]

It would be great if there was a possibility of Turkish subtitles.

[@Jagailo]

My grandfather had the same Merc, only 82nd year of release. My dad drives it sometimes. I think I'll also use it as a second car someday. Successful restoration

[@Egon1982]

Thumb up before watching;D one of the best merc ever ;) Congrats ! Love it :)

[@uwecastro]

I ll be waiting for 2nd episode.

[@JRcash226]

Finally a Merc😍😍😍

[@notthisguyagain8557]

I don't mind a new car, but every project that you do seems to be put on a back burner for a new one. I know you're just one man but, I fear you'll never get around to rusty nut restorations.

[@DaleDix]

I think he will get paid to do this and that will help funding

[@notthisguyagain8557]

@@DaleDix funding of? It's not like he's going broke working on the cars. The videos in themselves pay for it.

[@GeminiWoods]

Lol, Derrick from Vice Grip Garage takes the number one spot for having way too many projects. Mustie1 is a close second... Great channels though!

[@pieterfranke]

Love this car

[@patrickgravel5237]

😳 damn I’m hyped!

[@spainter1985]

Love the look of these Mercs!

[@Tack_Films]

Love your videos. Your restoring 2 cars I have a e30 and w123 280e.

[@4WheelBuilds]

That's a nice ride. Sure it will be as good as new or better when it leaves your workshop.

[@maceopedrogarciagimenez9546]

Ayer fue mi cumpleaños y esta serie va a ser uno de los mejores regalos recibidos, me encantan tus vídeos y soy el orgulloso propietario de un 280 CE de 1984 💪

[@japan_aus2626]

いつも素晴らしい仕事です。最高！

[@Dad32646]

Ah! The take it apart channel!

[@polytzai]

Amazing!

[@crouchie595]

Love your video but please make them longer or upload sooner 🙏

[@jozefkovac6858]

As long as the quality is the same (or better). Take your time. ;-)

[@philen]

I got a couple of these. You have to check the floor from inside, especially in the back. Most common is rust behind the drivers seat. Also check rocker panels from the inside. Check the firewall and behind the battery tray. Check drainage, both under hood and the ones from the sunroof if it got any. Check electricity for shortages, it is common and could be hidden. Check behind insstrument cluster from underneath so that you dont have any oil leak. The oil pressure gauge is mechanical and have a small oil tube going in there. If no oil - dont remove the cluster! As someone already said you probably have a vacuum leak. Is it shifting well? It is supposed to shift very smoothly, not hard and not slipping on 2-3th or 3-4th gear which could be common.

[@philen]

Also check betwean rear suspension and body, there can be hidden rust.

[@nikolasvelezis3755]

Nice work as always!We need More!

[@lippled]

Interesting. I Love fixing old cars

[@RESTORATIONOFSCRAPMETAL]

excellent project👍👍

[@Wolfiejohn]

looks like a nice car cant wait for more thanks

[@donbot5000]

love this

[@mobilityxstore]

This was so relaxing!

[@giovannifoulmouth7205]

I'm looking forward to your work on this Merc. Definitely interested in other cars, not just Beemers.

[@MrSHAUNE55]

One way valve on the fuel pump to stop fuel draining back, causes it to take longer to start when it's been sat overnight. I've changed loads in the past.

[@mwauramburu]

Eeh, can we first get one full resto? Can't even remember the Beemer we started with!

[@tomswindler64]

Gonna be a great project car 😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@RestorationApprentice]

Love the w123, looking forward to more videos about this one! Looking to buy one myself.

[@user-mm5xv1rs1v]

Вперёд без страха и сомнений!!!

[@mardina1a]

One of the best cars produced in Stuttgard.a modern classic in well condution.lets see what it will be with your touch.good luck.

[@Intelcroa]

The part about the condition is not really true

[@coolissimo69]

Looking forward to watch any of your videos.

[@robociock]

Nice benzy 😎

[@w123ce9]

Yes W123 💪🏼

[@mihaeltadic8170]

The best Mercedes ever made🔥

[@pascaljeske7307]

Yes a cool Car Love it ⭐👍❤️❤️👍

[@Fuzoia]

Thats a classic

[@ilcooldj]

The white holes are jacking points for Merc’s original jack ( steel rod on a screw spindle)

[@DashDrones]

3:07 the number plate doesn't match the laser engraving. Still a Y reg car, maybe the door was replaced? Loving this restoration series!

[@montanaharkin]

That bathroom silicone is a new one... lol

[@Mohanned1979]

6:40 That is a hole where the original jack is put to lift the car. I had one of these 10 years ago. It is filled with expanding foam.

[@punkbloater]

Beautiful car... well it will be when you’re done. 👍🏻