Accidentally Butchering a 40 YEAR OLD MERCEDES W123

I'm back with the W123, in an attempt to fix the serious rust issues covering this car.
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Part 1 of the Transformation:
• Detailing Transformati...
Our Website:
www.samsdetailing.co.uk
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[@fir4fly6]

Feels like I’m watching a series on Netflix absolutely love the content 👏🏻❤️

[@samsdetailinguk]

Thank you!

[@libertyanunion]

I admire you for taking on such a task. I did auto body repair for years. On the other drivers side quarter panel “ wing“ as you call it. I’d mate the repair patch panel right over the existing rusted panel , vise grip it in place and make you cuts right through both panels. When you remove the outer panel and finish cutting away the factory panel , your going to have a nice fit between the new panel and the existing section. That’s what we call a butt joint. Then you can fashion strips of metal maybe an inch wide and tack that along the edge where you mating the pieces. You ll have a smooth transition and will help in the plastic filler process. Good luck. Keep the videos coming

[@user-ry5hm7ho8t]

My welding looked like bird droppings for the first year. It took a long time to get it right.

[@gregwebdale6406]

I have an old 83' W123 300D sitting in my driveway. Its been there since 2007 when I parked it and covered it in an outdoor car cover. It ran well when I parked it, but needed brake and front end work. Now - 4 outdoor covers later - I intend to get it running again. Its great to see vids like this. You encourage me.

[@babybambi8389]

Your branding, close-up shots and slow motion editing is just as good as the hard work you are putting on the car.

[@samsdetailinguk]

We really appreciate that, thank you 🖤

[@lordbungle6235]

Sam, you are going about it the right way in cutting the repair panels up and just using them to sort the rotten areas. Now about the welding...... Look on your floor, you will see loads of off cuts of metal, new and old. Clean them up, clamp them together. and have a practice. Anyone who welds for a living will have started by welding practice pieces. When a Mig welder is running right it will sound like sizzling food in a frying pan. if you have that sound you are ok. Get to know the welder you using, not all are equal, some you will need to move faster and some slower, this is why you need to use your eyes and ears. Also so glad to see you wear eye protection when welding, from my own experience I can tell you Arc Eye hurts like F**k. Can't wait to see episode 2.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Great video and I wish I was there to help you. Great to see you get in and have a go, sometimes it’s the only way to learn. I know it’s all finished now but next time take some of the tips offered in the comments. Always cut the hole in the panel to fit the patch because as you found out, trimming the patch to the hole is nearly impossible. Fix the holes in the inner guards before putting the outer panel on and just stitch weld with tacks especially if you’re not a good welder. Then go back and stitch again and again until you’re happy. You don’t have to do a 100% weld, 70-80% would be more than enough to hold the panel on. In New Zealand you can’t get a road worthy with rust that penetrates the body work, (rust holes) and the panel beaters hate doing it so my brother started a business called the Rust Cutter. The panel beaters would call him and he would turn up with a few hand tools and a little mig welder. He would cut out the rust and hand make new pieces to fit, weld them in and finish it of with a skim of filler. The panel beaters were then happy to finish it from there and he was always busy. It’s a great little earner especially as he became quite adept at it. So if you’re handy and out of a job there are plenty of rusty cars in England. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺

[@nathanglynn7443]

i bought a w116 (in australia) that looks like an english car, cant believe how rusted it is, i havent the skills for welding (yet) but i plan on visiting my old man who has all that experience and equipment to clean out and set up a two door garage so we can work on cars together. i daily the w116 and i ended up grinding all the rust, converting it, then treating it over the top and then epoxy coat over the top (all rust are just pin holes, but i know its what you cant see thats the issue)

[@dieselmiro7241]

I'm a body repairer and a detailer too who owns a w123 .. And I'm telling you, you are on the right path mate. Waiting so bad for next Wednesday :)!

[@litarmleka3511]

Please tell me how to find front inner arch metal basket that is holding shock absorbers? Can I mount and weld that on the car or I need headlight support metal part with it altogether?

[@dieselmiro7241]

@@litarmleka3511 For sure you will need a support for it, that piece is holding the front of the car on it, it needs to be able to hold as much as 1000kg minimum. Shielded metal arc welding will do absolutely fine. Go for it and don't think too much about it as long as the part is new.

[@litarmleka3511]

@@dieselmiro7241 that's the catch! I'm in need of complete left and right arches for w123 (arch is two-part welded actually) I look all everywhere over the internet and it seems like there's only one part arch for sale like on this image www.mecatechnic.com/img/photos/zoom/MB08030.jpg. Can I cut left and right arch wing from another car(solid not rotten) and weld it on my car? It's crazy but the upper cups that supports the shock absorbers are both rotten.

[@dieselmiro7241]

@@litarmleka3511 yes you can. If u can't find the second part then u can weld it. Be sure the weld is tough. If u need anything I'll be around.

[@litarmleka3511]

Thank you very much for the advice. I have glossy metallic dark red Mercedes w123 with square headlights and white interior. Similar to one in the video.

[@mericavids]

A bead roller with an offset tipping die can be used on the new metal panels to create a flap to slide behind your existing metal to make it easier to weld with less gaps. Give 'er hell

[@francispowell1811]

One would think he would have researched that first. Crazy.

[@fraserp2377]

Honest, down to earth and funny. Really enjoying the content 👍

[@joshcrosby9893]

I just stumbled upon this after just buying and '86 300SDL. A. You are a champ for taking on this project and way to go after it! B. The footage, music, production is top notch C. You're hilarious. Love your humidly, passion and skill! Let's go!

[@Horus9339]

Well done, for a first time attempt at panel beating you are doing well. There are a few things I winced at, but we all learn from our mistakes. I am not going to knock you and what has been said here covers nearly everything I would have said. It would have been great if you had someone that was time served to give you pointers, but then that would have made the video totally different. Keep going, you are doing well. P.S. Kevin Oliveira is giving you really good advice. I would say wear a proper dust filter mask and make sure to use a full face welding mask, gloves and thick long armed cotton overalls. You will never forget the day a blob of weld falls into the crook of your arm I still have the scar to prove it. lol

[@christopherseow7149]

Love the honesty! That's why I'm glued. This is so real.

[@earlj.d.6285]

I don’t know much about the automotive world (history, tuning, detailing, etc) but I have the utmost respect and curiosity for dedicated craftsmen and women I’ll watch any video whether it’s a baker or car detailed/body worker. Thank you for this. Excited for the process and your documentation. 🤙🏽

[@Dr.Fiendish]

Admirable skills young man. Although non original wheels on a W123 is a crime against humanity.

[@levimaina8116]

"if you want to be a serious detailer you should have a very firm understanding of body work as well.Because it makes detailing understanding much better" Grear advise✨

[@louisseaman8455]

You have an indomitable spirit! You are tackling the only work on a car that requires knowledge, skill, craftsmanship and artistry! Most other work on a car can be successfully completed with only one or two of those traits...

[@paultaylor9652]

Sam gets down and dirty with a old school Mercedes-Benz, lovin it and can't wait for the next episode.

[@samsdetailinguk]

Cheers, Paul! 👍🏼

[@phdetails2426]

Got to love your commitment on this one, will be great when your finished

[@Alexander9170]

I can totally feel you with the frustration. I am restoring my 300D right now. I wanted to do the same with the rear side panel and I even bought it already. But then I got hold on an original Mercedes NOS sidepanel, which includes the rear corner, and goes up to the window frame. I welded it in few days ago. Fits absolutely perfectly. No filling needed, no problems with warping from welding. And I was able to attack numerous areas of rust and damage with just that one piece.

[@drayday3142]

Watching these videos doesn’t feel like a KZbin video….pretty amazing bro keep it up

[@manolisepitropakis545]

Nice job, well done...... W123 for ever......

[@SamVBikes]

Clocked this after watching your detailing vid - Fair play to you mate. Taking a chance and having a go at something this big! Kudos for the effort! Production value is great, and love your honesty! Looking forward to watching the next one!

[@chrisforrest4836]

"Lucky the boot area is quite solid"...... whole section drops out under slight finger pressure! You've learnt the first lesson about restoring old cars, you will nearly always end up cutting out at least twice as much metal as you thought you would need to. Never mind, you seem to be going about things with a good, logical and sensible approach. Get loads of welding practice on some old panels from the scrappy first. Welding is something you can get proficient at quite quickly, but I'm afraid you may need some help in making up compound curved pieces of metal. That's a skilled art that takes years to learn and quite a few special tools.

[@deanraddick9041]

Sam I’m with you, why oh why doesn’t anyone tell me these things before start tearing the stink out of a project, only to find out half way through, why oh why did I even bother 🤣🤣🤣 Great content mate, love the hardwork your putting into this car, all the way from Ontario Canada

[@EmissaXciv]

Such a great commitment to the job, your work and your graphic editor's work are amazing, your vids are a big part of the most entertaining content i ever watched on KZbin. keep 'em coming man.

[@judebrown2672]

This is amazing. Can't wait for your next vid. Good on you.

[@DashDrones]

Loving this W123. Cannot wait to see more. Amazing work mate😎

[@RaufCars]

The into to this video is amazing, completely grips you in. You deserve more subscribers, production quality is on point. Thumbs up!

[@samsdetailinguk]

Much appreciated man, thank you 👌🏼

[@MrFlyingguy]

the amount you learn just by trying is far greater than not trying....

[@karlhulme8014]

Love your enthusiasm! 👏

[@fernandolouismiramontes2520]

Keep going!! This is what it’s all about!

[@remotorcycled]

love your content buddy. Great to watch this! Nothing like going in at the deep end. Look forward to catching up on the others 👍😎

[@christianobrien4465]

Dude!! This… is so relatable so fun and I’m a new subscriber…

[@samijtube]

Great stuff! I can totally relate to the pain of doing the rust repairs on a rear quarter/trunk floor of Merc - just finished some on my w201.😃 That original rubbery underbody coating can hide lots of rust underneath, and it's pain to get it off to the bare metal. I found that a multitool with an oscillating blade is better for that purpose than an angle grinder (not creating smoke so much). Welding the panels is also something you can learn only by doing, so you have the right attitude! And the quality of filming and editing is amazing in your videos!👍

[@voa_studios]

Really love the content you’re putting out. It’s not so often you come across genuine content that’s really well put together and just great overall. Keep it up!!

[@samsdetailinguk]

Cheers man 👍🏼 Hope you enjoy what's coming up!

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

I think you're doing a great job here and as someone who wants to add a 123 to the stable you have given me the confidence to get stuck in. Your filming and editing is excellent by the way, well done.

[@samsdetailinguk]

Thank you, Malcolm! Let us know how you get on with your own W123 👍🏼

[@Anmaelden]

Nice work, like the video quality and effects too! Thumbs up

[@aysonhaus1701]

Impressive mate! definitely inspired me to attack that same boot panel in my w123! love the cinematics thanks again!

[@samsdetailinguk]

Glad to hear it, Ayson - thank you!

[@markkaba]

Really enjoying this one dude. Keep going, it’ll be worth it 👍🏼 keep up the great content.

[@declanpasquallie2497]

Cant wait 😭😭😭😭😭

[@baracho4104]

exited for the next episode! cheers from brazil

[@owencampbell138]

The tunes in this one are bangin. Excellent production work

[@samsdetailinguk]

Cheers Owen ✌🏼

[@meekhinglim4829]

Keep it nicely. It shall worth ton of fortune in the near future. I have mine EW230 manual and it is 37 years old and still in its pristine condition

[@vaclassics9379]

Hi Sam, hope you're doing great. I'm waiting patiently for your next video. Cheers mate

[@diplomat3000]

Nice project, symphatic crew and so well produced! Wish you good luck and more subscribers :-)

[@user-ry5hm7ho8t]

Like his sense of humour. I used to drive one of those. It was like floating on air. I don't know it it would be the same with the dropped suspension and low profiles.

[@halbusby2107]

You’ve got some amazing skills, keep going 😊

[@channelnathprend]

Great vid and that’s what it’s all about having a go ! You’ve come this far you can definitely pull it off, get some welding practice sorted before you commit to the car that’s my only input 👍

[@skodakatie7341]

This classic car will look amazing when it’s finished!!❤️.

[@retroclassicfleet]

Great experience learn as you go along...where did you source the panels from?

[@ramongeorge1]

love this old bus great video's good luck with the business looks like u doing well as this isn't a easy market to smash well done bro

[@gkscoob1507]

Followed Because the transitions were so clean. First video I’ve watched

[@linceypappachan2225]

Hi Sam your quality of video is quite good and the camera and sound quality is quite good. I know the process is tiresome and frustrating but the end result will be quite good eventually. Good luck to u and hope to see u on the top soon

[@mercedesmaintenance.6339]

Love your upbeat, can do manner mate. More power to you.

[@castizopilled]

great channel mate! really enjoying the w123 series (just subbed)

[@samsdetailinguk]

Thank you, Cris

[@SP00TNIC]

Well that's how you learn...by mistakes 👍😉.good job 👍👍👍🔥

[@karljokkerlukkas_974]

The W123, W114_115/8. These are cars. That to be fixed. At the beginning. They keep on giving... Rust 😉 But, Well done. At the end. Is going to last 40/50 years again. Great Combat Mercedes. Good video. Keep them coming.

[@mostchilldude]

i've got a w123, so glad to see another one on youtube

[@cosmic-uncertainty]

I love this car so much and I think keeping it away from the junkyard would be my dream too.

[@andreas9741]

Except for the Evo 2, Gullwing and CLK-GTR, Mercedes is not my thing - but this is a beauty. Everything done right. 👍

[@shamypiper]

I’m here for this 😁😁😁😁🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@dannycheung9258]

You are doing great 👍

[@leongailberger7676]

check the spot where the hood hinges are located. This is a typical rust spot on the w123 and leads to wather coming into the car and filling up the back foot room.

[@automonkey4285]

Keep going !! Hell yeah!

[@yousefkhalil8665]

Where did you get the new panels?

[@joelpalmer]

Just tuned in. Will hope you ditched the chrome wheel arches. Bravo for tackling this project!

[@nickmayfield6951]

Hey, so glad I found your video! I'm about to start chopping up my 84 W123 here in Canada. Can you tell me, where did you buy the wings and panels from? Can't seem to find anything over here. Thanks again 🙏👍😊

[@warren7032]

I had the same issue with my W123 on the rear arches. I found the Klokkerholm aftermarket panels to be the best fit

[@samsdetailinguk]

✏️ makes note of ✏️

[@XianweiTechnologies]

Hi, wanted to know where you ordered the body panel

[@nostalgiaonair1696]

Who ever is doing your video and editing most definitely knows what they doing 😀

[@ismailhitam7321]

Nice patient job

[@khaledkamaly]

this car never die ❤

[@nizamwalji1774]

this is a great series! love to see it on netflix!

[@brandonmosley766]

Great content

[@estrophy]

You work clever! 🤜🤛

[@andrewshelly6804]

I actually love the old sams logo. Is there any edition you could a special edition line of them

[@K1zz3NYT]

I fond your Channel and im stunning, your content ist awesome and your videographer is in god mode. Great Musik placement. Thumbs up, keep up the great content and vibes

[@samsdetailinguk]

Huge thank you from the whole team

[@813kevinwhite]

Good on you for just doing it body repair is not easy but when you get to understand how to bend and shrink metal it will be

[@khomol]

How positive are you!

[@william.tenold]

When it comes to rims. I would love to see some bbs rs. It can be a replic but it would have looked sick mate!

[@RymyNaInzynierce]

Hey, can you please tell me where did you buy those new replecament parts? I'm trying to repeair W123 for my father but it's hard for me to find such a good quality parts. Thanks in advance :D

[@matthewquinn4400]

This is art to me.

[@mohamedbensalah8934]

It's a lot of work pffff but you did a great job 👌💪

[@Stardubs]

13:40 “so.. I’m sending the car to scrap.” 😂

[@Nester336]

W123 for life.

[@kevinkvs9746]

That’s opening a can of worms 😯😯 good luck man

[@alimurteza3664]

Any update on this merc

[@arleegarage923]

Ohh my dream car ♥️

[@jrgendrevland9879]

do someone know the name of the rims?

[@martybelfastsri]

lol this will require patience and lots of it...the wide welds are real tricky because when you come to grind them off they have to be deep enough not to burn through almost best with a suface behind to to weld onto or against ect. but keeping it looking good both sides almost impossible..you will get there no quick fix tho took me months to get my first car ready for paint shop ect lol all a learning curve tho that youll perfect next time round ect

[@variosworld]

280e the much loved cars in nadorcity morocco, caus she had a great history here.... ❤❤❤

[@pepipetrov7568]

Don't mind the US haters in TT. Those are guys who don't know what a real car looks like . They used to put 5000cc engines on their grandparents horse carts. Only recently they started putting shock absorbers. They used road springs😀 .Guys like that giving advice on cars is..... inappropriate to say the least. Incredible job on the W123 .

[@nealhawkins6746]

Legend 🤙

[@levimaina8116]

dead man😢, waiting to see how you'll pull out of this one.But your sam, i mean🤷‍♂️

[@babybambi8389]

What's the name of the music @ 16:25min great instrumental!

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Them 123’s are pretty cool.

[@samsdetailinguk]

They're pretty cool indeed 😏

[@CarpainterAtaev]

It was great job...can you take me as an apprentice.

[@amber300c]

When can we see the next video of this Mercedes

[@rob_jarvis]

Fare play to ya keep up the good work....try use Cardboard... use it and shape it and then use the cardboard as a template on new metal...also try and cut the new panel and old panel off at the same time over lapped each other both cuts will be the same..

[@samsdetailinguk]

* takes notes * ✏️✏️✏️

[@TheHolyKaiser]

Dream car. ❤️